The Third Reich

The Nazi rise to power brought an end to the Weimar Republic, a parliamentary democracy established in Germany after World War I. After Hitler came in office on January 30, 1933, the Nazi state (also referred to as the Third Reich) quickly became popular while Germans enjoyed no guaranteed basic rights. After a suspicious fire in the German Parliament, on February 28, 1933, the government ordered the suspension of constitutional civil rights and created a state of emergency in which official orders could be given without parliamentary approval. In the first months of Hitler's ruling, the Nazis formed individuals and groups with Nazi goals. Culture, the economy, education, and law all came under Nazi control. The Nazis also attempted to take over the German churches and, although not entirely successful, won support from a majority of Catholic and Protestant ministers. But this wasnt the first Reich. The First Reich was the Holy Roman Empire, which lasted from the 10th century until 1806. The Second Reich was the Hohenzollern Empire, which lasted from 1871 to 1918. The Third Reich was supposed to last 1,000 years (1933-2933) but only lasted for 12 years (1933-1945). The Nazis were also successful in securing support from Germany's educated and best professionals, including the legal, law enforcement, education, and medical professions. The Nazis also promised to tear up the Versailles Treaty, restore Germany to the ranks of the Great Powers, bring the nation out of the depression, take

back the streets from criminals and subversives, crush the communist threat, and open career opportunities for young professionals. The Nazis started by taking over smaller neighboring countries. Then they moved on to take over Spain, France, Norway, Poland, Nether and Italy. They also tried to take over England and Russia. Their demise started when they turned on Russia. They tried to invade Russia but it was too cold, they didnt have enough supplies and the red army knew their home far better than the Germans. They tried to invade Moscow but failed. They also decided to re-invade southern Russia and again failed. They lost approximately 3.8 million solders. The red army (Russians) later took over Berlin. Although Germany still had Japan an ally, Japan became preoccupied with attacking the U.S. The Japanese lost dis proportional to the Americans. Also they were bombed twice after Pearl Harbor and never really recovered from it. One week before the battle of Berlin Hitler and his one day wife committed suicide. She had cyanide only while he shot himself while biting a cyanide capsule. The war was over by May 7th, 1945. Following that was the Nierenberg trials. There were many different trials within the Nierenberg trials like the doctors trial and the Einsatzgruppen Trial. These trials lasted 1945-1949.

During testimony at the Doctors Trial, American medical expert Dr. Leo Alexander points to scars on Jadwiga Dzidos leg. Dzido, a member of the Polish underground, was a victim of medical experiments at the Ravensbrueck concentration camp. Nuremberg, Germany, December 22, 1946. NARA

Brigadier General Telford Taylor, Chief of Counsel, during the Doctors Trial, which was held in Nuremberg, Germany, from December 9, 1946, to August 20, 1947. USHMM

American judges (top row, from left) Harold Sebring, Walter B. Beals, Johnson Crawford, and Victor Swearingen during the Doctors Trial, which was held in Nuremberg, Germany, from December 9, 1946, to August 20, 1947. NARA

Defendants seated under guard in the dock behind the defense counsel during the Doctors Trial, which was held in Nuremberg, Germany, from December 9, 1946, to August 20, 1947. USHMM Hitler greets Muller the "Bishop of the Reich" and Abbot Schachleitner

Autobahn workers as guests of Hitler in the Berlin Sportpalast at Christmas in 1938. Note the Christmas trees on the right.

(Source: calvin.edu)

Hitler is celebrating Christmas with his soldiers.

This is Hitler praying!

The caption reads: "Der ergreifende Abschlub der Kundgebung in Wien: Wir treten zum Beten..."

[The touching and emotional end of the rally in Vienna: Let us pray...]

(Source: Hitler: The Hoffmann Photographs, Vol. 1, Ray R. Cowdery, Ed., 1990)

Hitler signing his autograph for a Christian fan

(Source: Hitler in Seinen Bergen, Heinrich Hoffmann, Berlin, den 24.9.35)

Country of occupation

See for further details

Albanian Kingdom

Albania under Germany

Federal State of Austria Anschluss

Belgium

Military Administration in Belgium and North France

Byelorussian SSR

Occupation of Belarus by Nazi Germany

Czechoslovakia

German occupation of Czechoslovakia

Denmark

Occupation of Denmark

Estonia

Occupation of Estonia by Nazi Germany

France

German military administration in occupied France during World War II

Kingdom of Greece

Axis occupation of Greece

Guernsey

Occupation of the Channel Islands

Kingdom of Hungary

Hungarian State

Kingdom of Italy

Italian Social Republic

Jersey

Occupation of the Channel Islands

Latvia

Occupation of Latvia by Nazi Germany

Lithuania

Occupation of Lithuania by Nazi Germany

Luxembourg

German occupation of Luxembourg in World War II

Monaco

History of Monaco

Netherlands

German occupation of the Netherlands

Norway

Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany

Poland

German military administration in occupied Poland Polish areas annexed by Nazi Germany General Government

San Marino

San Marino in World War II

Slovak Republic

Slovak National Uprising

Ukrainian SSR

Reichskommissariat Ukraine

Kingdom of Yugoslavia Invasion of Yugoslavia