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Adolf Hitler is Now the Leader of Germany
In January 1933 Adolf Hitler becomes chancellor of a coalition government, the Nazi's now have a third of the seats in the Reichstag. He did this by gaining the trust of the people in Germany and winning their support. He then starts the Nazi party and it grows exponentially to take over. -
Germany Leaves the League of Nations
In October 1933 Hitler decides to withdraw from the League of Nations and he ignores the arms restrictions that the Treaty of Versailles forced on Germany. -
Germany Starts Rationing
In August 1939 ration stamps were sent to every citizen and covered all the necessary things to live. This was to help the war effort to save food for the military. German diets now mainly consisted of bread, potatoes, and preserves. -
Germany Invades Poland
Germany invades Poland on September 1st 1939 marking the start of World War II -
Battle of Bzura
On September 9th, 1939 the Poland army initiated the Battle of Bzura but the Germans won this battle by regaining control over the battlefield. The Poland army was outnumbered and they retreated towards Warsaw. The estimated amount of German casualties is 8,000, and the significance of the battle is that it was the largest battle of the 1939 German invasion of Poland. -
Auschwitz Concentration Camp
Auschwitz was the largest death camp opened by the German leader Adolf Hitler. Over the course of the war 1.1 million people were killed at this concentration camp. -
France Falls to Germany
France signs an armistice, surrendering to Germany. The French decided to sign this in order to make peace with the Germans instead of continuing fighting. Many French people thought the government let the people down and the the people continued to fight back. -
Battle of Britain
The the Battle of Britain fought between Germany and Britain was fought by aerial forces only. Britain won this battle and 2,662 German soldiers died. This was the first major battle to be fought entirely by air forces. This also marked Hitler's first defeat of his military forces. -
Axis Powers are Formed
On September 27th 1940 Germany, Italy, and Japan join together to form the Axis Powers by signing the Tripartite Pact in Berlin. -
Women Called to Serve Germany
In Germany most men were serving in the war and women started working in factories producing aircraft, ammunition, weapons and other goods for the war. They worked long hours but were being payed less then the men had been paid for the same job. Women also helped work on the fields at the farms. 90% of able bodied women were engaged in some kind of work for the war. -
Germany Attacks Russia
In June of 1941 Germany breaks the peace pact and the German invasion of Russia begins. -
Battle of Moscow
German forces wanted to invade Moscow by a plan they called Operation Barbarossa. The Axis powers destroyed most of the Soviet Air force and advanced nearly 200 miles close to Moscow. Germany lost this battle and it prevented Germany from reaching the coveted capitol of Moscow. It was also a turning point in the war for Germany because they gave everything they could to defeat Russia before winter hit. It is debated that there were between 248,000 to 400,00 German Causalities. -
Treblinka II Opens
In the Spring of 1942 the Nazi extermination camp Treblinka II opens and around 850,000 people die here throughout the war. -
Battle of Kursk
The Battle of Kursk the largest tank battle in history was fought around the Soviet city of Kursk in Germany. Adolf Hitler delayed the start of the battle and this allowed for Russia to assemble leading the German's defeat at this battle. The German forces suffered 200,000 casualties and lost 500 tanks. If Germany would have won this battle it is possible that they could have easily turned the tide of the war and win the war. -
Battle of Berlin
In the Battle of Berlin 92,000 German soldiers died. The German's surrendered to the Soviet Union, and its significance is that is that it ultimately ended Germany's involvement in World War II with Adolf Hitler's death. -
Germany Surrenders
On May 7th 1945 Germany signed an unconditional surrender at the Allied headquarters in Reims France, ending their involvement in World War II. -
Division of Germany
After the war Germany was split into four sectors but the three zones controlled by France, the UK, and the US merged to form the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Soviet zone became the German Democratic Republic. This would last for the next 40 years.
