Holocaust timeline by Aiden Allary

Hitler became chancellor Jan 30 1933

aa631 — 2025-09-29 16:19:25 UTC

In Germany, President Paul von Hindenburg chose Adolf Hitler to be the country’s chancellor, giving him power through legal means instead of violence. But soon after, Hitler and the Nazi Party used that power to take away people’s freedoms, changing Germany from a democracy—where people had a voice—into a dictatorship controlled by fear.

Establishment of Dachau Concentration camp, March 22,1933

aa631 — 2025-09-29 16:24:50 UTC

In 1933, near the town of Dachau, the Nazis built their first concentration camp to lock up anyone who disagreed with them. Over the next twelve years, more than 188,000 people suffered there, and tens of thousands lost their lives under brutal conditions. Dachau became a place of fear and pain, standing as one of the longest-running symbols of Nazi cruelty.

Death of president Von Hindenburg, August 2,1934

aa631 — 2025-09-29 16:27:17 UTC

Following the death of President Paul von Hindenburg, Chancellor Adolf Hitler strategically consolidated power within the German state. Prior to Hindenburg's passing, Hitler orchestrated the passage of legislation through the Reich Cabinet that effectively merged the offices of president and chancellor. This action eliminated the traditional separation of powers and centralized authority in Hitler's hands. Consequently, Hitler assumed the title of "Führer und Reichskanzler," signifying his dual role as both leader and chancellor. To legitimize this consolidation of power, a referendum was announced, seeking popular approval for the transformation of the German government. This series of events marked a critical juncture in German history, paving the way for Hitler's establishment of a totalitarian regime.

Ban on Jehovah's Witness organization April 1,1935

aa631 — 2025-09-29 16:35:39 UTC

Nuremberg Race laws, September 15 1935

aa631 — 2025-09-29 16:38:34 UTC

the German government banned Jehovah's Witnesses because they wouldn't pledge loyalty to the state or join the army. This led to them being thrown in jail, tortured, and even killed. Around 1,000 German Jehovah's Witnesses died in camps and prisons, plus another 400 from other countries. About 250 were executed for refusing to fight.

Adolf hitler's first written statement about the "Jewish Question"

aa631 — 2025-09-30 16:52:55 UTC

In 1919, Adolf Hitler wrote a letter to a fellow soldier named Adolf Gemlich, sharing his hateful ideas about Jewish people. In it, he wrongly described Jews as a race instead of a religious group and claimed they should be completely removed from society. This letter, later called the Gemlich letter, was the first time Hitler clearly expressed his antisemitic beliefs in writing. It showed the early beginnings of the dangerous thinking that would later shape the Nazi Party.

Decree on "Combating the Gypsy plague" June 6 1936

aa631 — 2025-09-30 17:09:40 UTC

In 1936, the Nazis made this "Decree on Combating the Gypsy Plague." Basically, it was an excuse to crack down on Roma and Sinti people, round them up, and kick them out of the country. They even targeted people who they thought were living like "gypsies." This decree became the legal reason for throwing them into camps.

Olympic games open in Berlin August 1 1936

aa631 — 2025-09-30 17:14:23 UTC

Nazi government used the games for propaganda, temporarily removing anti-Jewish signs and including a Jewish athlete, Helene Mayer, on the German team. They also suspended the enforcement of Paragraph 175 for foreign visitors. The games attracted athletes and spectators worldwide.

German Annexation of Austria March 11-13 1938

aa631 — 2025-09-30 17:16:14 UTC

German Annexation of Austria in March 1938. Basically, the Nazis pressured the Austrian Chancellor to resign, Austrian Nazis took over, and German troops marched in. Then, they signed a law to unify Austria with Germany. After that, violence against Jewish people broke out.

Kristallnacht November 09, 1938

aa631 — 2025-09-30 17:16:44 UTC

Nazis and nazi supporters carried out a wave of violence they burned down synagogues and looted jewish people house and businesses and in the night almost 100 jewish people lost there lives