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Major Events of WWII
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Hitler Becomes Chencellor
Hitler was appointed chancellor in Germany. He ran for president, but lost. The winner of the election took pity on him and gave him the position of Chancellor instead. -
Dachau Opened
The concentration camp of Dachau was opened, soon filled with 200 prisoners. This was among the first of the concentration camps to be opened. The prisoners were used for labor. -
The Boycott of Jewish Stores
Germans started the boycotting of Jewish stores by making the news very public. This was in response to a Jewish boycott of German stores, which did not last long. Jewish stores were identified by stars on their windows, and were usually broken into. -
Nuremberg Laws
The Nuremberg laws, giving Jews almost no rights, was put into place. These excluded the Jews from Hilter's Reich. The law was very strict as to who was a Jew; if you had any relatves that were Jewish but had never practiced Judaism yourself, you were still considered of Jewish "tainted" blood. -
Kristallnacht/The Night of Broken Glass
Nazis and Nazi sympathizers damage Jewish homes and stores. It is called the night of broken glass regarding the broken glass littering the streets after the windows and buildings were damaged. This act was not technically government sanctioned. -
Germany Invades Poland
Germany and the Soviet Union made a pact that enabled Germany to invade Poland without worry of Soviet retaliation. It took almost no time for Poland to be conquered. Germany expanded their Reich into Poland. -
Auschwitz Concentration Camp Established
Auschwitz is the most well-known and among the largest concentration camps. Construction began in mid-april to construct a place to hold prisoners. They were often forced to toil and labor to expand the camp and other jobs. -
"Final Solution" Begins
Late June of 1941, Hitler formulated a plan that the world must quickly be relieved of the non-Aryan genes. This was soon set in action among his followers. Nazi special forces entered the Soviet Union and shot jews wherever they were found. -
Liberation of Auschwitz
As news of the Soviets approach reached Auschwitz, Prisoners were sent on a death march away from the camp. Prisoners remaining in Auschwitz that were not sent on the death march were liberated. This day is recognized as International Holocaust Rememberance day.