Führer - GCSE History Definition

Definition

Führer is a German word that literally means "leader" or "guide." Adolf Hitler used the term as a title to describe his position as the supreme leader of Nazi Germany from 1934 to 1945.

Explanation

The word "Führer" existed in German long before Hitler used it. It simply meant leader in a general sense. However, Hitler turned it into a formal title that represented total authority over the German people.

Hitler officially became Führer in August 1934 after President Hindenburg died. He combined the roles of Chancellor and President into one position, which he called Führer, and gave himself complete control over the government, military, and people of Germany.

The title Führer was different from the normal political titles that already existed, such as President or Prime Minister. Those titles suggest leaders who serve under laws and constitutions. Führer implied that Hitler was above any law and more important than any constitution.

Nazi propaganda promoted the idea of the Führer as an all-knowing, infallible leader. Germans were told that Hitler alone could guide the nation to greatness. This concept became known as the Führerprinzip, or "Führer principle."

The Führerprinzip meant that Hitler's word was law. Every decision, from major military campaigns to details of daily life, ultimately came from the Führer's authority. Government officials and military commanders followed Hitler's orders without question.

All German citizens and soldiers had to swear a personal oath of loyalty to Hitler as Führer. This oath was not to Germany or the constitution, but directly to Hitler himself. Breaking this oath was considered the worst form of treason.

The title Führer created a cult of personality around Hitler. His image appeared everywhere on posters, stamps, and photographs. Children were taught to worship him in schools. People greeted each other with "Heil Hitler" and the Nazi salute.

Key Historical Facts

Hitler became Führer on 2nd August 1934, the day after President Hindenburg died. He immediately merged the positions of Chancellor and President, eliminating the last check on his power. The German military swore a new oath of loyalty to Hitler personally rather than to the German constitution.

The Enabling Act of 1933 gave Hitler dictatorial powers before he took the Führer title. This law allowed Hitler to pass laws without the Reichstag's approval. It effectively ended democracy in Germany and paved the way for Hitler's absolute rule.

The German Army or Wehrmacht swore a personal oath of allegiance to Hitler, or Führereid, as a consequence of the “Night of the Long Knives”. This was the name given to the murder and imprisonment of the leaders of HItler’s private army - the SA - that occurred at the end of June 1934. By executing the SA leaders, such as Ernst Rohm, HItler removed two threats to his power in a single act. Firstly, the SA were brought into line. Under Rohm’s leadership, the SA had become critical of Hitler and had the potential to overthrow him. Secondly, it brought the Generals of the Wehrmacht on HItler’s side. The Generals had been concerned that HItler was going to disband the regular army and replace it with the SA. Hitler feared that the Generals could launch a coup d'etat against him. Once Hindenburg died at the start of August 1934, the Generals agreed to every member of the German Armed forces swearing a personal oath of allegiance to Hitler.

Hitler's official title was "Führer und Reichskanzler" until 1945. This combined "Führer" with "Reich Chancellor," though most people simply called him "Der Führer" (The Leader). The title symbolized his complete control over both party and state.

A referendum in August 1934 approved Hitler's new position. Over 89% of Germans who voted supported Hitler becoming Führer, though the vote was not free or fair. Nazi intimidation and propaganda heavily influenced the result.

The Führerprinzip created a chaotic government structure. Because Hitler's word was final, Nazi officials competed for his favour rather than following clear procedures. This led to overlapping responsibilities and power struggles within the Nazi government.

Hitler rarely attended government meetings or read detailed reports as Führer. He preferred to give general orders and let subordinates interpret his wishes. This created confusion about his exact intentions and allowed extreme policies to develop.

The title Führer was banned in Germany after World War Two. Using it in a political context became illegal because of its association with Hitler and Nazi crimes. The word itself remains part of the German language but is avoided in leadership contexts.

Other Nazi leaders were not allowed to use the title Führer. Only Hitler could be called "Der Führer." Other Nazi officials had titles like Reichsführer (Reich Leader) for Heinrich Himmler, but these were clearly subordinate to Hitler's position.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Hitler justify using the title Führer instead of President or Chancellor?

Hitler and Nazi propaganda claimed that Germany needed strong, decisive leadership that democracy could not provide. They argued that the Weimar Republic's democratic system had failed Germany, leading to economic disaster and national humiliation. The Führer title represented a new kind of leadership where one man embodied the will of the entire German people. Nazi ideology taught that the Führer had special insight into what Germany needed and that he should not be questioned or restrained. 

What was the Führerprinzip and how did it affect Nazi Germany?

The Führerprinzip, or "Führer principle," was the idea that authority flowed downward from Hitler to every level of German society. Hitler's word was absolute law, and each level of leadership below him had similar authority over those beneath them. This created a pyramid structure with Hitler at the top and ordinary Germans at the bottom. In practice, it meant that Nazi officials tried to anticipate what Hitler wanted rather than following clear rules or procedures. The Führerprinzip eliminated democratic decision-making, made Hitler personally responsible for all government actions, and encouraged subordinates to adopt increasingly extreme policies they thought Hitler would approve.

Why did Germans swear loyalty oaths directly to Hitler rather than to Germany?

The personal loyalty oath served several purposes for Hitler and the Nazi regime. It bound soldiers and officials to Hitler individually rather than to the German state or constitution. This made it much harder for anyone to justify opposing Hitler's orders, even if they disagreed with them or thought they were illegal. The oath also reinforced the idea that Hitler and Germany were inseparable - to serve Germany meant to serve Hitler. Breaking the oath was not just disobeying orders but a personal betrayal. This psychological bond helped prevent military coups and resistance movements, as many Germans felt bound by their oath even when they recognized Hitler's mistakes.

Did Hitler actually make all the decisions in Nazi Germany?

Despite the theory of Führer authority, Hitler did not personally make every decision. He often gave vague orders and let subordinates work out the details. Hitler spent much time at his mountain retreat and maintained an irregular schedule with long periods of inactivity. However, all major decisions required his approval, and he made final choices on important matters like military strategy, foreign policy, and racial persecution. The system created problems because officials sometimes guessed at what Hitler wanted rather than receiving clear instructions. This led to radicalization as Nazi leaders competed to implement what they believed were Hitler's wishes.

How did the title Führer differ from dictator titles in other countries?

While other dictators like Stalin and Mussolini had absolute power, the Führer concept was distinctly Nazi in its ideological foundation. Mussolini called himself "Il Duce" (The Leader) but didn't develop the same cult-like devotion. Stalin held multiple official titles but didn't claim his personal will transcended Soviet law. The Führer title combined political, military, and an almost spiritual authority in a way that was unique to Nazi ideology. It suggested Hitler was not just the most powerful person but the living embodiment of German destiny and racial superiority. This made opposition to Hitler seem like betrayal of Germany itself, not just disagreement with government policy.

Related Glossaries

Authority

Constitution

Dictatorship

Democracy

Republic