Strasser, Gregor [key], 1892–1934, German political leader. A pharmacist, he joined the National Socialist (Nazi) party in its infancy and participated in Adolf Hitler's abortive coup in 1923. After Hitler's imprisonment, he briefly led the party. As the leader of the wing of the party that emphasized a socially radical program, Strasser soon came into conflict with Hitler. In 1932 he was placed in charge of party organization, but Hitler, fearful of an alliance between Strasser and the German Chancellor Kurt von Schleicher, soon outmaneuvered Strasser and forced him to resign his party membership. In 1934, Strasser was murdered during Hitler's purge of political rivals.
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