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Hitler Publishes Mein Kampf
On this day in 1925, Volume One of Adolf Hitler’s philosophical autobiography, Mein Kampf, is published. It was a blueprint of his agenda for a Third Reich and a clear exposition of the nightmare that will envelope Europe from 1939 to 1945. -
Hitler Rises To Power
On January 30, 1933, President Paul von Hindenburg names Adolf Hitler, leader or führer of the National Socialist German Workers Party (or Nazi Party), as chancellor of Germany.
The year 1932 had seen Hitler’s rise to prominence in Germany, spurred largely by the German people’s frustration with dismal economic conditions and the still-festering wounds inflicted by defeat in WWI and the harsh peace terms of the Versailles treaty. -
Germany Invades Poland
Without declaring war, Germany invades Poland. The coordinated air-and-land attack is conducted with such brutal efficiency that "blitzkrieg" becomes a feared offensive tactic.
Two days later, England and France honor their treaty with Poland and declare war on Germany.
Video Link: https://www.britannica.com/video/22969/Germans-The-Second-World-War-Prelude-to-September-1939 -
Countries Join Forces
Very early in the war countries began choosing sides. On September 1st, Canada officially declares war on Germany. The U.S. decides to continue to be "neutral" avoiding the war due to economic hardship of the Great Depression. -
Poland Falls To Germany
After 26 days of fighting, Poland officially falls to Germany as over 150,000 troops are captured in Warsaw. Russia attempts to advance into Poland as well to gain territory.
Hitler orders the execution of 214 Catholic priests to stop any revolt from the church and to assert his power. Poles began to be moved and relocated foreshadowing the events of the Holocaust. -
Italy and Germany Join Forces
Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler officially join forces as Italy enters the war as an ally of Germany by beginning raids on France.
Italy declares war against the Allies. Great Britain, France, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India and South Africa declare war on Italy spreading the war throughout the world. -
Germany Advances as England Ends Appeasement
Germany invades Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. Because of the failure of his appeasement policies, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain resigns. Forming a coalition government, Winston Churchill replaces him.
Germany crosses the French border and increases the size of the war by dismantling France using "blitzkrieg" warfare.
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vowNypmrpBw
