Year
Event
1918Start of the German Revolution
End of World War One
1919
Spartacist Revolt
German Workers’ Party formed
Weimar Republic established
Treaty of Versailles signed
1920Kapp Putsch fails
Nazi Party formed
1923France/Belgium occupy the Ruhr
Munich Putsch fails
Hyperinflation in Germany
Year
Event
1924 Hitler writes ‘Mein Kampf’
1925 SS (Schutzstaffel) formed
1926 Hitler Youth formed
1927 Start of Nuremburg rallies
1928 Hitler reorganises Nazi Party
1929 Global depression
1930 German election (Nazis, 18.3%)
1932 German election (Nazis, 37.4%)
1933 Hitler becomes German Chancellor
1918
Start of the German Revolution
At the end of World War One, many Germans followed
Russia and led a revolution, including the Navy’s Kiel
Mutiny.
It lead to the Kaiser abdicating and Germany
becoming a republic.
1918
End of World War One
The First World War raged from 1914-1918. It finally
ended when Germany surrendered.
The war ended on 11 November, 1918. Many Germans were shocked at
their surrender.
1919
Spartacist Revolt
The Spartacist Revolt was a general strike and series of violent protests aimed at securing left-
wing revolution. Its failure marked the end
of the German Revolution.
1919
DAP formed
The Germans Workers’ Party (in German
shortened to DAP) was a political party aimed at securing a stronger
Germany. It was founded by Anton
Drexler.
1919
Weimar Republic established
A new democratic government system was
established in Germany to replace imperial
government. It was named after the German city in
which it was agreed; Weimar.
1919
Treaty of Versailles signed
Although WW1 ended in 1918, the legal agreement
was not signed until 28 June 1919.
The Treaty forced Germany to give up land, most of its
armed forces and pay reparations too.
1920
Kapp Putsch fails
The putsch was a violent attempt to overthrow the
democratic Weimar Government. It failed when
most Germans joined a general strike in protest.
1920
Nazi Party formed
The German Workers’ Party changed its name to the
National Socialist German Workers’ Party
(NSDAP, or Nazi). One of its new members was Adolf
Hitler.
1923
France/Belgium invade Ruhr
Germany was not paying back the reparations
agreed under the Treaty of Versailles. France and
Belgium marched into the Ruhr – Germany’s industrial
zone – to control and get their money that way.
1923
Munich Putsch fails
Hitler tried to lead a violent overthrow of the German government, starting in a Munch Beer Hall. Hitler
was put on trial and sent to prison for nine months.
The trial made Hitler famous across Germany.
1923
Hyperinflation starts
Inflation had been increasing in Germany
since 1921 due to the cost of reparations. In 1923 it massively shot, leading to millions of people losing
their savings and becoming destitute.
1924
Hitler writes ’Mein Kampf’
Hitler wrote a book when in prison called ‘Mein Kampf’
(‘My Struggle’). It was about his life and plans for Germany in the future. It eventually became a best
selling book.
1925
SS formed
The Schutzstaffel (or SS) was the guard unit of the Nazi Party. It was made of
volunteers and also officially their job was to
protect the party, they were in fact hugely violent.
1926
Hitler Youth formed
The Hitler Youth was the section of the Nazi Party
that young men joined. It was effectively a training ground for future Nazi
members, SS guards and, eventually, soldiers.
1927
Start of Nuremburg rallies
From 1923, the Nazi Party held huge rallies to
promote its message. From 1927 onwards they were all held in the city of Nuremburg. Thousands of people would attend to
hear Hitler speak.
1924-1928
Hitler reorganises Nazi Party
Between 1924-1928, Hitler made major changes to the way that the Nazi Party was run. As well as the SS and
Nazi Youth, he hired Joseph Goebbels to work on propaganda and won
business backing too.
1929
Global depression
The US Stock Market Crash of 1929 caused
massive financial problems all across the globe. Millions became unemployed, lost their
savings and were forced to live in poverty.
1930
German elections
The 1930 elections showed that support for
the Nazi Party was growing. They secured 18.3% of all the votes, making them a major
power in the Reichstag, the German Parliament.
1932
German elections
The Nazis were even more successful at this election.
They were the biggest single party, gaining 37.4%
of the votes. Hitler was offered the chance to be
Vice-Chancellor but declined.
1933
Hitler becomes Chancellor
Hitler’s power and the actions of other political parties led to German President, Paul von
Hindenburg appointing the Nazi leader as
German Chancellor, giving him huge powers.