Hitler was able to establish a dictatorship in Germany by 1934 through events like the Reichstag fire but also other events. These events were the enabling act, the general election and finally the night of the long knives.

The first and arguably the most key reason as to why Hitler was able to establish a dictatorship was because of the Reichstag fire. The Reichstag Fire took place on 27 February and the building burning was a dramatic development for the Nazis. Hitler used the event to place blame on the Communists and declared that the fire was the beginning of a Communist uprising. He demanded special emergency powers to deal with the situation and was given them by President Hindenburg. The Nazi used this power to arrest Communists, break up meetings and frighten voters. Due to many Germans thinking it was the communists, Hitler would’ve gained even more followers for the Nazi Party and an even bigger amount of power given by Hindenburg.

A week after the Reichstag fire, the general election took place. Hitler called for this for the 5 March 1933 hoping it would give him a clear majority in the Reichstag. If he could control parliament then he could create laws to tighten his grip on the nation. However, at the election, Nazis didn't win majority of the votes, therefore a coalition government was formed with the National Party. Hitler was disappointed as he needed two thirds of the seats in order to change the constitution. Although it seems as if the election