Paul von Hindenburg and Philippe Petain: Nationalist heroes or fascist sympathizers?

Question

I notice a striking similarity between the life and career of Marshal Hindenburg of Prussia/Germany and Marshal Petain of France. Both were old-school career military men of the 19th century mold with traditional views on social values & nationalism. Both reached the apex of their popularity as heroes of World War I (on opposing sides) when they were recalled by the army after retiring prior to the war with little fanfare, (Hindenburg first retired in 1911 and first came to national attention in the decisive victory in the Battle of Tannenberg in 1914 at age 66 and became Chief of the General Staff 2 years later at age 68. Petain retired at age 58 in 1914, but became a national hero in 1916 due to the Battle of Verdun at age 60). Both entered politics late in their lives and their political involvement ruined their legacies (Hindenburg appointed Hitler as chancellor. Petain was the head of Vichy France) and their previous patriotism and achievements are now conveniently forgotten. Both lived for a long time by the standards of their time (Hindenburg lived to 87. Petain lived to 95). They even sported similar moustaches. Maxime Weygand is another example of this breed (involvement in Dreyfus Affair in the 1890s and later with Vichy France and Petain during WWII).

Are Hindenburg and Petain treated unfairly by history? Are they nationalist hero or Fascist sympathizers? Were they just archaic figures thrusted into the spotlight when they were passed their prime?

Answer 1

Hindenburg was no fascist - he despised Hitler and the Nazis,and while he might have signed off on the appointment of Hitler as Chancellor in January 1933,that was because it was part of his constitutional role as President to do so - it was the Weimar government at the time that actually appointed Hitler as Chancellor.



Petain had seen first hand the suffering of French troops in WW1,and didn't want the French people to suffer in the same way in WW2 after it became clear that the German invasion of France in 1940 was going to be successful. He was no fascist either,and collaborated with the Germans out of a sense of duty to protect the people of France from the worst potential excesses of the German occupation in WW2.



Neither were fascists,but both were essentially appeasers - and appeasement as a policy DOES NOT WORK long term.

Answer 2

You need to check your history. By the time he retired, Hindenburg was already showing signs senility. What is known is he had no love for the Nazis and though Hitler was a pipsqueak. He wasn't a fool and knew Hitler would bring the German Republic to tears "a presidential cabinet led by Hitler would necessarily develop into a party dictatorship with all its consequences for an extreme aggravation of the conflicts within the German people|.



FYI - your beloved alpha leaders are the same ones who got us into this mess. How about leaders that understand the art of negotiation.

Answer 3

I don't believe Hindenburg has been tarnished by historians. At least not to my knowledge. He was fairly... ineffective... when he was advised to appoint Hitler. Petain administered Vichy France FAR too efficiently to leave his, more dubious to begin with, reputation unscathed.