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The Treaty of Versailles ended World War I but imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including territorial losses, military restrictions, and heavy reparations. The treaty fueled German resentment and economic hardship, setting the stage for the rise of Adolf Hitler. -
The U.S. stock market crash triggered a worldwide economic collapse. In Germany, the Depression was catastrophic unemployment soared, banks failed, and millions were left in poverty. The economic instability caused by the Depression directly contributed to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. Many Germans turned to radical ideologies out of desperation. The Depression also weakened democracies across Europe and made authoritarian solutions appear more attractive. -
Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany, marking the beginning of Nazi rule. Soon after, he consolidated power, banning opposition parties and establishing a totalitarian regime.Economic crisis, political instability, and the rising popularity of the Nazi Party contributed to his rise.Fear of communism also led many business leaders and politicians to support the Nazis. This event paved the way for Nazi totalitarian rule, political repression, and ultimately, World War II. -
The Holocaust was the genocide of six million Jews by Nazi Germany. It began with
discrimination,boycotts, and laws such as the Nuremberg Laws, which stripped Jews of citizenship. with the outbreak of war, mass shootings and deportations began. It reveals the dangers of totalitarianism, racism, and apathy. It also had profound consequences for international law, leading to the creation of genocide as a crime and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights after the war. -
Hitler sent German troops into Austria to carry out the Anschluss a union between Germany and Austria. Many Austrians welcomed the unification, while others were silenced or arrested. The annexation was illegal under the Treaty of Versailles, but the Western powers did nothing to intervene.The Anschluss greatly strengthened Germany’s strategic position in Europe and emboldened Hitler. -
Germany invaded Poland using blitzkrieg tactics fast-moving tanks, infantry, and airstrikes. Within weeks, Poland was conquered. On September 17, the Soviet Union also invaded from the east under the terms of the Nazi-Soviet Pact. Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3, marking the beginning of WWII in Europe. -
Germany bypassed France’s Maginot Line by invading Belgium. In just six weeks, France fell. Paris was occupied, and an armistice established the Nazi-controlled northern zone and the Vichy regime in the south.This collapse shocked Europe and left Britain standing alone against Nazi Germany in Western Europe. -
The German Luftwaffe launched a massive bombing campaign against Britain, aiming to gain air superiority before a planned invasion The Royal Air Force using radar and tactical brilliance, held off the German assault. The first major defeat of Nazi Germany. Britain’s resistance inspired occupied Europe and ensured a Western front would remain open for a future Allied return. -
Hitler launched the largest military invasion in history against the Soviet Union, breaking the Nazi-Soviet Pact. Germany quickly advanced deep into Soviet territory but faced growing resistance. The invasion stalled near Moscow due to logistical problems and the brutal Russian winter. It turned the USSR into a key Allied power and forced Germany to fight a war on two fronts. -
German and Finnish troops encircled Leningrad, cutting off food, fuel, and supplies. The siege lasted 872 days and resulted in over 1 million civilian deaths. Despite unimaginable suffering, the city never surrendered. The siege showcased Soviet resilience and tied down German forces in a long and costly battle, weakening Germany’s Eastern offensive. -
In one of the bloodiest battles ever, German forces tried to capture the industrial city of Stalingrad. The Soviets encircled the city and launched a counterattack, trapping the German 6th Army. Hitler refused to allow retreat, leading to catastrophic losses. The battle was a major turning point in the war. After this defeat, Germany began a steady retreat on the Eastern Front. -
After the Allies invaded Sicily and Mussolini was overthrown, Italy signed an armistice with the Allies. In response, Germany occupied northern Italy and reinstated Mussolini as the leader of the Italian Social Republic. Italy switched sides, and a new front opened in southern Europe. This diverted German troops and prolonged the war. -
The Allies launched Operation Overlord, landing over 150,000 troops on the beaches of Normandy. Despite strong German defenses, the Allies broke through and began the liberation of France. D-Day was the largest invasion in history and marked the beginning of the Allied push into Nazi-occupied Western Europe. -
French Resistance forces in Paris rose up against the German occupiers. Allied forces arrived to support the uprising, and Paris was liberated without being destroyed, unlike many other cities. Symbolic and emotional victory. It boosted Allied morale and marked the collapse of German control in Western Europe -
The Battle of Berlin was the final major offensive in the European theater of World War II. Soviet Red Army,launched a massive assault on the German capital. Millions of Soviet troops surrounded and entered the city from the east, facing desperate German resistance, including the last remnants of the Wehrmacht, SS units, and even child soldiers from the Hitler Youth. Berlin was heavily bombarded and became a scene of brutal urban warfare, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble.