"Ja"

[RonR]

A referendum on merging the posts of Chanellor and President was held in Germany on 19 August 1934, after the death of President Paul von Hindenburg 17 days earlier. The German leadership sought to gain approval for Adolph Hitler's assumption of supreme power.

The referendum was associated with widespread intimidation of voters, and Hitler used the resultant large "yes" vote to claim public support for his activities as the de facto head of state of Germany. In fact, he has assumed these offices and powers immediately upon von Hindenburg's death and used the referendum to legitimize this move, taking the title Fuher und Reichskanzler.

A symbol of that referendum.......


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[Br. James]

Stunning artifacts, Ron; many thanks for sharing them and their history with us!

The "Ja" badge on the lower right, bearing the date of 12.11.33, supported the Reichstag election of that date, which Hitler used to his purposes. Googling "12 November 1933 Germany" provides further detail on that election and the NSDAP's efforts to gain total control of the nation. And as you mention, the position of "President of Germany" was absorbed into Hitler's grandiose title of "Führer und Reichskanzler" upon the death of Paul von Hindenburg the following summer. Even the grand President's Palace on Wilhelmstrasse in the Government Quarter of Berlin disappeared when it's contents were absorbed into the New Reichschancellery and the building itself was taken over by Ribbentrop's Foreign Ministry.

Br. James

[RonR]

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[Br. James]

A very nice photo, Ron! Where/what is this building; it isn't the President's Palace in Berlin...?

Br. James

[RonR]

Sorry, don't know the building, but here is another form of stickpin.....


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