Adolf Hitler's Rise to Power

Adolf Hitler Germany third Reich  75th anniversary chancellor  nazi party dictator holocaust
Hulton / Getty

Transfer of Power
President Hindenburg is greeted by the new Chancellor. Hindenburg died in 1934, not long after this photo was taken, but rather than hold new presidential elections, Hitler and his cabinet passed a law declaring the presidency dormant and transferred the roll and powers of the head of state to the führer, thereby giving him command of the military.

Get the Latest Photos from Time.com
Get TIME photos and pictures of the week delivered directly to your inbox.