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Racially Superior
The Nazis, who came to power in Germany in January 1933, believed that Germans were "racially superior" and that the Jews, deemed "inferior," were an alien threat to the so-called German racial community. -
Establishment of the first concentration camp
In 1933, the regime established the first concentration camps, imprisoning its political opponents, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others classified as “dangerous.” -
Adolf Hitler appointed chancellor
The Nazi party assumes control of the German State. -
Beginning of the Regime
The Nazi state (also referred to as the Third Reich) quickly became a regime in which citizens had no guaranteed basic rights. -
Anti-Jewish Boycott
Members of the Nazi party and its affiliated organisations organize a nationwide boycott of Jewish-owned businesses in Germany -
Death of German President Von Hindenburg
Adolf Hitler becomes president of Germany. -
Olympic Games open in Berlin
The Nazi Dictatorship camouflages its racist, militaristic character while hosting the Summer Olympics -
Buchenwald Concentration camp opens
The largest concentration camp established within the old German borders -
Reichstag Speech
Hitler declares that the outbreak of war would mean the end of European Jewry. -
Invasion of Poland
Germany invaded Poland -
Auschwitz camp established
SS authorities establish the largest concentration camp complex of the Nazi regime. -
Explosion of the SS Patria
The destruction of ship carrying 1,800 Jewish refugees -
Gas Vans
Gas vans appeared on the eastern front in late fall -
“Euthanasia” Killings
Responding in part to public protests, Hitler orders the cessation of centrally coordinated murder of disabled. -
Jewish Badge
All Jew over six years of age in the Reich, Alsace, Bohemia-Moravia and the German-annexed territory of western Poland are ordered to wear an identifying badge -
Deportations of Germany, Austrian, and Czech Jews
German authorities begin deporting Jews from central Europe to ghettos in occupied eastern territory. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Japan launches a surprise attack on the United States Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor Hawaii -
Killing Operations Begin at Chelmno,
Chelmo was first stationary facility where poison ga was used for mass murder. -
Death Penalty for Aiding Jews
German poster announcing death penalty for aiding Jews who fled the Warsaw ghetto. -
Extermination Camps
Between 1941 and 1944, Nazi German authorities deported millions of Jews from Germany, from occupied territories, and from the countries of many of its Axis allies to ghettos and to killing centers, often called extermination camps, where they were murdered in specially developed gassing facilities. -
Attempt to Assassinate Hitler
German military officers attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler in his East Prussian headquarter at Rastenburg. -
Holocaust uncovered
By the end of the war in spring 1945, as the Germans and their Axis partners were pushed back on both fronts, Allied troops uncovered the full extent of crimes committed during the Holocaust. -
Final Solution
The Germans and their collaborators killed nearly two out of every three European Jews as part of the "Final Solution," -
Hilter Commits Suicide
Adolf Hitler commits suicide in his bunker in Berlin. -
German Forces surrender
The day the German armed forces surrendered unconditionally to the Allies. -
Victory Day
For the western Allies, World War II officially ended in Europe on the next day, May 8 (V-E Day), while Soviet forces announced their “Victory Day”