Hello, and thank you for listening to a History of World War II podcast, Episode 10, Freedom's Winter.

So in the last episode, Hitler had removed his political enemies, Rom and the essay,

and now he just had to wait for Hindenburg before he had complete freedom and control.

By the summer of 1934, Hindenburg's health was sinking quickly,

and he died August 2nd, 1934 at 9am.

He was 87 years old.

At noon the same day, it was announced on the radio by Dr. Gebbels

that the offices of the Chancellor and the President had been combined on the previous day,

while Hindenburg was still alive.

This was clearly against the Constitution.

Hitler was now the head of state and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

And it was also announced that the title of President was abolished.

From now on, Hitler would be known as the Fear and Right Chancellor.

Hitler did not, according to the Constitution, call for an election of a new President,

but he decided he would allow another plebiscite to let the people vote on the idea

of Hitler taking the President's office in powers.

That plebiscite would be on August 19th.

It was more of a popularity vote to be honest.

The deed was done, and Hitler was now the law of the land.

But just to be safe, Hitler had all the officers and soldiers in the army

swear an oath of allegiance to him, not to the country or the Constitution,

but to him personally.

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