Hitler's Power
Due to the Depression in Germany at the time, there was vulnerability to extremism, which allowed Hitler to rise to power. Hitler began campaigning against Paul von Hindenburg. Although Hitler was popular among the people, Hindenburg won. Hindenburg selected Hitler as chancellor, however, which gave him opportunity to shape the government. The newly appointed chancellor would use his position of power to tailor the rules to his benefit and belief. By making the Enabling Act, Hitler gave himself and his government the power to make decisions on their own, and even make changes to the country's constitution. Hitler was also able to limit people's and send them to jail without a hearing by passing the Reichstag Fire Decree. To guarantee absolute power, Hitler and the Nazi Party intimidated the other parties currently in Germany to back down. Adolf Hitler had more power and the Nazi Party was the only political party left.
Military opposition was also punished. The demands of the SA for more political and military power led to the Night of the Long Knives, which took place from June 30 to July 2, 1934. Ernst Röhm and other SA leaders, along with a number of Hitler's political enemies, were rounded up and shot.
The day before Hindenburg's death in August 1934, the cabinet had enacted a law abolishing the office of president and combining its powers with those of the chancellor. Hitler thus became head of state as well as head of government, and was formally named as leader and chancellor. As head of state, Hitler became supreme commander of the armed forces. He began to mobilize for war. Germany withdrew from the League of Nations, and Hitler announced a massive expansion of Germany’s armed forces.
The day before Hindenburg's death in August 1934, the cabinet had enacted a law abolishing the office of president and combining its powers with those of the chancellor. Hitler thus became head of state as well as head of government, and was formally named as leader and chancellor. As head of state, Hitler became supreme commander of the armed forces. He began to mobilize for war. Germany withdrew from the League of Nations, and Hitler announced a massive expansion of Germany’s armed forces.