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Adolf Hitler Chancellor of Germany
In January, Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany. In February, German Parliament burns down. The first concentration camp, Dachau, opens in March. Throughout the following months, the Enabling Act was passed, re-establishment of laws, and books were burned. Click here -
The Rise of Nazi Germany
Between 1934 and 1935, Hitler declares himself the dictator. In December of 1934, the Inspectorate of Concentration Camps formalizes the centralization of concentration camps that took place in July. In April of 1935, Hitler bans Jehovah's Witness Organizations. In mid-September, the first anti-Jewish laws were passed- now taking citizenship from Jewish people. Germany began defining "Jews" as anyone with three Jewish grandparents or someone identifying as a Jew with two Jewish grandparents. -
Buchenwald
The Buchenwald concentration camp opens. -
Jewish Oppression
Jews were mandated to register all property. Later within the year, Jewish passports were marked with a large "J" to restrict Jewish immigration. Shortly after, Jewish students were expelled from German schools. -
European Involvement
In January, Hitler announces to the public that the war would be ending the European Jewry. In March, Germany occupies Czechoslovakia. In May, over 900 passengers board St. Louis for Cuba. Being denied entry, they are sent back to Europe and only 2/3 survive the Holocaust. In August, the German-Soviet Pack is signed - Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union can control parts of Europe and will not attack each other for a decade. -
War Begins
World War 2 begins. Germany invades Poland with over 16,000 causalities. In October, Nazi Germany establishes the first Polish ghetto in Piotrkow. Shortly after, Jewish people were forced to wear an arm band or yellow star. -
German Control
Early within the year, Germans invade Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. Auschwitz Concentration Camp is established in May, with Neuengamme concentration camp opening shortly after. In June, 728 Polish prisoners from Tarnow arrive at Auschwitz. As France surrenders, the Battle of Britain begins. Belgium opens the Breendonck concentration camp. To end the year, the Warsaw Ghetto was sealed, containing 500,000 people. -
Jewish Fate
January had a week of anti-Jewish riots, leaving hundreds of Jews murdered. In April, Germany invades and conquers Greece and Yugoslavia. Shortly after, a concentration camp opens in France and Germany invades the Soviet Union. During the fall, Belzec extermination camp opens under Operation Reinhard, planning to kill around two million Jews in Poland. Later in the year, the Chelmno extermination camp opens and on December 11, the US declared war on Japan and Germany. -
Extermination Development
Early in the year, killing centers began to operate. In summer, Jewish people were being deported into killing centers with armed resistance by Jews in ghettos. Mass murder operations continued throughout the year. In December, The Allied Nations issued a declaration stating that those responsible for the "bestial policy of cold-blooded extermination" (the mass murdering in Germany) would not escape retribution. Click here -
The End of the Holocaust
In March of 1944, Germany invades Hungary, deporting the Jewish residents. In October, a revolt in Auschwitz begins, blowing a crematorium up. November marked the beginning of the death march. Evacuation of Auschwitz began early in 1945. As the year continues, more and more camps begin to evacuate. In April of 1945, Hitler commits suicide, with V-E Day and Germany surrendering following shortly after. World War two comes to an end in September 1945, promptly ending the Holocaust.