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Treaty of Versailles
The treaty written by the winners of World War One that severely crippled Germany by reducing their army and forcing them to pay reparations. -
Black Tuesday
On Tuesday October 29th the United States stock market crashed triggering a worldwide economic depression. The economy of Germany was one of the most severely crippled which set the stage for the rise of Hitler. -
Hitler becomes chancellor
After two congressional elections failed to produce a majority party President Hindenburg appointed Hitler as the chancellor of Germany. -
Hitler become Fuhrer
Following the death of President Hindenburg Hitler took over the title of president as well retaining the title of chancellor effectively making him head of the state and government. Hitler renamed his title Führer und Reichskanzler(leader and chancellor of the Reich). -
German troops occupy the Rhineland
In doing so Hitler defied the Treaty of Versailles by militarizing the Rhineland. -
Germany announces Anschluss with Austria
The unification of Austria and Germany through German annexation of Austria. -
German military mobilizes
Hitler mobilized the German army in preparation for the invasion of Czechoslovakia. -
British Prime Minister Chamberlain appeases Hitler
The Munich Agreement appeased Hitler and gave him the Sudetenland, which was areas in Czechoslovakia on the German border that was mostly occupied by peoples of German ancestry. -
German troops occupy the Sudetenland
Following the Munich agreement German troops marched on and occupied the Sudetenland area of Czechoslovakia. -
Kristallnacht - The Night of Broken Glass
Coordinated German attacks on Jews in Germany and parts of Austria by SA Troops. 91 Jews were killed and 30,000 were incarcerated in concentration camps. -
Nazis take the rest Czechoslovakia.
After the annexation of the Sudetenland Germany marched on the rest of Czechoslovakia and annexed it. -
Nazis sign 'Pact of Steel' with Italy.
A pact between Italy and Germany which originally included Japan. The pact was a mutual agreement to support each other militarily. -
Nazis and Soviets sign non aggression pact
This pact guaranteed that the Nazis would not have to fight the USSR should Germany invade Poland. -
Britain and Poland sign a mutual assistance treaty
Should Germany invade Poland Britain promised to to provide assistance -
Nazis invade Poland
The Nazies invade Poland effectively starting WWII.