aug 2, 1934 - Hitler becomes Fuhrer
Description:
By the summer of 1934, the elderly German President, Paul von Hindenburg, who had been in failing health for several months had just died. Hitler used his death as a chance to seize total power in Germany. He declared himself as Fuhrer, Chancellor and Head of the Army. This made him the absolute ruler of Germany.
Causes
1. Once President Paul von Hindenburg died, his placed needed to be filled. Hitler being Chancellor and head of the Army, believed that he was the most eligible for the role and declared himself as Fuhrer. He was extremely popular and powerful, so the German people did not try to overthrow him.
2. A year before President von Hindenburg’s death all political parties apart from the Nazi Party were banned. This completely dismantled the democratic system in Germany and made it extremely easy for Hitler to become president a year later.
Effects
1. With the Nazi Party the only political party in Germany and Hitler the absolute ruler, Germany became a dictatorship. The German people were also scared of a communist takeover, so they allowed Hitler to make Germany a dictatorship.
2. As a result of Hitler becoming Fuhrer, the German Officers' Corps and every member of the German Army had to swear a personal oath of allegiance not to Germany, but to Hitler.
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