Why did Julius Caesar become the dictator when Rome had a republican gov.t? how did they turn into an empire?

Answer 1

Well he really didn't get the chance to become a full dictator as he was assassinated a few days in to his official rule.

However he had moved to take absolute power from the Senate and used his military power and his fame as the basis for taking full control of Rome.

During this time he had to quell the Senators and political factions that did not want him to rule and it led to a civil war which he won, forcing his chief rival to flee only to perish at the hands of the Egyptians.

Following Julius Caesar, His nephew Octavius used the military, politics and probably even a little *Sarcasm* subterfuge to take power as absolute ruler of Rome. from that day on power rested on the shoulders of an emperor not in the hands of the senate, although they continued to play a vital role in day to day affairs.

The one thing the senate feared was one man with absolute control, unfortunately for them Julius Caesar was able to take that control and break the back of the senate.

Answer 2

When Rome was in danger they effectively declared martial law and made one man reponsible for Rome's safety, the dictator. Caesar's problem is that he wanted a promotion to emperor.
After Caesar's death, civil war ensued. Augustus, rather then integrating neighbors as a sort of confederation, conquered territory, declared it Rome's property and ruled the territory from Rome, thereby creating an empire.

Answer 3

he got rid of the senate