German History 1919-1945

German History 1919-1945 1918, November – Republic. Germany became a republic after the Kaiser voluntarily exiled to Holland. Social discontent following the proposal of a constitutional monarchy from the October Reform forced the chancellor, Prince Max, to hand over power to Friedrich Ebert to create a coalition left-wing government. 1918, November – Ebert-Groener Agreement. The Supreme Army Command agreed to co-operate with the new coalition government in return for their promise of authority within Army officers and the opposition to revolutionary socialism. 1919, August – Weimar Constitution. The constitution was signed by Friedrich Ebert. Article 48 entitled the President to emergency decrees. Established Parliamentary Representation, allowing splinter parties to gain seats. Traditional institutes, i.e. the judiciary system, were allowed to continue. 1919, June – The Treaty of Versailles. Accepted by the coalition government. Germany lost lots of territory, including the Saar which was rich in coal. Accepted reparations of £6.6 billion set in 1921. Accepted article 231, war guilt. Accepted the disarmament to 100,000 men. 1922, April – Rapallo Pact. Germany and the USSR secured economic and military co-operation. In return for military training, Germany would gain economic aid. 1923, September – ‘Passive Resistance’ Stopped. Stresemann called off ‘Passive Resistance’ and resumed reparation payments. 1923, December – Currency Reform. The Rentenmark was introduced to deal with hyper-inflation. 1924, April – The Dawes Plan. The Dawes Committee was formed and reviewed Germany’s economic situation, conclusively setting payment plans for Germany’s reparations. 1925, October – Locarno Pact. Mutual agreement between Germany, France and Belgium concerning boundries. Demilitarisation of the Rhineland was agreed to become permanent. Arbitration treaties agreed to settle future disputes peacefully. 1926, April – The Treaty of Berlin. Germany and the USSR furthered military and economic alliances by assuring their friendship, but not alliance. 1928, August – Kellogg-Briand Pact. Nations committed to demilitarisation, this included Germany. 1929 – Young Plan. Germany accepted reparation payments until 1988. 1925-1929 – German Golden Years. Exports grew by 40 per cent. Culture flourished. 1930, December – Bruning’s Economic Policy. Presidential decree created huge public spending cuts, criticised by the Nazi Party and allowed their power to rise. 1933, March – Enabling Act. Full powers were diverted to the cabinet. The Nazi Party had managed to dismantle the Weimar government and its constitution within two months of being in power. 1933, March – Minister of Economics. Schacht becomes minister of Economics and leads the nation into growth of employment, reducing unemployment by 2.1 million within one year. 1933, May – Creation of the German Labour Front. All Trade Unions were united under the DAF, effectively banning strikes. 1933, July – Opposition Illegal. The Nazi Party became the only legal party after all political parties are dismantled. 1933, July – The Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring. Compulsory sterilisation of those with hereditary conditions, such as, Schizophrenia. 1933-1934 – Gleichschaltung. ‘Co-ordination’ of Germany under Adolf Hitler, which resulted in his absolute power. 1934 – Concordat Signed. Educational control was taken away from the Länder and centralised. 1934, April – The Night of the Long Knives. Hitler was persuaded by the Conservatives, Army, Göring and Himmler to oust Röhm and the SA, who threatened a ‘Second Revolution’. 1934, August – Chancellor to Führer. Hindenburg died and Hitler combined the post of chancellor and president to make him Führer. Army make an oath of loyalty to him. 1935, September – Nuremburg Race Laws. Removed Jewish citizenship to Germany. 1936, October – Four-Year Plan. Under Göring, the nation is plunged into a war-time economy to prepare it for its eventual European invasion. Military spending had almost tripled by the start of the war. 1938, November – Kristallnacht. Extermination of Jews all over Germany. 1939, August – Nazi-Soviet Pact. Germany and the USSR agree on carving up Poland. 1939, December – War Economy Decree. Vast programmes of war production, including submarines and aircraft. 1941, December – Rationalisation Decree. An intended reform of the economy to eliminate the waste of labour and materials. 1942, January – Wannsee Conference. The ‘Final Solution’ is decided upon and Jews are systematically murdered in concentration camp gas chambers. Weimar Germany History – Timeline 1918, November – German Republic declared. Weimar socialist coalition government was created. 1918, November – Government signs Armistice. World War One ended, resulting in 2.5 million dead Germans, the ‘Stab in the back’ myth was created by German nationalists who believed that the new government committed treason. 1919, January – Sparticist Uprising Suppressed. Communist group was resisted by the Weimar government using right-wing group, the Freikorps and the Army. 1919, February – Ebert became President. Elected assembly met in Weimar, Ebert became President from 1919-1925. 1919, June – Germany accept the Treaty of Versailles. Forced by the Allies to accept the terms. 1920, March – Kapp Putsch Suppressed. Right-wing attempt to overthrow Weimar government is suppressed by national strike, Army refused to co-operate with the government. 1920, June – Extremist Parties Gain Votes. Due to proportional representation and the authoritarian atmosphere of Germany, extreme right and left-wing parties gained votes and seats in the Reichstag. 1921, April – Reparations Set. Germany set £6.6 billion worth of reparations to the Allies for war damage. 1922, April – Rapallo Pact. Germany signs Rapallo Pact with the USSR, securing economic and military aid. 1923, January – French invade the Ruhr. In co-operation with Belgium, France invaded the Ruhr to secure the continuation of reparation payments from Germany, ‘Passive resistance’ is activated. 1923, January – Hyper-Inflation. Germany experienced inflation which greatly decreased the value to the mark. Often blamed upon France and Belgium’s demands for payments – causing the German government to produce more money. 1923, August – Stresemann became Chancellor. International support gained through his cooperative and pragmatic foreign policy. 1923, November – Münich Putsch. Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers’ Party attempts to seize power in Münich, the Putsch fails due to lack of co-operation between other rightwing groups, extremist movements slowed down. 1923, November – Rentenmark Introduced. Stresemann introduced the Rentenmark, short-term solution to hyper-inflation and spurred economic recovery in Germany. 1924, February – Hitler Imprisoned. Sentenced to five years in prison, however, he was released in December 1924. Court case gained publicity, in which he was portrayed to be a patriot. 1924, April – Dawes Plan. The Dawes Committee was formed and reviewed Germany’s economic situation, conclusively setting payment plans for Germany’s reparations. 1925, April – Hindenburg elected as President. With Ebert dead in February 1925, the German public elected General Hindenburg as President. 1925, October – Locarno Pact signed. Germany, France and Belgium agreed on western borders – strengthening relations between the three nations. 1925-1926 – Economic recovery continues. The Golden Years, economic boom and sense of harmony within Germany with the blossoming of culture and industry. 1926, September – Germany joins the League of Nations. Germany became integrated into Europe and regained trust. 1928, May – Moderate Parties gain votes. Support for extremist parties fell to its lowest and moderate democratic parties gained high election results. 1928, June – Müller’s Grand Coalition. Socialist leader united the Social Democrats (SPD), Centre Party (ZP), German Democratic Party (DDP) and the German’s People Party (DVP). This was to fall apart after the Great Depression. 1929, June – Young Plan. Germany accepted reparation payments until 1988. 1929, October – Wall Street Crash. Led to mass unemployment within Germany and economic crisis. 1929, October – Stresemann dies. Government starts to collapse without Stresemann’s Foreign policy support. 1930, March – Socialist government collapsed. No government after the economic collapse was able to regain parliamentary Support, Conservative Authoritarian government reliant on the Presidential powers comes into power. 1930, March – Heinrich Brüning became Chancellor. Relied on President to pass policies, rather than the Reichstag. 1930, September – Nazi Party gain support. Germany become more inclined to vote National Socialist to resolve economic issues. 1931, July – Reparation payments suspended. Allies stop reparation payments to ease economic burden for Germany. 1932, February – Unemployment peaks. Economic crisis caused unemployment to peak at six million. 1932, April – Presidential elections. Hindenburg beat Hitler in the Presidential elections, showing German loyalty to democracy. 1932, May – New Chancellorship. Brüning replaced by Papen who created the ‘Cabinet of Barons’, ‘Intrigue’ began. 1932, July – Reparations suspended indefinitely. 1932, July – Nazi Party vote rises. The party gained 37% of the vote. 1932, November – Nazi Party vote falls. The party lost 5% of the vote. 1932, December – General Schleicher became Chancellor. Plans to minimise threat from Hitler through the ‘Back Door’ method. 1933, January – Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor. Led to Hitler’s grasp to power through Hindenburg’s death in 1934. Nazi Germany History – Timeline 1919 – German Workers’ Party Formed. One of seventy right-wing splinter groups created by Anton Drexler and Karl Harrer. 1919 – Adolf Hitler joins the DAP. Whilst working for the government in an attempt to snuff out communist parties, he became aware of the DAP and joined the radically right-wing group. 1920 – National Socialist German Workers’ Party. The party was renamed forming the NSDAP or, The Nazi Party. 1920 – 25 Point Programme. The party produced a small manifesto outlining its objectives, including the abolition of the Treaty of Versailles and the radical segregation of Germans and other nationalities or races, including Jews. 1921 – Hitler becomes leader. Manoeuvring his way through the party, he ousted Anton Drexler’s power and became leader of the party himself. 1921 – The SA is formed. The NSDAP’s paramilitary wing was formed; Hitler produced the ‘Brown shirt’ design. 1923 – Münich Beer Hall Putsch. Hitler attempted to ally with other right-wing groups to overthrow the Weimar government. These groups backed-out at the last moment and Hitler was arrested. 1924 – Hitler imprisoned. Court case gained large popularity in which Hitler was shown in a good light. The conservative judiciary system sentenced him to five years. 1924 – Mein Kampf written. Hitler outlined his views and intentions for the NSDAP and was released in December. 1925-1928 – The Nazi Party is organised. Hitler became undisputed Führer, the party is organised into Gaue ran by Gauleiters. The party focuses on organisational structure, recruitment, fundraising and campaigning. 1925-1928 – Nazi Party techniques. Propaganda was the primary source of support in the early years by attacking the Treaty of Versailles, Weimar corruption, Bolshevism and Judaism. Hitler also made powerful speeches. 1928, June – Reichstag Election. Nazi Party only gain twelve seats through proportional representation. 1929 – Wall Street Crash. Allowed the Nazi Party to blame the Weimar government for the Dawes Plan and the Young Plan. 1929 – Wider appeal. The Nazi Party expanded its support toward the middle-classes. 1930, September – Reichstag Election. Nazi Party gain 107 seats through its appeal to lower and middle-classes. Brüning elected as Chancellor. 1930, September – Weimar Democracy dies. After the collapse of the Müller Grand Coalition, conservative chancellors reliant on the Presidential powers became the new system. 1932, May – Brüning forced to resign. Although stopping reparations, he depended on Presidential protection. Papen appointed Chancellor. Replaced Brüning and created a ‘Cabinet of Barons’. 1932, July – Papen called a State of Emergency. Nazi violence from the SA ended. 1932, November – Papen dismissed. Unpopular due to unelected power, 1932, December – Schleicher appointed Chancellor. Continued Presidential emergency decrees to run country like Brüning and Papen and oversaw the political intrigue which allowed Adolf Hitler to claim chancellorship. 1933, January – Political Intrigue. The power of the Nazi Party after the Reichstag elections was undoubtful. The conservative cabinet wanted Nazis in the cabinet, but with positions of limited power, however, Hitler was not accepting this role. Therefore, Hitler was placed into position of Chancellor and Papen as viceChancellor. 1933, March – Reichstag Election. Nazi terror was used and 69 people died under the violence of the SA and SS who were permitted to do so after Schleicher’s admission into chancellorship. Under the violence the Nazi Party gained 43.9% of the vote. 1933, March – Enabling Act. Full powers were diverted to the cabinet. The Nazi Party had managed to dismantle the Weimar government and its constitution within two months of being in power. 1933, May – Book Burning. Another act of which constituted Nazi ideology of censorship. 1933-1934 – Implementation of Gleichschaltung. Co-ordination of Germany into the Nazification of all branches of society. Parties were made illegal by July. Trade unions were amalgamated into the DAF. 1934, January – Centralisation was complete. Regional parliaments were dissolved and the country was controlled via the cabinet. 1934, June – Night of the Long Knives. The Nazi Party extinguished any opposition with cooperation between government and SS. The SA called for a ‘second revolution’ benefitting the working-classes. Hitler decided to back the conservatives and Army by ousting the SA. This assured the Army’s dedication to their Führer. 1934, August – From Chancellor to Führer. Hitler claimed post of President, coupled with Chancellor, he became the Führer of Germany. 1935, March – Remilitarisation. Hitler proclaims that Germany is beginning to rearm going against the Treaty of Versailles, however, the Allies do nothing due to economical problems. 1935, September – The Nuremburg Racial Laws. Jews were no longer entitled to German citizenship. 1936, March – Rhineland Occuptation. French elections prevent France from stopping Germany remilitarising the Rhineland. 1936 September – Four-Year Plan. Hjalmar Schacht was forced to activate a war-time economy that focused on rearming. Unlike Schacht’s prior intentions of a deficit balanced economy. 1937, November – Schacht Resigned. Hermann Göring becomes ‘Economics dictator’. 1938 – Big Business. Salary boosts, showing the Nazi Party’s commitment to big business and the necessity for them. 1938, March – Anschluss. Under Hitler’s reformed Army, Austria is annexed by Germany. 1938, August – Nazi-Soviet Pact. Hitler and Stalin agree on terms to carve Poland up between the two nations. 1938, September – Münich Conference. Hitler gains the Sudetenland over threats made, appeasement is seen to have brought peace to Europe. 1938, November – Kristallnacht. Large attack on Jews throughout Germany. 1939, March – Germany invades Czechoslovakia. European nations wait for further actions taken by Germany. 1939, September – Germany invades Poland. Using the technique of Blitzkrieg, Germany storm through Poland, provoking World War Two to begin on the third of September. 1939, September – Hitler Youth becomes compulsory. German youth are subjected to forced membership to the Hitler Youth. 1940 – Germany conquer the majority of Europe. Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg and France are conquered, the United Kingdom fear Nazi invasion. 1941, June – Germany invade USSR. Volksgemeinschaft is in effect, however, the extermination of the Jewish race is slow. 1942, January – Wannsee Conference. Full war-time economy is established. The ‘Final Solution’ of the ‘Jewish Question’ is decided upon. 1943, January – Stalingrad Defeat. German forces are pushed back and the war turns against Germany, the economy starts to falter. 1944, November – Edelweiss Pirates executed. As resistance to Nazi attempts to indoctrinate the youth of Germany, rebels are executed. Members of these splinter groups were not members of the compulsory Hitler Youth. 1945, May – Nazi Germany are defeated. Germany surrender after Adolf Hitler commits suicide.