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Hitler's First Meeting with the NASDAP
Hitler was originally an army spy. He was sent to the party to learn information about them. This was his initial meeting with them. He joined the party some time afterward. -
Formation of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party
The NSDAP, better known as the Nazis, was a minor political party that engaged in the fight for election in 1920, as did many others. Nationalism and anti-Semitic ideas were advocated for within the party. -
Hitler Declares Himself Fuehrer
Alongside declaring himself absolute leader, he created an enforcement group called the Sturmabteilung, otherwise known as the "Brownshirts." He often spoke that certain groups are to blame for Germany's issues, such as people involved in the Treaty of Versailles, communists, liberals, and Jewish bankers. -
Hitler Attempts to Overthrow the Government
Hitler was arrested in an attempt to overthrow to the government. He was first charged with major treason with a long prison sentence. This charge was later reduced to minor treason a prison sentence of five years.
The picture is of the Stormtroopers before the attempted overthrow. -
Hitler is Released from Prison
During his prison time, the NSDAP had gained notoriety. Hitler served approximately 9 months before being released for good behavior. Upon release, he vowed to make the Nazis a proper party so that they may destroy democracy from within the government. -
The NSDAP Grow in Popularity.
By the time, the party has grown popular with dissentients of the Weimar government. However, it did not gain any new ground in Germany's Congress, as a result of the improved economy and the fact that their message was not excellently received. -
The Great Depression
The crash of the stock market leads Germans to look for radical parties, such as the NSDAP. Due to this, the NSDAP representation in the Reichstag (German Congress) increased greatly. -
1932 Elections
The NSDAP won 230 seats and 37.8% of the Reichstag. This was the highest number of seats in the Reichstag to be won by one party at the time. -
The First Concentration Camp Opens
It opens in Dachau. It was meant for political prisoners who disagreed with Nazi ideas and laws. This soon evolved as a labor camp where Jews were harshly put to work after a series of Germans and Jews boycotting the others' products and shops. -
Chancellorship
Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany and is able to form a government. Previous to this, Germany's president, President Paul von Hindenburg resisted the appointment of the position to Hitler, despite his growing support. One of his supporters was Franz Von Papen, a politician. He made Hitler less radical and utilized the NSDAP.
Although this was a win for Hitler, his power was still weak. He was often criticized and could be removed by President von Hindenburg at any time. -
The Reichstag Fire
The Reichstag building was ablaze as many watched in horror. (It was lit.) The circumstances surrounding the start of the fire are questionable. Hitler utilized this opportunity to strengthen the Nazis' power. He convinced President von Hindenburg to invoke Article 48 of the Weimar constitution as part of a state of emergency. This allowed the president to restrict certain freedoms and rights. As a result of the unclear boundaries of this, the Nazis could work by their own laws. -
The Enabling Act
This act was created by the Nazis a few weeks after the building fire, and it allowed them to operate without following the Reichstag. It was passed in a landslide, partially because the Nazis threatened and/or arrested various representatives. -
Exerting Power
The Nazis declared that the NSDAP is the only political party allowed in Germany. Attempting to do so is liable to imprisonment. -
Army Support
Hitler kills many leaders of the stormtroopers, which of whom have become out of control. This gains him the support of the German Army. -
President von Hindenburg Dies
Hitler inherits total control of the government and can now operate unchecked. He conducts a public vote about the constitutional change. It found it was in favor, yet some say it may have been rigged. -
Rearmament
The draft is brought back and the Four-Year Plan is introduced. It involves a schedule to prepare the nation’s military for war. -
The Rhineland
Hitler violated the Treaty of Versaille by stationing troops in the area around the Rhine River. This area was the land between Germany and the countries west. France and Britain did not respond. -
New Foreign Policy
Hitler spoke out about his belief in self-sufficiency in food and raw materials. He suggested military expansion into Eastern-Europe to achieve this. -
Sudetenland
Despite his promise to Austria to no longer take over more land, Hitler pushed for the annexation of this German-dominated area in Czechoslovakia. This was on the so-called basis that the Czechs were harassing them. In September, British prime minister Neville Chamberlain stepped in. -
Anschluss
The Austrian chancellor held a vote on Austrian independence, feeling compelled by the Nazis. Hitler set this up and said that the votes were intentionally misleading. He told the chancellor that he must relinquish control or be invaded. After other countries did not help him, the chancellor did what he was told. Germany and Austria were soon joined as one. -
Meetings between Hitler and Chamberlain
Chamberlain met with Hitler three times this month. He agreed with Hitler's terms in the first meeting; at the time of the next meeting, Hitler ordered free reign of the Sudeten region to the German military. -
The Munich Agreement
Hitler, Chamberlain, Mussolini, and Edouard Daladier of France gathered in Munich to mull over the solutions to the crisis. An agreement was signed where Hitler was permitted to invade the area in question, though this was as long as he would not take over any more land. This was supposed to be the agreement that kept war at bay. Sudetenland was stormed by Nazis days after.
