German field marshal and right-wing politician. During World War I he was supreme commander and, with Erich von Ludendorff, practically directed Germany's policy until the end of the war. He was president of Germany 192533.
Born in Poznan of a Prussian Junker (aristocratic landowner) family, he was commissioned in 1866, served in the Austro-Prussian and Franco-German wars, and retired in 1911. Given the command in East Prussia in August 1914, he received the credit for the defeat of the Russians at Tannenberg and was promoted to supreme commander and field marshal. Re-elected president in 1932, he was compelled to invite Adolf Hitler to assume the chancellorship in January 1933.
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