Schleicher, Kurt von (1882–1934)

German soldier and chancellor. A member of the Prussian nobility, he held staff posts throughout World War I, afterwards joining the Reichswehr ministry, where he became the link between the army and politicians. Schleicher engineered the elimination of the Socialists from government in 1930, then played a major role in Heinrich Brüning's fall two years later. He was minister of defence in 1932, and in December of the same year he became chancellor of Germany in succession to Franz von Papen. His government lasted only until 28 January 1933, as a result of the hostility fomented by Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. President Hindenburg refused to authorize him to dissolve the Reichstag and appointed Hitler as chancellor, and Schleicher then retired into private life. Together with his wife he was murdered during the Nazi purge of 30 June 1934.