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Treaty of Versailles is signed
The Treaty of Versailles finalized the end of WWI and also issued a series of extreme punishments to Germany. As a result, Germany entered a 'crisis state'. This also led to the popularization of the 'stab in the back theory' which suggested that Germany's loss in the war was due to enemies on the home front (e.g. Jews).
Hitler was not directly connected to this event aside from his role in the war as a soldier. This also created resentment for him and a basis for his ideology later. -
Hitler becomes the chairman of the NSDAP
Hitler had become an extremely important member of his party because of his powerful speeches. In 1921 he managed to become the chairman of the German workers' party, which then became the National Socialist German workers' party (NSDAP). This signaled an important step to Hitler's rise to power, providing his vessel to power. The party ultimately represented Hitler's ideology and allowed him to rise up the political ranks. -
Beer Hall Putsch
Hitler along with the SA (Nazi Storm Troopers), WWI leader Erich Ludendorff, and some locals attempted to overthrow the government. They marched on the Feldherrnhalle from a beer hall in Munich. The coupe failed but it brought national attention to Hitler for the first time. -
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Hitler's Prison Stay
Due to his role in the Beer Hall Putsch Hitler was put on trial and given 5 years of which he only served 9 months. At the trial, Hitler leveraged the exposure to promote his ideology. Additionally, during his prison stay he wrote "Mein Kampf" -
"Mein Kampf" is published
"Mein Kampf" is Hitler's manifesto which reveals his political beliefs and ideologies as well as his future plans for Germany and the world. The book later became a guideline for the things to come, becoming known as the "Bible of Nazism". -
The SS is formed
At its formation, the SS was meant to be Hitler's personal guard. However, as time went on they became both the elite guard of the Reich and Hitler's executive force tasked with all security duties. The SS ultimately became an important part in supporting Hitler's reign. -
The New York Stock Market crashes
Prior to the stock market crash, business was booming. People were buying and selling stocks in excess and eventually the banks had lent too much money. As a result, the stock market crashed and the Nation was thrust into a period of widespread poverty. Without money, America could no longer invest in Germany and they were also thrust into even deeper poverty. As a result, the incompetence of the German government began to show and it allowed Hitler's party to gain more popularity. -
Heinrich brüning takes charge of Germany
The Great Depression thrust Germany into an economic crisis and in an attempt to mitigate its effects Heinrich Brüning was appointed chancellor. Brüning implemented a deflationary economic policy which backfired and thrust Germany further into poverty. In response to backlash, Brüning invoked article 48 which caused even more outrage. As a result, people turned to extremist parties such as the NSDAP.
Hitler did not play a major role in this event, but it did help bring attention to his party. -
Herman Göring becomes president of the Reichstag
In 1928, Hitler chose Herman Göring to run for a seat in the Reichstag. Due to the party's exponential rise in power, Göring not only got a seat but became president of the Reichstag with a majority of the votes. Göring became an important link between Hitler and the aristocracy and utilized his new position to manipulate events in the party's favor. -
Hitler becomes chancellor
With Nazi power rising and support for the government waning, President Paul von Hindenburg decided that Hitler was the only person that would gather sufficient enough support to be an effective leader. As a result, Hitler was appointed chancellor in 1933. This put Hitler in a high enough position that he was able to begin implementing changes according to the Nazi plan for German unification and power. -
Reichstag fire
Four weeks after Hitler's appointment as chancellor, an unemployed Dutch worker set fire to the Reichstag Building, home of the German parliament. Hitler leveraged this situation to his benefit, claiming communists had set fire to the building. As a result, Hitler was able to instate emergency powers to crush all his opponents. This event also allowed Hitler to create the enabling act soon after. -
The Enabling Act is passed
In the panic caused by the Reichstag fire Hitler was able to claim emergency powers and pass the Enabling Act. The act allowed the Reich to pass laws without the consent of Parliament. Ultimately, the act laid the foundation for the complete Nazification of the country, signaling the beginning of Hitler's reign.