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The Nazi party takes power in Germany. Adolf Hitler becomes prime minister of Germany.- – The Nazis set up the first concentration camp at Dachau. The first inmates are 200 Communists.
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Hitler combines the positions of chancellor and president to become ‘Fuhrer’ or leader of Germany.’ – Jewish newspapers can no longer be sold in the streets.
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Nazis boycott Jewish-owned business. – The Olympic Games are held in Germany; signs barring Jews are removed until the event is over. – Jews no longer have the right to vote.
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German troops annexed Austria. – On Kristallnacht, the ‘Night of Broken Glass,’ Nazis terrorized Jews throughout Germany and Austria – 30,000 Jews are arrested. – Jews must carry id cards and Jewish passports are marked with a “J.” – Jews no longer head businesses, attend plays, concerts, etc.; all Jewish children are moved to Jewish schools. – Jewish businesses are shut down; they must sell businesses and hand over securities and jewels. – Jews must hand over drivers’s licenses and car
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Germany takes over Czechoslovakia and invades Poland. – World War II begins as Britain and France declare war on Germany. – Hitler orders that Jews must follow curfews; Jews must turn in radios to the police; Jews must wear yellow stars of David
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Nazis begin deporting German Jews to Poland. – Jews are forced into ghettos. – Nazis begin the first mass murder of Jews in Poland. -Jews are put into concentration camps.
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Germany attacks the Soviet Union. – Jews throughout Western Europe are forced into ghettos. -Jews may not leave their houses without permission form the police. -Jews may no longer use public telephones.
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Nazi officials discuss the ‘Final Solution’ – their plan to kill all European Jews – to the government officials. -Jews are forbidden to: subscribe to newspapers; keep dogs, cats, birds, etc; keep electrical equipment including typewriters; own bicycles; buy meat, eggs, or mild; use public transportation; attend school.
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February: About 80 to 85 percent of the Jews who would die in the Holocaust have already been murdered.
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Hitler takes over Hungary and begins deporting 12,000 Hungarian Jews each day to Auschwitz where they are murdered
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Hitler is defeated and World War II ends in Europe. – The Holocaust is over and the death camps are emptied. – Many survivors are placed in displaced persons facilities.