How was Hitler able become Fuhrer of Germany by August 1934? (10 Marks)

There were a number of events which enabled Hitler to declare himself Fuhrer by August 1934. In February 1933 the Reichstag was set on fire. It was believed that this was an attack by a Communist, and as a result, Hitler was able to convince Hindenburg to pass an Emergency Decree which meant that Hitler was able to imprison many Communist leaders. This prevented them from campaigning in the upcoming election. The Nazi party was able to win 288 seats, however they still required the use of intimidation by the SA to ensure that two thirds of the Reichstag voted to pass the Enabling Act. Once this was passed, it provided Hitler with the power to pass laws without the Reichstag’s consent. This was a major development in Hitler becoming Fuhrer as it removed the Reichstag as a source of opposition. With the use of the Enabling Act he banned all political parties, except the Nazis, making Germany a one-party state, here removing all other external political opposition. 
Between June 1933 and the August 1934, Hitler worked to further consolidate his power. He worked to infiltrate regional governments by placing Nazis in each area of Germany. He also removed opposition which he felt he faced within the Nazi party in a series of murders which became known as ‘The Night of the Long Knives’. Hitler ordered the SS to kill a number of his opponents including Ernst Rohm, the leader of the SA, and around 400 of its members. This was a clear exercise of Hitler’s willingness to use brutality in order to remove opposition, including that within the Nazi party itself. Hitler took a number of other steps to consolidate power such as banning Trade Unions, however, the final step in Hitler becoming Fuhrer was the death of President Hindenburg. With Hindenburg dead, Hitler merged the roles of chancellor and president, making him head of the army and providing him with the position of Fuhrer – ‘absolute leader’.