Trump and Conservatism As A Threat: What Should Be Done?

[abaris]

No, he wasn't. He was appointed Chancellor by Hindenburg, as required by the Constitution of the Weimar Republic.

Hindenburg didn't like him. But he trusted Papen's judgment. That's why he appointed Hitler's coalition. Hindenburg certainly wasn't a republican. He wanted the monarchy back, but he wasn't fond of the Nazis either. Interesting tidbit. After the war, the Hindenburg/Hitler crisis was the reason why the German president no longer was elected by popular vote but by the representatives. The power of the office was significantly limited in order to not have another head of state being able to appoint such a government.