Weimar and Nazi Germany (1918-1939): The Death of President Hindenburg

Hindenburg was the President of Germany, but by the 1930s he was well into his 80s. He was old and frail and on August 2^nd 1934, he died.

Hitler used the death of the President to merge to offices of Reich President with that of Reich Chancellor. He announced that he was now Führer and all soldiers must now swear an oath to Hitler. This move was supported by a public vote in mid August which confirmed Hitler’s decision. 90% of Germans approved of this, but the voters faced significant propaganda from the Nazis, and SS troops were near polling stations to encourage a positive vote.

The removal of the office of President and Hitler has Chancellor marked the end of the Weimar Republic and the beginning of the Third Reich.