In January 1933 Hitler became Chancellor of Germany and by August 1934 he had declared himself Führer - the sole leader of Germany. During this time Hitler eliminated all sources of opposition to himself, both within the Nazi Party and in Germany as a whole.

Initially, Hitler needed more support in the Reichstag if he was to be head of a strong government and then eventually gain absolute power, as was his aim. He therefore convinced President Hindenburg to call a new Reichstag election for March 1933. This set off a series of events that ended with Hitler becoming a dictator.