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Armistice Signed
WWI ends with Germany signing the Armistice, they believed that they would be part of the negotiations but they were excluded from the negotiations about the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler like many Germans believe that their loss was because of internal betrayal, this belief of being stabbed in the back by internal enemies played a major role in his radicalism -
Hitler joins the German Workers Party
Hitler joins a small nationalist group called the German Workers Party. His lively speeches and leadership abilities helped him reach fame within the party -
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Territorial Losses and Military Restrictions
Germany had to return Alsace-Lorraine to France and give up Belgium, Denmark, and Poland, The Saar, Danzig, and Memel went under the League of Nations control which lead to millions of ethnic Germans living under foreign rule. The Treaty also put strict military restrictions on Germany as they could only have 100,000 men and having tanks, submarine, and an air force. They had to demilitarize the Rhineland which also limited their defense capabilities -
Treaty of Versailles Signed
Germany was forced to sign the treaty of Versailles in the Versailles Palace. The Weimar government faces it first major challenge as they were forced to sign the treaty. German representatives were outraged but could not continue with the war due to the lack of army so they had no option than to accept. Many Germans viewed the government as the November Criminals for agreeing to such military, territorial and financial penalties -
Kapp Putsch
The Freikorps, angered by the treaty cutting the military forces attempted a right-wing coup led by the treaty of Versailles led by Wolfgang Kapp. The army refuses to fight the coup. The government was saved by berlin workers going on a strike which causes the coup to collapse -
Nazi Party Founded
Hitler rebrands the party as the National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi Party) and introduces the swastika symbol, attaching the party's image and platform to extreme nationalism and anti-Semitism -
Nazi Party Platform-The Nazi Party's beliefs were outlined in a 25-point The program that was full of extreme nationalism, racial antisemitism, and socialist ideas.
The program for the unification of all Germans for a greater Germany, dismissal of the Treaty of Versailles, and exclusion of Jews from German citizenship. They also called for social reforms like nationalizing industries, profit-sharing for workers and better pension which appealed to the working class furthering his following. These promises along with their focus on national pride and ethnic "purity" attracted Germans let down by WWI and economic hardship. -
Reparation Payment
The reparation sum was put at 6.6 billion pounds which started Germanys economic crisis as they couldn't pay it. It lead to global poverty in Germany which filled Germans with hate -
Hitler Becomes Leader of Nazi Party
By the end of 1921, Hitler has unified power in the Nazi Party. He attracted former military officers like Ernst Rohm -
Stresemann's Reforms
Gustav Stresemann became Chancellor and starts reforms to try and stabilize the economy. He ends the passive resistance, introduces the Rentenmark to stop hyperinflation and promises to restart reoperation payments which lead to the withdrawal of French troops by 1925 and restored economic stability -
Ruhr Crisis and Hyperinflation
Germany not being able to pay reparations led to French and Belgian troops occupying Ruhr which was the heart Germanys industrial factories, worsening the economic crisis. The government starts paying workers to strike which causes further economic collapse and hyperinflation. -
Beer Hall Putsch
Hitler tries to overthrow the Weimar Republic with a coup in the Beer Hall Putsch, ultimately it failed and he was arrested and charged with treason. This marks the start of his national fame in right-wing politics -
Hitlers Imprisonment and "Mein Kampf"
Hitler was sentenced to five years in prison but only ended up serving nine months. While in prison Hitler writes the first volume of Mein Kampf which laid out his political ideology. His writing solidified the foundations of Nazi ideology -
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Social and Economic Reforms
The Weimar government implements multiple social reforms such as unemployment insurance which covered 17 million workers, pension, sickness benefits, and government subsidies for housing, schools, and sport facilities. These policies helped reduce the social resentment but didn't really solve all of the unemployment issues, especially for farmers. -
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Stresemann Era of Stabilization
While Stresemann was foreign Minister Germany entered a period of stability. These moves helped improve Germany's global reputation and assisted in Germanys internal political stability. -
The Dawes Plan
Because of the Ruhr Crisis the Allies introduce the Dawes Plan which lowered Germany’s reparation payments and gave Germany a 800 million mark loan from the USA. This temporarily stabilizes Germany's economy. -
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Reorganizing the Nazi Party
After Hitler was released from prison, he started Hitler reorganize the Nazi Party. he establishes the SS as a loyal elite force and he gains the support from conservative groups in German society. The Nazi movement starts to gain more popularity as Hitler pushes for political influence. -
Locarno Treaties
Locarno Treaties were signed where Germany, France, and Belgium agree to respect borders -
Germany joins the league of nations
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Kellogg-Briand Pact
Germany signs the Kellogg-Briand Pact, which showed that they were committed to a peaceful conflict resolution -
Wall Street Crash and the Great Depression
After the Wall Street Crash it completely damaged all the work that the Weimar Republic did to reach economic recovery. The unemployment crisis worsened and political extremism rises. -
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Hitlers runs for presidency
Hitler runs for German presidency in 1932 which gains him outstanding support. By January 30,1933 he is appointed chancellor of Germany, starting his official take over of german politics and is the foundation of the Third Reich -
Hitler becomes Chancellor
Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in 1933 when President Paul von Hindenburg appointed him to lead of the coalition government. The Nazi Party which was led by Hitler gained support, although they did not have majority they joined forces with the German Nationalist People's Party. Political instability and multiple failed government led Hindenburg to choosing Hitler with the hope that he could restore order in the government -
The Reichstag Fire Decree
The Reichstag Fire Decree is put into affect which suspends civil liberties such as freedom of speech, press, and assembly. This decree lets Nazis legally arrest political opponents and suppress anyone who disagrees with the Nazi's. -
The Enabling Act
The Enabling Act is passed, granting Hitler he power to enact laws without the Reichstag's approval. This act destroys Germanys parliamentary democracy and Hitler gains dictatorial power. -
Hitler starts Controlling through Fear and Oppression
The Gestapo was created to gather intelligence on civilians, using informants and fear to suppress anyone who opposed the Nazi regime. The Gestapo had the power to arrest and detain anyone without having to go through legal processes. By using fear, propaganda, repression, and legal maneuvers, Hitler and the Nazi Party were able to rid Germany of democratic structures, combine power, and establish a totalitarian regime that suppressed & controlled nearly every aspect of life. -
Hitler Eliminates Political Opposition
In July Hitler bans all political parties except the Nazi party making Germany a one party state -
Trade Unions are abolished
Trade Unions are abolished, which got rid of any economic opposition. The German Labour Front replaces unions, putting workers under Nazi control