Timeline: Hitler's Rise to Power

1918

Hitler's contribution to WWI

Adolf Hitler is fighting in WWI when he is partially blinded by mustard gas in Belgium. While recovering in a military hospital hears news of Germany signing the armistice. Hitler's desire for revenge and victory ignites.

Nov 11, 1918

Primary Document 1: Armistice

Link to OPVL

Sep 12, 1919

DAP meeting

Hitler attends a German Workers Party (DAP) which later becomes the Nazi party.

1920

Weimar Republic- Hyperinflation

There was monumental hyperinflation in Germany during the Weimar Republic due to domestic and global WWI debt/reparations. Extreme weakness and financial crisis. Led way for Hitler's seizure of power.

1923

Beer Hall Putsch

National revolution of Germany led by Hitler. The revolution fails and Hitler goes to jail for 5 months.

1925

Hitler writes Mein Kampf

While Hitler is in Jail he writes a book that explains his political and antisemitic ideologies. This is an autobiographical framework for his party and plans for the future.

1925

Primary Document 2: Mein Kampf

Link to OPVL

1929

Great Depression

The Great Depression began in 1929 and wrought worldwide economic, social, and psychological consequences. The Weimar democracy proved unable to cope with national despair as unemployment doubled from three million to six million, or one in three, by 1932. The existing "Great Coalition" government, a combination of left-wing and conservative parties, collapsed while arguing about the rising cost of unemployment benefits.
(https://fcit.usf.edu/holocaust/timeline/nazirise.htm)

Jan 30, 1933

Hitler appointed as Chancellor

Hitler was appointed chancellor by pressured Hindenburg. Germans thought they could control and manipulate Hitler through the coalition government.

Mar 22, 1933

Creation of Dachau concentration camp

The first concentration camp was built in order to contain Hitler's political opposition. AKA communists, social democrats, etc.

1934

Hitler Becomes Führer

After the death of Hindenburg, a law was passed by Hitler and his cabinet that would abolish the role of the president, and that all powers of the president would be merged with the chancellor. This gave Hitler the power to be the leader and chancellor of Germany,

1939

Hitler gives speech predicting WWII

Adolf Hitler gave a speech in the Reichstag, which is best known for the prediction he made that "the annihilation of the Jewish race in Europe" would ensue if another world war were to occur.