A referendum on merging the posts of Chancellor and President was held in Germany on 19 August 1934,[1] after the death of President Paul von Hindenburg seventeen days earlier. The German leadership sought to gain approval for Adolf Hitler's assumption of supreme leadership. The overwhelmingly positive result of this referendum allowed Hitler to claim public support for his activities as the Führer and de factoHead of State of Germany. In fact, he had assumed these offices and powers immediately upon von Hindenburg's death and used the referendum to legitimate this move, taking the title Führer und Reichskanzler (Führer and Chancellor).
