Hitlers Saarbeauftragter Franz von Papen
Hitler’s Commissioner for the Saar Franz von Papen

Summary/Abstract: Franz von Papen is commonly known as the stirrup-holder for Hitler’s takeover in 1933. Less known is Papen’s role in the Nazi regime, namely as Hitler’s vice-chancellor and ambassador, determined by vassalage to the ‘Führer’. Papen, a prominent monarchist and devout catholic, who in November 1933 was nominated by Hitler Commissioner for the strictly religious catholic Saar Basin, followed his mission there to build a bridge between altar and crown, i.e. between cross and swastika. His reputation in the Saar Region rested upon his marriage with a daughter of an influential industrialist and his signature of the Concordat with the Vatican, which he had negotiated on behalf of the Reich Government in spring 1933. Papen’s influence was instrumental for the outcome of the plebiscite in the Saar Region, which was under a League of Nations mandate since 1920, and got restored to Nazi-Germany by the vote of a vast majority early 1935.

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