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After the first world war the world's different economies were not thriving. In Germany there was hyperinflation, which basically means money meant nothing, and the rest of the world was struggling in the Great Depression. Which led to the NSDAP, also known as the Nazi party, to be able to influence the German people. -
The Nazi party officially came into power when the president of Germany, Paul von Hindenburg, appointed Adolf Hitler the position of Chancellor of the German Reich. -
President Hindenburg passes away while in office Click here for more information. After his passing there is no one elected to take his position leaving Hitler in control of the Reich. Inevitably giving him the power to invade different countries and start World War 2. -
While in power Hitler effectively fixed the economic problems in Germany as well as rebuilt the German military force, which was taken from them after The Treaty of Versailles. With this power Hitler annexed surrounding countries including Austria, the Sudetenland, among other countries. -
Germany invades Poland which is the event that set WWII in motion after the violation of the Munich Pact put in place by the German leaders and Nevelle Chamberlain. Which stated that Germany would not invade Poland. -
Two days after Poland was invaded Britain and France declared war on Germany. There was a period of about six months were nothing happened this is referred to as the "Phony War" since the countries who declared war did nothing. -
While this was happening the USA remained neutral until the Japanese military attacked the Pearl Harbor Naval base. Not 24 hours later President Roosevelt and Congress declared war on the Axis powers bringing us into the Second World War. -
Up until American military forces entered WW2 the axis powers were winning. After the entry of our military forces we turned the tide at the Battle of Midway. After this win the war did not last much longer. -
When the war was coming to a close Adolf Hitler made the decision to end his own life via gunshot wound to the head. Along with his significant other. At the time of his death the war had not ended. Even after this event Japan did not surrender. -
After the Axis powers, excluding Japan, surrendered the US gave Japan multiple warnings that if they did not surrender that we would drop a "secret weapon" on them. They did not surrender which led to us dropping the Atomic bombs on Hiroshima first and Nagasaki three days later. Japan did not surrender until September 2, 1945. Effectively ending World War 2.