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Germany Unified
Many small kingdoms, republics, and city-states united to form one nation-state. They had all shared a language and a culture for many centuries, but until this date, did not have governmental or political unity. -
Germany Enters WW1
After Austria and Serbia formally began war in July 1914, Germany, Belgium, France, and Russia entered the war on August 3, and several other nations soon thereafter. -
Kaiser Wilhelm II Abdicates
Kaiser means "emperor" — his abdication ended the German Empire and began the German Republic. -
End of WW1
World War I ended, throwing Germany into political chaos and extreme poverty. -
Treaty of Versailles
Signed on 28 June, this treaty was punitive toward both Austria and Germany, but harsher on Germany. The treaty impoverished and humiliated Germany. Some of Germany's territory was given to other countries. -
Weimar Constitution Finalized
The German Republic established itself as a parliamentary republic with proportional representation, a freely elected legislature, and universal suffrage. -
Hitler Appointed Chancellor
Normally chancellors are elected by the Reichstag, but in this case, there was a deadlock, so President Hindenburg appointed Hitler. -
Reichstag Fire
A fire destroyed the parliament building, almost certainly an act of deliberate arson. Exactly who set the fire remains debated. -
Reichstag Fire Decree
President Hindenburg signed this document which suspended rights which were otherwise guaranteed by the Weimar Constitution; Article 48 of this constitution allowed for such actions in emergency situations. -
The Enabling Act is Passed by the Reichstag
The Reichstag was the German Parliament. It voted to approve this act, giving the chancellor and his cabinet the power to make and enforce laws without consulting the Reichstag or the president. This was done because of a perceived emergency and eliminated the checks and balances of the constitutional system; such emergency powers had been written into article 48 of the Weimar Constitution. Hitler become effectively the dictator. -
Hindenburg Dies
Adolf Hitler appointed himself president, meaning that from this point onward, he was both president and chancellor. No procedural possibility to oppose Hitler remained after this. -
Nuremberg Laws Enacted
These laws placed Jews into a situation of legal and economic disadvantage. -
Annexation of Austria
Hitler's Nazi government seizes Austria. -
Hitler Annexes Sudetenland
British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain agrees to allow Hitler to seize regions of Czechoslovakia which bordered Germany. -
Kristallnacht
Mass violence against Jews, including the destruction of stores, shops, home, and 267 synagogues; other buildings belonging to Jews were damaged and vandalized. Individual Jews were attacked, beaten, and murdered. Jewish men were arrested and sent to forced labor camps.