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The Start of the NSDAP
In January 1919, the NSDAP (The National Socialist German Workers’ Party) emerges pushing for nationalism. The used anti-Semitic ideas and were anti Jewish. -
Hitler Joins
In September 1919, Hitler joins the party. He becomes a spy for the army before joining. -
Hitler becomes Leader
In 1921, Hitler declares himself the leader of the party. He ordered the Sturmabteilung (later known as the ‘Brownshirts’) to fight his battles. -
Support!
By 1928, the NSDAP got the support of many groups including farmers, small business owners, and others in the middle-class who were not included or betrayed by the Weimar government. -
The Great Depression Effect
In 1929, the great depression caused German voters to look at radical parties such as the Nazi party. 11 years after the start of the Great Depression, the NSDAP increased its share of the Reichstag vote. -
Nazi Popularity Increases
In the July 1932 elections the Nazis won 230 seats which is the highest number held by one party in the Reichstag during the Weimar period. -
Concentration Camp Idea
Early in 1933, Hitler authorized construction of concentration camps. These camps held facilities for political prisoners who disagreed with Nazi policies and ideas. -
Offering the Chancellorship to Hitler
On the 30th of January 1933, President Paul von Hindenburg offers the chancellorship to Adolf Hitler and allows him to form a government. -
The Reichstag Fire
A destructive fire in the Reichstag building in Berlin that boosted Hitler's move for ultimate power. The cause of the fire is still unknown today. -
The Enabling Act
The Enabling Act let Hitler to govern without reference to the Reichstag. The chancellor and his ministers could rule by decree, bypass the constitution, initiate taxes, spending, and determine foreign policy, all without legislation or approval from the Reichstag. -
The Death Of President Hindenburg
On the date of August 2nd, 1934, President Hindenburg died and Hitler was to control of the government. The new leader would act as head of state, government, and armed forces. -
Rearmament
In 1935, Hitler reintroduced the draft. The following year Hitler released his Four-Year Plan, a plan to prepare the nation’s military for war. By the start of 1939 Germany’s armed forces boasted more than 900,000 soldiers, 8,000 aircraft and 95 warships. -
Czechoslovakia and the Munich Agreement
British prime minister Neville Chamberlain intervened, meeting the fuhrer three times in September 1938. At the first of these meetings, on September 15th, Chamberlain agreed to Hitler’s demands. At the next meeting, Hitler commanded German forces be granted immediate access to the Sudeten region. On September 29th Hitler, Chamberlain, Mussolini, and Edouard Daladier met in Munich to resolve the crisis. -
Austria Takeover
Austria had its own Nazi group. The Austrian chancellor held a March 1938 vote on Austrian independence. Claiming the vote was rigged, Hitler told him to relinquish power to the Austrian Nazis or face invasion.
