Nazi Germany
The stock market crash of 1929 sent shockwaves through Germany that shattered the fragile Weimar Republic. Millions of Germans found themselves unemployed overnight as major banks collapsed and hyperinflation returned to haunt the nation. The National Socialist German Workers Party, commonly known as the Nazi Party, grew from a marginal group receiving just 2.6 percent of the federal vote in 1928 into the largest party in the Reichstag by 1930. Adolf Hitler wrote Mein Kampf while imprisoned after the failed Beer Hall Putsch of 1923, laying out his plan for transforming German society based on race. His speeches captured the minds and hearts of vast numbers of people who felt betrayed by international Jewry and Bolshevism. Political violence became commonplace as the Sturmabteilung or Brownshirts disrupted meetings of rival organizations and attacked Jewish people on the streets. When the federal election of 1932 resulted in the Nazis holding 230 seats with 37.4 percent of the popular vote, they did not have a majority but held enough power to block any coalition government. Under pressure from politicians, industrialists, and the business community, President Paul von Hindenburg appointed Hitler Chancellor of Germany on the 30th of January 1933. This event marked the beginning of the Machtergreifung or seizure of power that would transform Germany forever.
Six million people remained unemployed when Nazis took power in 1933 creating dire economic conditions across Germany. Economist Hjalmar Schacht created scheme for deficit financing in May 1933 using promissory notes called Mefo bills to fund capital projects. When these notes presented for payment Reichsbank printed money while Hitler expected upcoming territorial expansion would provide means repaying soaring national debt. By end of 1934 alone 1.7 million new jobs created through public works projects including construction network of Autobahnen motorways. Average wages began rising though real wages dropped 25 percent between 1933 and 1938 as work hours increased from 43 to 47 weekly. Focus shifted toward rearmament by early 1934 with military expenditures accounting for 73 percent government purchases goods services by 1935. In October 1936 Hitler named Göring Plenipotentiary Four Year Plan intended speed up rearmament despite growing deficits. Plans unveiled late 1938 massive increases navy air force impossible fulfill lacking finances material resources necessary fuel keep running them. By January 1939 unemployment down 301,800 dropping further 77,500 September.
Hitler made increasingly aggressive territorial demands seizing Austria Anschluss 1938 Sudetenland region Czechoslovakia following Munich Agreement signed the 29th of September 1938. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain greeted cheers landing London saying agreement brought peace time while German troops entered Austria next day after ultimatum sent Schuschnigg the 11th of March. Austrian Czech foreign exchange reserves seized Nazis stockpiles raw materials metals completed goods weaponry aircraft shipped Germany Reichswerke Hermann Göring industrial conglomerate took control steel coal production both countries. Poland fell quickly as Soviet Union attacked east the 17th of September 1939 after Germany invaded Free City Danzig the 1st of September beginning World War II Europe. Britain France declared war two days later honoring treaty obligations though little other activity occurred until May period known Phoney War. On the 23rd of May Hitler described generals overall plan not only seizing Polish Corridor greatly expanding German territory eastward expense Poland expecting met force this time. Germans reaffirmed alliance Italy signed non-aggression pacts Denmark Estonia Latvia trade links formalized Romania Norway Sweden. Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop arranged negotiations Soviet Union Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact signed August 1939 containing secret protocols dividing Poland Baltic states German Soviet spheres influence.
On the 22nd of June 1941 contravening Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact about 3.8 million Axis troops attacked Soviet Union codenamed Operation Barbarossa intended destroy Soviet Union seize natural resources subsequent aggression Western powers. Reaction among Germans surprise trepidation many concerned how much longer war continue suspected Germany could win war fought two fronts. Moscow offensive resumed October 1941 ended disastrously December providing Red Army opportunity mobilize fresh reserves after pause Leningrad Kiev encirclement. Four days Japan attacked Pearl Harbor Hawaii declaring war United States the 7th of December 1941. Food short supply conquered areas Soviet Union Poland retreating armies burned crops remainder sent Reich rations cut 1942. Hermann Göring Plenipotentiary Four Year Plan demanded increased shipments grain France fish Norway. 1942 harvest good food supplies remained adequate Western Europe though Germany Europe whole almost totally dependent foreign oil imports. In attempt resolve shortage June 1942 Germany launched Fall Blau Case Blue offensive against Caucasian oilfields. Red Army counter-offensive the 19th of November encircled Axis forces trapped Stalingrad the 23rd of November. Hitler refusal allow retreat led deaths 200,000 German Romanian soldiers 6,000 survivors returned Germany 91,000 men surrendered city the 31st of January 1943.
Discrimination against Jews began immediately seizure power following month-long series attacks members SA Jewish businesses synagogues April 1933 Hitler declared national boycott Jewish businesses. Law Restoration Professional Civil Service passed the 7th of April forced all non-Aryan civil servants retire legal profession civil service similar legislation soon deprived other Jewish professionals right practice. On the 11th of April decree promulgated stated anyone having even one Jewish parent grandparent considered non-Aryan nationwide book burning held the 10th of May removing books National Socialist German Students League libraries. At least 91 German Jews murdered during pogrom later called Kristallnacht Night Broken Glass two days Herschel Grynszpan shot killed Ernst vom Rath legation secretary German embassy Paris the 7th of November 1938. Jewish community fined billion marks pay damage caused Kristallnacht told insurance settlements confiscated. By 1939 around 250,000 Germany's 437,000 Jews emigrated United States Argentina United Kingdom Palestine countries choosing stay continental Europe. Romani people subjected persecution early days regime forbidden marry people German extraction shipped concentration camps starting 1935 many murdered. Total number Romani victims put end war around 220,000 equaling approximately 25 percent Romani population Europe.
On the 30th of April when Soviet troops within two blocks Reich Chancellery Hitler wife Eva Braun committed suicide while General Helmuth Weidling unconditionally surrendered Berlin Soviet General Vasily Chuikov the 2nd of May. Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz succeeded Hitler Reich President Goebbels Reich Chancellor committing suicide next day murdering six children. Between 4 and the 8th of May 1945 most remaining German armed forces unconditionally surrendering German Instrument Surrender signed the 8th of May marking end Nazi regime World War II Europe. Suicide rates increased particularly areas Red Army advancing among soldiers party personnel often deemed honorable heroic alternative surrender. More than thousand people out population around 16,000 committed suicide Demmin around the 1st of May 1945 as 65th Army 2nd Belorussian Front broke distillery rampaging town committing mass rapes arbitrarily executing civilians setting fire buildings. High numbers suicides took place many other locations including Neubrandenburg 600 dead Stolp Pommern 1,000 dead Berlin where at least 7,057 people committed suicide 1945. Estimates total German war dead range 5.5 to 6.9 million persons Richard Overy estimated 2014 about 353,000 civilians killed Allied air raids.
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Common questions
When did Adolf Hitler become Chancellor of Germany?
Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany on the 30th of January 1933. This appointment by President Paul von Hindenburg marked the beginning of the Machtergreifung or seizure of power that transformed Germany forever.
What happened to the Reichstag building in February 1933?
The Reichstag building was set afire by Dutch communist Marinus van der Lubbe on the night of the 27th of February 1933. Hitler used this arson to justify emergency measures and the subsequent Reichstag Fire Decree imposed on the 28th of February 1933 rescinded most civil liberties including rights of assembly and freedom of the press.
How many people were unemployed when Nazi Germany took power in 1933?
Six million people remained unemployed when Nazis took power in 1933 creating dire economic conditions across Germany. By January 1939 unemployment had dropped 301,800 further dropping 77,500 September.
Which treaty divided Poland and Baltic states between Germany and Soviet Union?
Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop arranged negotiations for the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact signed August 1939 containing secret protocols dividing Poland and Baltic states into German and Soviet spheres of influence. This agreement preceded the invasion of Free City Danzig the 1st of September beginning World War II Europe.
When did Operation Barbarossa begin and how many Axis troops attacked the Soviet Union?
On the 22nd of June 1941 about 3.8 million Axis troops attacked the Soviet Union codenamed Operation Barbarossa intended to destroy the Soviet Union and seize natural resources. The offensive resumed Moscow October 1941 ended disastrously December providing Red Army opportunity mobilize fresh reserves after pause Leningrad Kiev encirclement.
How many Jews emigrated from Germany by 1939 and what was the total number of Romani victims at end of war?
By 1939 around 250,000 of Germany's 437,000 Jews emigrated to countries including United States Argentina United Kingdom and Palestine while remaining in continental Europe. Total number of Romani victims put at end of war around 220,000 equaling approximately 25 percent of Romani population Europe.