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The Nazi party formed in 1919 as a gang of unemployed soldiers called German Workers' Party (DAP).
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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.
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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.
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Munich (Beer Hall) Putsch – Hitler and the NSDP attempt to overthrow the Bavarian government failed. The leaders were arrested and charged with treason.
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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
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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.
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Great Depression – The world depression saw many Germans face unemployment and poverty. Support for the Nazi party increased dramatically.
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The Nazi party gained 37.4% of the vote in the Reichstag elections to become the largest party.
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Hitler appointed Chancellor of Germany by President Hindenburg.
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Hitler defined the Nazi party foreign policy. The prime goal was to secure lebensraum (living space) for the German master race.
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Enabling Act gave Hitler power to make laws without consulting the Reichstag for a period of four years.
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The Nazis take over local government
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All political parties except the Nazis were banned.
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Hitler publicly announced that the German Army was to be expanded. Conscription was introduced.
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Nuremburg Laws defined German citizenship. Relationships between Jews and Aryans were banned.
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Axis alliance concluded between Germany and Italy.
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Anti-Comintern pact concluded between Germany and Japan
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Jewish shops and synagogues were destroyed. Following the event the Jewish population was fined for the destruction.
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Anschluss with Austria. Hitler made a triumphant entry into Vienna
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Hitler invaded and occupied Czechoslovakia in contravention of the Munich Agreement.
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Alliance between Hitler and Stalin which agreed to divide Poland between the two countries.
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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.
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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.
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Britain and France declared war on Germany.
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Daylight and night bombing raids on Britain (The Blitz) by the Luftwaffe were abandoned. Hitler also delayed and later abandoned plans to invade Britain.
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Germany invaded and occupied Denmark and Norway.
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The Nazis invade Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France and also occupy them.
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Hitler and the Nazi's invade and occupy Yugoslavia and Greece.
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A horde of 3 million German soldiers attempted to invade Russia.
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German advance in Russia halted by Russian winter and Russian counterattacks.
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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.
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Wannsee Conference approved plans for the ‘Final Solution’.
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German troops defeated at the Second Battle of El Alamein in North Africa.
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German 6th Army defeated at Stalingrad.
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First allied bombing raid on German cities.
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Operation Overlord, D-Day. Allied invasion of Normandy
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July Bomb Plot attempt failed to assassinate Hitler.
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Germany surrendered ending the war in Europe
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