5 January 1919
The Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, DAP (German Workers’ Party), is founded in Munich by Anton Drexler and members of a nationalist-racist society (Thule Gesellschaft). 12 September 1919
Hitler joins the DAP. February 1920
The DAP is renamed to Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, NSDAP (National Socialist German Workers’ Party). 29 July 1921
After threatening once more to leave the party, Hitler is voted First Chairman with special powers. 29–31 January 1922
Party conference of the NSDAP in Munich, approx. 6,000 members. May 1923
Formation of Hitler’s Stoßtrupp, precursor of the SS. 8–9 November 1923
Failed Hitler Putsch in Munich. In its wake the NSDAP (approx. 55,000 members) and other extreme right-wing organizations are banned. 8 July 1925
The first volume of Hitler’s Mein Kampf is published. 3–4 July 1926
Second NSDAP-party conference in Weimar, founding of the Hitler Youth. 5 May 1927
The NSDAP is banned in Berlin and other Prussian cities (until 31 March 1928). 20 May 1928
Reichstag elections, the NSDAP receives 2.6 % of the vote. 25 October 1929
»Black Friday,« Wall Street Crash, the beginning of the worldwide Great Depression. 14 September 1930
Reichstag elections, spectacular success for the NSDAP (18.3 %, 107 seats). 13 July 1931
Many banks and firms are insolvent, climax of the world economic crisis in Germany. February 1932
Unemployment numbers in Germany reach a peak: 6,128,000. 31 July 1932
Reichstag elections, with 36.9 % NSDAP by far the strongest party. 13 August 1932
Hitler rejects Hindenburg’s offer to become vice-chancellor, NSDAP demands leadership in government. 30 January 1933
Hitler appointed Reich chancellor, coalition government of NSDAP, DNVP (German National People’s Party), and Stahlhelm (Steel Helmet, League of Frontline Soldiers). 1 February 1933
Dissolution of the Reichstag, new elections called for 5 March 1933. Hitler wants the absolute majority and a »legal« way to destroy the constitution. February–March 1933
Countless cases of violence by members of the NSDAP and the SA (Stormtroops) against individual Jews and Jewish businesses. 12 March 1933
The Nazi swastika flag becomes the flag of the Reich. 23 March 1933
Enabling Act to abolish parliamentary democracy. 14 July 1933
New law on political parties. The monopoly of the NSDAP is legalized and the parliament finally abolished. 20 June 1934
All concentration camps put under the command of Reich SS Leader Himmler. 1 March 1935
The Saar Region is reintegrated into the German Reich. 15 September 1935
»Nuremberg Laws:« Reich Citizenship Law, depriving German Jews of all civil rights; »Law protecting German Blood« forbids marriage and extramarital relations between Jews and Germans of »pure blood.« 3 October 1935
Italy invades Abyssinia. 7 March 1936
German troops march into the demilitarized Rhineland, thus violating the Versailles Treaty. 11 July 1936
Austro-German agreement on the reestablishment of friendly relations, depend-ence of Austria on Germany in foreign affairs. 1 November 1936
Mussolini announces the »Berlin-Rome Axis« in Milan. 12 February 1938
Agreement between Hitler and Austrian Federal Chancellor Schuschnigg.
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