Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg , known generally as Paul von Hindenburg ( [ ˈpaʊl fɔn ˈhɪndn̩bʊɐ̯k ] ; 2 October 1847 -- 2 August 1934 ) was a German military officer , statesman , and politician who largely controlled German policy in the second half of World War I and served as the elected President of Germany from 1925 until his death in 1934 . He played the key role in the Nazi `` Seizure of Power '' in January 1933 by appointing Hitler chancellor of a `` Government of National Concentration '' , even though the Nazis were in the minority in cabinet . He and his deputy Erich Ludendorff then led Germany in a de facto military dictatorship throughout the remainder of the war , marginalizing German Emperor Wilhelm II as well as the German Reichstag ( Parliament . ) Hindenburg retired again in 1919 , but returned to public life in 1925 to be elected the second President of Germany . He dissolved the Reichstag twice in 1932 and finally , under pressure , agreed to appoint Hitler Chancellor of Germany in January 1933 .
Paul von Hindenburg was an official.