Heinrich Brüning

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(b. Münster, 26 Nov. 1885; d. 30 Mar. 1970) German; Chancellor of Germany 1930 – 2 Brüning took over as head of the German government at a very critical period in 1930. His right-of-centre mini-coalition replaced the SPD-led grand coalition which had fallen over disagreements about financing unemployment relief in the developing economic crisis. The little-known leader of the Catholic Centre was appointed by President von Hindenburg on the advice of the armed forces (Reichswehr). The 44-year-old bachelor was the second youngest German head of government since 1871, but looked older in his wing collar. The generals trusted him because of his war service as a much decorated lieutenant of a machine-gun company.

Hindenburg and Brüning were monarchists who rejected the Weimar system. They sought to change the reality of the constitution without altering the letter. They strove for a more presidential system which downgraded parliament. Hindenburg was prepared to use Article 48 of the constitution to secure legislation which Brüning had introduced and the Reichstag had rejected. Hindenburg could also threaten parliament with new elections if it passed a no confidence vote against Brüning. This happened, and in July 1930 elections were held which resulted in a breakthrough for the Nazis. Brüning blackmailed parliament into accepting massive cuts in public spending, reducing pensions, public sector pay, and employment, and cutting unemployment relief.

All this made his government very unpopular. His, and Hindenburg's, hope was the Centre Party could link up with the reactionary, monarchist DNVP and with Hitler's movement. When it was clear he was not the man to achieve this realignment of the right, Hindenburg dismissed him on 30 May 1932 in a three-minute interview.

After Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933 Brüning remained in parliament, being elected leader of the Centre Party. He presided over its disbandment in July 1933. Although he had been prepared to work with the new regime, he realized by May 1934 that this was not possible and fled to Holland. From 1937 to 1952 he worked as professor of politics at Harvard. From 1951 to 1954 he was professor at Cologne University, but disagreements with Adenauer led him to return to the USA.

Brüning, Heinrich (Münster, 1885-1970, Norwich, USA), was elected a member of the Reichstag in 1924 and in 1929 became leader of the Roman Catholic Centre Party (see Zentrum). In 1930, after the fall of the coalition government in consequence of the economic crisis, Brüning was appointed chancellor by President Hindenburg. The budgetary measures he proposed were rejected by the Reichstag. His decision to dissolve the House in the hope of securing a safe majority resulted in a considerable increase in the number of National Socialist deputies. Brüning, who thereafter pursued a policy of economy and retrenchment by decree, was dismissed by Hindenburg in May 1932. In July 1933 the Zentrumspartei was dissolved and in 1934 Brüning took refuge in the USA, becoming a professor at Harvard. From 1951 to 1954 he was professor of politics at Cologne University. He spent his last years in the USA. His memoirs (Memoiren, 1918-1934) were published in 1970.