Hitler WWII History Timeline and Biographies

1933

Hitler Becomes Chancellor of Germany

In January 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany. This marked the beginning of his rise to power, as he quickly moved to consolidate control over the German government and dismantle democratic institutions, setting the stage for his totalitarian regime and the aggressive policies that would lead to World War II.

1934

The Night of the Long Knives

In June 1934, Hitler ordered a purge of the SA leadership and other political adversaries in what became known as the Night of the Long Knives. This event solidified his control over the Nazi Party and eliminated potential threats to his power, reinforcing his position as the undisputed leader of Germany.

1935

Nuremberg Laws Enacted

In September 1935, the Nuremberg Laws were enacted, which institutionalized racial discrimination against Jews in Germany. These laws stripped Jews of their citizenship and civil rights, laying the groundwork for the systemic persecution that would culminate in the Holocaust during World War II.

1936

Remilitarization of the Rhineland

In March 1936, Hitler ordered German troops to reoccupy the Rhineland, violating the Treaty of Versailles. This bold move was met with little resistance from France or Britain, emboldening Hitler and furthering his aggressive expansionist policies leading to World War II.

1938

Anschluss with Austria

In March 1938, Germany annexed Austria in a union known as the Anschluss. This event was a significant step in Hitler's plan to unite all German-speaking peoples under Nazi rule, further escalating tensions in Europe as he sought to expand German territory ahead of World War II.

1938

In September 1938, the Munich Agreement allowed Hitler to annex the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia without facing military intervention from Britain or France. This act of appeasement only encouraged Hitler's ambitions, leading directly to the outbreak of World War II.

1939

On September 1, 1939, Hitler launched the invasion of Poland, marking the official start of World War II. This swift and brutal attack utilized Blitzkrieg tactics, overwhelming Polish defenses and prompting Britain and France to declare war on Germany two days later.

1940

In May 1940, Hitler initiated the invasion of France and the Low Countries. By June 1940, France had fallen to Nazi forces, demonstrating the effectiveness of Hitler's military strategy and marking a significant victory for the Axis powers in World War II.

1941

On June 22, 1941, Hitler launched Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. This massive military campaign aimed to conquer Soviet territory and eliminate communism, significantly expanding the scope of World War II and leading to some of the war's largest battles.

1941

With the onset of World War II, Hitler's regime intensified its anti-Semitic policies, leading to the establishment of concentration camps and the systematic extermination of millions of Jews and other targeted groups. This horrific genocide became known as the Holocaust, representing one of the darkest chapters in human history.

1942

In late 1942, the Battle of Stalingrad marked a significant turning point in World War II. The Soviet Union's victory over German forces ended Hitler's advance into Eastern Europe and began a series of successful Soviet offensives that would ultimately lead to the downfall of Nazi Germany.

1944

On June 6, 1944, Allied forces launched D-Day, the largest amphibious invasion in history, targeting Nazi-occupied France. This operation marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Hitler's control and was a critical step toward the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.

1945

On April 30, 1945, as Allied forces closed in on Berlin, Adolf Hitler committed suicide in his bunker. His death marked the end of the Nazi regime and the conclusion of his leadership during World War II, leading to Germany's unconditional surrender shortly thereafter.

1945

On May 7, 1945, Germany officially surrendered to the Allied forces, bringing an end to World War II in Europe. Hitler's aggressive policies and militaristic ambitions had resulted in unprecedented destruction and loss of life, reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the world.