Germany
30 January 1933
30 January: President of the Reich, Paul von Hindenburg appoints Adolf Hitler as Chancellor of Germany
Hindenburg appoints Hitler as Chancellor of a government of the Nazi Party and the German National People’s Party (DNVP). The Nazi Party is the strongest party in the Reichstag, the national parliament, but requires a coalition partner to form government. Hitler uses the Reichstag fire in February 1933 to enforce numerous laws, which abolish democracy and establish a dictatorship. Following Hindenburg’s death, Hitler assumes his office and takes on the title of Führer und Reichskanzler (Führer and Reich Chancellor).