Page 65 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

THE HIST OR Y OF GERM AN Y  63

in April 1933 a boycott of Jewish businesses
began. Trade unions were banned, as were all
parties apart from the Nazis. Books by
“impure” authors were burned, and the work
of “degenerate” artists was exhibited as a
warning, marking the start of the persecution
of artists and scientists, many of whom
decided to emigrate. At the same time, Hitler
attempted to present to the world a face of
openness and success, particularly with
the Berlin Olympics of 1936. Germany
broke almost all the demilitarization
conditions of the Versailles Treaty. The growth
in arms production brought with it an
improved economic situation, increasing The centre of Dresden after Allied carpet-bombing
Hitler’s popularity. All his opponents who had
not managed to emigrate were either killed World War II
or sent to concentration camps. The first two years of World War II were
In 1935 the Nuremberg Laws were passed, marked by one victory after another for the
which officially sanctioned the persecution German Army, which managed to occupy
of Jews. During the Kristallnacht (crystal half of Europe. Great Britain was the only
night) of 9 November 1938, synagogues country that succeeded in fending off Hitler.
throughout Germany were burned and In 1941 the Wehrmacht occupied large
Jewish shops and homes were looted, swathes of the Soviet Union. Terror and
resulting in streets littered with broken genocide were instigated in all occupied
glass. Hitler’s plans to conquer Europe were territories. The decision to exterminate all
realized in March 1938, with Jews in Europe was taken at the Wannsee
the “Anschluss” (annexation) Conference in Berlin in January 1942.
of Austria, then in 1939 Attempts to oppose Hitler in Germany
German forces occupied were crushed. The course of the war did
Czechoslovakia. not change until 1943, when on 31 January
After obtaining Germany suffered a major defeat in the Battle
peace guarantees of Stalingrad.
from the USSR, The Allied landings in Normandy and the
Germany invaded creation of the second front helped bring the
Poland on 1 war to an end. When Soviet forces reached
September 1939, Berlin in 1945 the city lay in ruins and the
Pieta, sculpture by Käthe thus starting populace was starving. During five and a half
Kollwitz (1937–8) World War II. years, 55 million people had lost their lives.

1935 Enactment of 1938 Anschluss with
law to build up army Austria; occupation 1 Sep 1939 German invasion of
of Czechoslovakia Poland; the beginning of World War II
30 Jan 1933 Hitler
appointed Chancellor 9/10 Nov 1938 The Enigma Code machine
of the Reich “Kristallnacht”
1930 1935 1940 1945
1936 Berlin
Olympics 22 Jun 1941 30 Apr 1945
Poster for the Germany Hitler commits
Berlin Olympics 1935 November laws sanction invades USSR 20 Jan 1942 suicide as
in 1936 persecution of Jews Wannsee conference Soviet troops
enter Berlin

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