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Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles shaped Germany into the country that would cause the biggest tragedy in world history. It sparked the events leading up to the Holocaust and the second world war. -
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Events Leading Up to WWII and the Holocaust
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Beer Hall Putsch
This was Hitler's first attempt to gain power. He walked into a bar, fired a gun, and stated he was taking over. He was arrested in about an hour. He spent the next months writing Mein Kampf in prison. -
Founding of the SS
Hitler had the SS formed as the official Nazi party army. He used their power to eventually take control of Germany. -
Great Depression
The Great Depression threw Germany into a poltical, economic, and social crisis.The Great Depression created an environment for political change. -
Hitler Loses to Hindenburg in Germany's Presidential Election
Hitler lost to Hindenburg in the presidential election. The Nazis and Hitler still controlled the Reichstag. -
Hindenburg Realizes he needs Nazi Support
Despite Hindenburg's dislike of Hitler, he needed his support in the Reichstag. He appointed Hitler the Chancellor of Germany. -
Reichstag Fire
Hitler ordered the Nazis to burn down the Reichstag building. Hitler blames it on the communists. The communist are sent to the first concentration camp, Dachau. -
The Enabling Act
The Enabling Act was adoptedby Hindenburg. It gave the Chancellor additional powers over the president. -
Night of Long Knives
Hitler had the SS assassinate the members of the SA. Hindenburg would have let them live but he was gone and Hitler felt they couldn't be trustetd. -
Hindenburg Dies, age 87
Hitler took control as the President of Germany and retained his title as the Chancellor. It gave him total control over Germany. -
Nuremburg Laws are Passed
The Nuremburg Laws eliminated rights of Jews. It forced Jews into poverty and allowed the government to confiscate their property. It formed the blue prints of the Holocaust. -
Berlin Summer Olympics
The 1936 Olympics were held in Berlin. All Jewish hate signs were removed. Hitler wanted to show the world that his Aryan race was superior. They are beaten by minorities and Hitler is outraged. -
Hitler Organizes the Gustapo
Hitler organized the Gustapo, his new secret service agency. They were another division of the SS, so they adopted the SS logo. He used them to spy on German citizens to see whether they were Jewish or enemies of the state. The Gustapo did not hesitate to use violence. -
Germany Annexes Austria and Czechoslovakia
Germany declared German speaking country should be under German rule. Germany invaded Austria and Northern Czechoslovakia. The invasion is hardly noticed by other countries. -
Germany Invades Poland
When Germany invaded Poland, it sparked the beginning of WWII. England and France declared war on Germany.
