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Birth of Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler's birth is significant to "The Book Thief" and most of the events that happen in World War 2 involving Germany because his decisions created the Nazi party which effected most people in Germany including Liesel and her family. Her father was taken away from her because he was a Communist and Adolf Hitler hated Comunists therefore he removed them from Germany, killing or imprisoning them. This hate changed the course of Liesel's life, affecting her family. -
Period: to
World War ll/ Holocaust
Timeline with import events from World War ll, The Holocaust and the book "The Book Theif" by Markus Zusak -
Formation of the Hitler Youth
In the year 1922, the Hitler Youth was created. It was a military style group created by the Nazi party to teach girls how to become women in the German society doing things such as cooking and cleaning while also enforcing Nazi related beliefs. In the boys section, they train to become Nazi soldiers. In "The Book Thief", Liesel describes when she got her uniform for the Hitler Youth and gives some information on what she does there. Rudy also describes his feelings for the Hitler Youth. -
Hitler's Chance to be Fuhrer
The Nazis and Adolf Hitler had been waiting for the perfect time to make Hitler the Fuhrer, or supreme leader, of Germany. They seized the moment when President Paul von Hindenburg passed away. Hours after his death, Hitler announced the law stating that The office of Reich President will be combined with that of Reich Chancellor. The relates to "The Book Thief" since his final rise to power signaled trouble for Communists like Liesel's father. -
Adolf Hitler Becomes Leader of Germany and People Agree
On August 19, most of German's voting population went to vote their approval for Hitler's reign. This relates to "The Book Thief" since this final step officialy proved Hitler to be leader of Germany. The next day, people in the government took mandatory oaths pledgeing themselves to Hitler personally, not just the government. -
Liesel Arrives at the Hubermann Household
After her brother passes on the trainride to Munich, Germany, Liesel Meminger is left in the care of Hans and Rosa Hubermann. Her mother, who we later discover is a Communist, leaves her with foster parents for reasons unknown to Liesel. Eventually, Liesel learns to love her new family especially, her papa. -
Wartime Economy Affects the Hubermanns Household
As wartime economy struck Germany almost everyone had to ration their money and became unable to afford services done for them. Rosa Hubermann made her money by washing and ironing clothes of other people living near. After a customer informed them that he had to discontinue using Rosa's services, Rosa took the measures of sending Liesel out to collect the laundry hoping her innocence will presuade other customers to keep providing her with her business. Eventually all of her customers left. -
Max Arrives at 33 Himmel Street
Not many people were willing to hide Jewish people in their house during the war, but Hans and Rosa Hubermann were willing. They returned a favor to an old friend by hiding Max Vanderburg in their basement after he arrived late one night. Throughout Max's stay it is discovered that Liesel and him have some things in common, such as their arrival to Himmel Street was by a train and that they both have nightmares of their past. -
Liesel Officially Is Titled As "The Book Thief"
Even though Liesel had been stealing book since she was nine years old, she had never been called a book theif until Rudy Steiner called her it after they had stolen a book from they mayor's house. They had gone to steal food for Rudy and the book "The Whistler" for Liesel. Even though they had not gotten any food, the book steal seemed succesful. -
Bombing on Himmel Street
In 1943, the Allies bombed Himmel Street along with 3 other streets nearby. Liesel was the lone survivor of her family and friends, since she was in the basement and was not injured. She observed her home in horror as she was removed from the rubble remains of her house. She also saw the dead bodies of friends like Rudy Steiner and her foster parents. -
Death of Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler commits suicide knowing that Germany has lost the war and that he will be blamed for the disaster. He also did not want to die in shame like other dictators, such as Benito Mussolini. His death relates to "The Book Thief" because soon after his death, the Nazi government fell apart allowing the Allies to take control of Germany, leading to the end of the war and safety for Jews such as Max Vanderburg.
