Führer of the Greater German Reich

'Fuhrer' was the title of the head of state of the Greater German Reich. It translate in English as "leader".

Führer was the title granted by Chancellor Adolf Hitler to himself by law in 1934. The new position, fully named Führer und Reichskanzler (Leader and Chancellor of the (Third) Reich), unified the offices of President and Chancellor, formally making Hitler Germany's Head of State as well as Head of Government respectively; in practice, the Dictator of the Nazi German Reich.

Nazi Germany cultivated the Führerprinzip ("leader principle"), and Hitler was generally known as just der Führer, a title that would be carried by his successors.

For military matters, Hitler used the style Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht ("Leader and Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht"), until that addition was dropped by decree of the Führer. The style of the Head of State for use in foreign affairs was Führer und Reichskanzler ("Leader and National Chancellor") until it was changed to Führer des Grossdeutschen Reichs ("Leader of the Greater German Nation').

Between 1934 and 2010, the Reich saw four fuhrers. After Hitler, each fuhrer was selected by Nazi party leaders, and held office for life.


 * Adolf Hitler, 1934-1970(?)
 * Heinrich Himler, 1970(?)-1985
 * Kurt Haldweim, 1985-2010
 * Heinz Buckliger, 2010-????