Hitler was democratically elected as a member of the Reichstag, leader of the largest, tho not overall majority, party, which was why Hindenberg had to appoint him Chancellor. So to that extent he could be said to have been elected -- not as national leader, but as member of the Reichstag. All followed from there: he manoeuvred his status as Chancellor to make himself de facto The Big Banana with the help of some brownshirted persuaders patrolling the streets to rough up anyone who seemed to object. Unfortunately, in the confused situation following Hindenberg's death, the ploy worked, & he emerged as Der Führer

~M~