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Signing of the Treaty of Versailles
After WW1, Germany was forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles that set up boundaries for the country. It included they take full responsibility for starting WW1(war guilt clause), lost 13% of pre-war territories, and also had to spend over approximately 300 billion dollars in reparation payments to countries involved. This short video explains how the terms of the Treaty of Versailles were agreed upon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrYhLNQMRro -
Adolf Hitler Becomes Leader of Nazi Socialist Party
When Hitler became the leader of the Nazi party, it was the first step he took to becoming the leader of Germany. Hitler had a natural public speaking voice and was able to capture the attention of many Germans by framing topics in certain ways. For example, he gave many speeches emphasizing that Germany needs to be stronger and more unified while putting all of the blame of hardships on the Jews. While he was only the leader of the Nazi party, this was the just the beginning of Hitler. -
Mein Kampf was Published
Mein Kampf was an autobiography of Hitler and outlined his political ideology, his future plans for Germany, and described how he became antisemitic. While this book was written during his time in prison it soon became very popular and even was given to every newlywed couple as a wedding gift. By the beginning of WW2, it had been translated into 11 languages, which made it available to the majority of people. It aided Hitler's ideas and reached a large audience, selling over 5 million copies. -
The Great Depression
When Wall Street crashed in the U.S it greatly impacted Germany since American banks were supporting the German economy. By 1932, more than 6 million people were left unemployed and the country started to spiral, especially since Germany still had to repay the allies from World War 1. While Germany was just starting to become stable after WW1, the crash had sent Germany back into crisis. -
Germans Elect Nazis
During the Great Depression, people were desperate and this was the time for Hitler to shine. He knew how to talk to the audience and knew exactly what to say in order to gain people's trust and support. This was especially important for Hitler and the Nazi's during the campaigning period, and by September 14, 1930 him and his socialist party were elected to lead the tired, miserable and hopeless people in Germany. -
First Concentration Camp Opened in Germany
The first camp to open was Dachau in March of 1933 used for political prisoners. What separates it from prison is that it was run outside of the judicial system. The main use of early concentration camps was to detain leaders of political, social, and cultural movements that the Nazis perceived as threats. The organization and structure of this camp set the standard for all future camps. Video of more info below
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/animated-map/dachau-concentration-camp -
Nazi Boycott Jewish Owned Shops
While this may not be the most important event, it is a public action led by an influential leader clearly discriminating against one group of people. This naturally, subconsciously or not, changed people's view of Jews and they became less accepted until their businesses were being targeted, which later turns into a reality (Kristallnacht). -
Nazi Party Declared Germany’s Only Political Party
When Hitler became the leader of the Nazi party, he formulated a program that abandoned the Treaty of Versailles, so he could expand German territory. Later when he felt his party was strong enough, they attempted the Beer Hall Putsch, an unsuccessful attempt to "take control of the Bavarian state government in the hope that it would trigger a nationwide insurrection against the Weimar Republic." He was imprisoned but when he came back, he promised to achieve power through legal ways only. -
Adolf Hitler Becomes Fuhrer of Germany
"Führer" in German is similar to "Leader" in English, so when Hitler became the Führer of Germany he was able to make all sorts of decisions that forever impacted Germany. The Beer Hall Putsch was a major event that helped secure Hitler's postion as leader. -
Hitler Violates Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was written in order to hold Germany accountable for World War 1. Hitler violated this Treaty in 3 different ways.
1. March troops into Rhineland - declared a demilitarized zone
2. Was only allowed to have a military of 100,00 men - turned it into 300,000 men
3. Stopped paying reparations and went further into debt -
German Jews stripped of rights by Nuremberg Race Laws
2 laws were passed that continued the antisemitic Nazi beliefs. They were called the Reich Citizenship Law and the Law for the Protection of German Blood and German Honor. These laws continued to push Hitler's beliefs onto Germany, but people not impacted (Aryans) by this were not opposed to these segregated beliefs. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Accessed January 18, 2019. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/nuremberg-laws. -
German Gestapo is placed above the law
By the German Gestapo being placed above the law, this means they could do anything and get away with it, as long as it aligned with Hitler's beliefs. The Gestaopo was also used to silence Hitler's political opponents in Berlin and other surrounding areas to increase his own personal power. The History Place - World War II in Europe Timeline. Accessed January 18, 2019. http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/triumph/tr-gestapo.htm. -
Night of the broken glass - Kristallnacht
This was a public act of aggression towards the Jews and killed over 100 of them, burned synagogues, and vandalized Jewish homes, schools and businesses. Like the Nuremberg Laws, it had become clearer than ever that Jews were not welcomed, and seen as people unworthy of equal respect. This further propelled the imbalance between people in Germany and created lots of tension. -
Nazis Invade Poland
Part of the Treaty of Versailles listed that Germany was not to invade another country, so when Hitler invaded Poland, it quickly became international news that sparked the start of World War 2. -
Battle of the Atlantic begins
This was the struggle between the Allied and German forces to take control of the Atlantic Ocean. It involved the Allies needing to keep the flow of men from America to Europe, but Germany wanted to cut all of those supply lines. It became the longest battle in World War 2, lasting from the declaration of war from Britain against Germany, all the way to Germany's defeat in 1945. Below is the reference:
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/historical-sheets/atlantic. -
Soviet Union Expelled from League of Nations
The Soviet Union became part of the League of Nations in 1934, but was expelled in 1939 due to their aggression against Finland. -
Winston Churchill becomes British Prime Minister
Winston Churchill became the British prime minister from 1940-145, and then again later on from 1950-1955. He most known for successfully Britain through World War 2, for the encouraging speeches he made, and his perseverance through difficult times. "Churchill Becomes Prime Minister." History.com. February 09, 2010. Accessed January 18, 2019. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/churchill-becomes-prime-minister. -
Dunkirk Evancuation Ends
From May 27th 1940 to June 3rd 1940, Allied troops were held hostage by the Germans. When the German advanced through Northern France, it cut off British troops from the French. Shortly after, the Germans trapped the troops by the Ocean until the Allied forces came up "Operation Dynamo", which ultimately saved them from defeat. -
German Blitz Against Britain Begins
This was when Nazi Germany bombed London and other British cities during the night. The raids followed the failure of the German Luftwaffe to defeat Britain's Royal Air Force in the Battle of Britain. -
Operation Barbarossa Begins
Operation Barbarossa began which was when German troops invaded the Soviet Union but failed which ended up being a major turning point for World War 2.
