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End of World War One
The repercussions that Germany faced would come to be the cause of Hitler's rise to power and the atrocities committed against many minority groups such as Jews and Gypsies. Germany served as a scapegoat for Word War One, facing hefty fines from the allied forces and constrictive laws concerning the military that essentially rendered the country defenseless. Widespread poverty would push all citizens to political extremes and cause hostility between the people of Germany to skyrocket. -
First Concentration Camp Opens
In March of 1933, shortly after Hitler became Chancellor, Dachau was the first concentration camp opened in Germany. Contrary to popular belief, it was not originally built for Jews. It held political opponents of the National Socialist Party. Over time, homosexuals, Gypsies, Jehovah's Witnesses, and criminals joined the prisoners. It held more than ten thousand Jews at one point, but many of them left when they showed proof of planned emigration. -
Adolf Hitler's Rise to Power Begins
In 1933 a man named Adolf Hitler was made chancellor of Germany. He was a veteran and very charismatic, quickly winning support of Germany's conservatives and forming a new party: The National Socialists. Best of all for his followers, his radical ideology had somebody to blame for their country's suffering. The Jews. Antisemitism would reach a climax. Hatred of Israel's people had always existed in Europe, and plenty of Germans were quick to foster hatred for the Jews. -
German Army is Rebuilt
In violation of the treaty of Versailles, Hitler rebuilt the army. With 2,500 planes in the Luftwaffe and 300,000 men in the Wehrmacht, Germany posed a serious threat. France retaliated defensively, building a long system of trenches. Britain was just out of an economic depression and did nothing. -
Munich Pact is Signed
Neville Chamberlain and Edouard Daladier gave Nazi Germany Sudentenland, a region of Czechoslovakia. They were also promised 66% of Czechoslovakia's coal and 70% of iron, steel, and and electrical power. This was done to attempt to stop Hitler from invading more countries. However, Czechoslovakia was left vulnerable from the materials and land they had given up. Hitler later invaded the rest of the weakened country. -
Capture of Poland
With an alliance with the Soviet Union, Germany charged from one side while the Russians attacked from the other. Poland was crushed and split up between the two superpowers. Britain and France declared war. -
Capture of France
The french were anticipating an attack, but guessed incorrectly at where it would be fought. The Germans circled around France's defenses without much confrontation and took Paris. -
Alliances
The Tripartite pact was an alliance between Japan, Germany, and Italy. All three expressed interest in creating large empires. Germany would take most of Europe, Italy would get the Mediterranean sea, and Japan would get eastern Asia and the Pacific. -
Attack on Russia
With France captured, Germany turned to attack Russia. They made considerable ground, causing mass damage. The Russians, in desperation, employed every able-bodied man and woman to fight. However, when winter struck the Nazi troops were stalled. Allowing the Russian army to push them out of the Soviet Union. -
War is declared on America
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Germany declared war on America shortly after Japan had. The Axis Powers had hoped for a quick victory, but the United States quickly recovered and sent soldiers to fight on both fronts. -
Fall of Italy
The fascist leader of Italy, Mussolini, had already been removed from power. The new leader of Italy had been speaking with General Eisenhower about a new alliance. When allied powers landed on the southern tip of Italy, they met no Italian resistance. -
D day
Allied forces landed on northern french beaches and pressed onward, they sought to remove France from Nazi control, both freeing an old ally and surrounding Germany on all sides. -
Battle of The Bulge
Germany attempted to defeat the allies on the western front. They swept through the Adrennes, securing a good amount of land and nearly destroying the few divisions that were stationed there. The allies won with high casualties, but most importantly the Nazis had lost almost their entire army. -
Aftermath of German surrender
With Germany's surrender, the US could turn it's full forces to Japan. The war wouldn't last much longer. -
March on Berlin
Russian troops marched on Berlin, cutting easily through the weakened country. As the city was attacked, Hitler committed suicide inside a bunker. The Germans surrendered soon after. -
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