PDF file: History - Advanced Higher - Germany - Education Scotland

A quarter of an hour later I stood before the President … ‘You cannot possibly leave
an old man like me in the lurch’ … Such a call, I felt transcended party obligations. I
clasped the Field Marshal’s hand. Schleicher, who had been waiting in the next
room, came in to offer his congratulations.
Source G
The pastoral letter of the Bishops in Prussia on the subject of the elections of 31 July,
1932.
The imminent elections of deputies to the German Reichstag are of great importance,
not only in the political context but also on account of the influence of legislators and
the Government on the promotion and protection of religious interests and the
position of the Church in the life of the nation. This lays on all Catholic Christians
the patriotic duty of exercising their vote in a manner befitting the responsibility of a
true citizen and a faithful Catholic Christian.
Vote for deputies whose character and attested attitude bear witness to their
commitment to peace and social welfare, and to the protection of confessional
schools, the Christian religion and the Catholic Church. Beware of agitators and
parties which are not worthy of the trust of the Catholic people.
Source H
Otto Meisner gives evidence to the Nuremberg Tribunal in 1946.
Schleicher came to Hindenburg with a demand for emergency powers as a
prerequisite of action against the Nazis. Furthermore, he believed it necessary to
dissolve, and even temporarily eliminate, the Reichstag, and this was to be done by
presidential decrees on the basis of Article 48 - the transformation of his government
into a military dictatorship … Schleicher first made these suggestions to Hindenburg
in the middle of January 1933, but Hindenburg at once evinced grave doubts as to its
constitutionality. In the meantime von Papen had returned to Berlin, and by
arrangement with Hindenburg’s son had had several interviews with the President …
Source I
A Rhineland newspaper reports on the growing political crisis late January 1933.
Reich Chancellor von Schleicher today informed the Reich President…that the
present national government would be unable to defend itself vis a vis the Reichstag if
it did not obtain in advance the power to dissolve parliament. Reich President von
Hindenburg stated that he could not grant this proposal because of current
conditions. Reich Chancellor von Schleicher then announced the resignation of the
government … Reich President von Hindenburg summoned former Chancellor von
Papen and requested him to clarify the political situation and to suggest possible
procedures.
History: Germany: Versailles to the Outbreak of World War II - 1918-1939 (AH) 65