Heinrich Brüning

Heinrich Brüning was a German politician and economist who served as Chancellor from 1930 to 1932 during the Weimar Republic. Facing the Great Depression, he aimed to stabilize the economy through austerity measures, cutting government spending and increasing taxes. His policies, however, deepened economic hardship and social unrest, which contributed to the rise of Nazi extremism. Brüning's reliance on presidential decree rather than parliamentary votes marked a shift toward authoritarian governance, ultimately weakening democracy in Germany during a turbulent period leading up to World War II.