The Rise and Fall of The Nazi Party

Forming of the Nazi Party

1919

The Nazi party formed in 1919 as a gang of unemployed soldiers called German Workers' Party (DAP).

Adolph Hitler Becomes Leader

Jul 24, 1921

Adolph Hitler becomes leader of the NDSP or Nazi's for short which is the new name for the DAP. Hitler takes up the title der Fuhrer.

SA (Storm Abteilung) formed

Nov 4, 1921

Known as storm troopers they were the party militia. They were known as the brown shirts because of the brown shirt that made up part of their uniform.

Hitler and the Nazi Party Attempt to Overthrow Bavarian Government

Nov 8, 1923

Munich (Beer Hall) Putsch – Hitler and the NSDP attempt to overthrow the Bavarian government failed. The leaders were arrested and charged with treason.

Hitler's Trial for the Munich Putsch

Feb 26, 1924

Hitler’s trial for his part in the Munich Putsch began. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison but only served 10 months. During his time in prison Hitler wrote Mein Kampf

The SS (Schutzstaffel) formed

1925

SS (Schutzstaffel) formed. The SS, who wore black shirts to distinguish them from the SA, initially formed Hitler’s personal bodyguard, but later became the party militia.

Great Depression

Period: 1929 to 1930

Great Depression – The world depression saw many Germans face unemployment and poverty. Support for the Nazi party increased dramatically.

The Nazi Party Become Largest Party

1932

The Nazi party gained 37.4% of the vote in the Reichstag elections to become the largest party.

Hitler Becomes Chancellor

Jan 30, 1933

Hitler appointed Chancellor of Germany by President Hindenburg.

Nazi Foreign Policy Defined

Feb 3, 1933

Hitler defined the Nazi party foreign policy. The prime goal was to secure lebensraum (living space) for the German master race.

Enabling Act

Mar 23, 1933

Enabling Act gave Hitler power to make laws without consulting the Reichstag for a period of four years.

Nazi's take over Governemnt

Apr 26, 1933

The Nazis take over local government

All Other Political Parties Banned

Jul 14, 1933

All political parties except the Nazis were banned.

Hilter's Announces German Army To Be Expanded

1935

Hitler publicly announced that the German Army was to be expanded. Conscription was introduced.

Relationships Between Jews and Aryans are Banned

Sep 15, 1935

Nuremburg Laws defined German citizenship. Relationships between Jews and Aryans were banned.

Axis Alliance Forms

Nov 25, 1936

Axis alliance concluded between Germany and Italy.

Anti-Comintern Pact

Nov 25, 1936

Anti-Comintern pact concluded between Germany and Japan

Krisallnacht

1938

Jewish shops and synagogues were destroyed. Following the event the Jewish population was fined for the destruction.

Start of Invading

Mar 14, 1938

Anschluss with Austria. Hitler made a triumphant entry into Vienna

Hitler Invades Czechoslovakia

Mar 15, 1939

Hitler invaded and occupied Czechoslovakia in contravention of the Munich Agreement.

Nazi Soviet Pact

Aug 23, 1939

Alliance between Hitler and Stalin which agreed to divide Poland between the two countries.

Ango-Polish Common Defence Pact

Aug 25, 1939

This agreement offered mutual military assistance in the event that one country was attacked by another European country. A clause was added specifying that the assistance would only be offered if the invaded country’s army fought against the aggressor.

Hitler Invades Poland

Sep 1, 1939

Hitler invaded Poland using Blitzkrieg (lightning war) tactics. Even though the Poles fought back the Germans made quick work of defeating them and Poland was occupied.

War Declared on Germany

Sep 3, 1939

Britain and France declared war on Germany.

Hitler Abandons Plans

1940

Daylight and night bombing raids on Britain (The Blitz) by the Luftwaffe were abandoned. Hitler also delayed and later abandoned plans to invade Britain.

Denmark and Norway conquered

Apr 9, 1940

Germany invaded and occupied Denmark and Norway.

Germany Continues to Conquer

May 10, 1940

The Nazis invade Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France and also occupy them.

Yugoslavia and Greece Conquered

Apr 6, 1941

Hitler and the Nazi's invade and occupy Yugoslavia and Greece.

Operation Barbarossa

Jun 22, 1941

A horde of 3 million German soldiers attempted to invade Russia.

German Advance in Russia Halted

Dec 5, 1941

German advance in Russia halted by Russian winter and Russian counterattacks.

Hitler Declares War on the United States

Dec 11, 1941

Hitler declared war on the United States. Following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December the United States had declared war on Japan. Under the terms of the Anti-Comintern Pack Hitler was obligated to declare war on the United States.

Plans for Final Solution

Jan 20, 1942

Wannsee Conference approved plans for the ‘Final Solution’.

Germans Defeated at the Second Battle of El Alamein

Nov 5, 1942

German troops defeated at the Second Battle of El Alamein in North Africa.

German's Defeated Again

Feb 2, 1943

German 6th Army defeated at Stalingrad.

Allies Bomb German Cities

Apr 4, 1943

First allied bombing raid on German cities.

Operation Overlord, D-Day

Jun 6, 1944

Operation Overlord, D-Day. Allied invasion of Normandy

Hitler Assassination Attempt Failed

Jul 20, 1944

July Bomb Plot attempt failed to assassinate Hitler.

Hitler Commited Suicide

Apr 30, 1945

Germany Surrenders

May 2, 1945

Germany surrendered ending the war in Europe

Nuremburg War Crimes Trial Commences

Nov 20, 1945