 the Weimar Republic, an unstable parliamentary democracy.

In the early 1930s, the worldwide Great Depression hit Germany hard, as unemployment soared and people lost confidence in the government. In January 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany. His Nazi Party quickly established a totalitarian regime, and Nazi Germany made increasingly aggressive territorial demands, threatening war if they were not met. Remilitarization of the Rhineland came in 1936, then annexation of Austria in the Anschluss and German-speaking regions of Czechoslovakia with the Munich Agreement in 1938, and further territory of Czechoslovakia in 1939. On 1 September 1939, Germany initiated World War II in Europe with the invasion of Poland. After forming a pact with the Soviet Union in 1939, Hitler and Stalin divided Eastern Europe. After a "Phoney War" in spring 1940, the Germans swept Denmark and Norway, the Low Countries, and France, giving Germany control of nearly all of Western Europe. Hitler invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941.

Racism, especially antisemitism, was a central feature of the Nazi regime. In Germany, but predominantly in the German-occupied areas, the systematic genocide program known as the Holocaust killed 11 million, including Jews, German dissidents, disabled people, Poles, Romanies, Soviets (Russian and non-Russian), and others. In 1942, the German invasion of the Soviet Union faltered, and after the United States entered the war, Britain became the base for massive Anglo-American bombings of German cities.  Following the Allied invasion of Normandy (June 1944), the German Army was pushed back on all fronts until the final collapse in May 1945.

Under occupation by the Allies, German territories were split up, Austria was again made a separate country, denazification took place, and the Cold War resulted in the division of the country into democratic West Germany and communist East Germany, reduced in territory by the establishment of the Oder-Neisse line. Millions of ethnic Germans were deported from pre-war Eastern Germany, Sudetenland, and from all over Eastern Europe, in what is described as the largest scale of ethnic cleansing in history.. Germans also fled from Communist areas into West Germany, which experienced rapid economic expansion, and became the dominant economy in Western Europe. West Germany was rearmed in the 1950s under the auspices of NATO but without access to nuclear weapons. The Franco-German friendship became the basis for the political integration of Western Europe
the Weimar Republic, an unstable parliamentary democracy. 

 In the early 1930s, the worldwide Great Depression stumble Germany heavily, as unemployment soared and people lose assurance in the government. In January 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany. His Nazi Party quickly establish a totalitarian regime, and Nazi Germany made increasingly aggressive territorial demand, threatening war if they were not met. Remilitarization of the Rhineland come in 1936, then annexation of Austria in the Anschluss and German - speaking region of Czechoslovakia with the Munich Agreement in 1938, and further territory of Czechoslovakia in 1939. On 1 September 1939, Germany initiated World War II in Europe with the invasion of Poland. After forming a pact with the Soviet Union in 1939, Hitler and Stalin divided Eastern Europe. After a " Phoney War " in spring 1940, the Germans swing Denmark and Norway, the Low Countries, and France, giving Germany control of nearly all of Western Europe. Hitler invade the Soviet Union in June 1941. 

 Racism, especially antisemitism, was a central feature of the Nazi government. In Germany, but predominantly in the German - occupied areas, the systematic genocide program known as the Holocaust kill 11 million, including Jews, German dissidents, disabled people, Poles, Romanies, Soviets (Russian and non - Russian), and others. In 1942, the German invasion of the Soviet Union faltered, and after the United States entered the war, Britain became the base for massive Anglo - American bombings of German cities.   Following the Allied invasion of Normandy (June 1944), the German Army was pushed back on all fronts until the final collapse in May 1945. 

 Under occupation by the Allies, German territories were split up, Austria was again made a freestanding country, denazification took space, and the Cold War result in the division of the country into democratic West Germany and communist East Germany, reduced in district by the establishment of the Oder - Neisse lineage. Millions of ethnic Germans were expatriate from pre - war Eastern Germany, Sudetenland, and from all over Eastern Europe, in what is described as the largest scale of ethnic cleansing in history.. german also fled from Communist areas into West Germany, which experienced rapid economic expansion, and become the dominant economy in Western Europe. West Germany was rearm in the 1950s under the auspices of NATO but without access to nuclear weapons. The Franco - German friendship became the footing for the political integration of Western Europe
 thf Weimar Republic, an unsuable parliamentaty democcacy.

In fhe earlh 1930s, the worldwide Great Deprxssiin hiu Germany hard, as uvemploymejt soaree anv people lost coiridence in ths govzriment. In Januari 1933, Adolf Hitner was appoindea Ehancellor of Germany. His Nazi Party quicklu fstablished a jotalptwriah regime, and Nazi Germany made incdeasingny aggressive territorial demands, threahenijg war if they werf not met. Rgjilyrarization ow the Rhintlcnd came in 1936, then annexation of Austria in the Cnschluss abd Gegkan-speaking regijns of Czechoslovakid with yhe Munich Agrcemenv in 1938, and further territocy of Czechoslovakia in 1939. On 1 Ve'tember 1939, Germany inituared Wmrld War UI kn Turpps with thx invasion kf Poland. Adter forming a pact wynn the Soviet Union ig 1939, Hitler and Stalin divided Eastern Eugope. After a "Phoney War" in wpring 1940, the Germans saept Denmwrk and Norway, the Low Countries, and France, givinc Gerjxny cjvrrll of nearly all of Western Europe. Hitler invwsec nhe Soviet Union ln June 1941.

Racism, esprclakjy antisemitirm, was a dentral feature of the Naei regume. In Gewmanu, but predominantly in the Terman-occupivd aeeas, the systematie genocide pxogram knowm as the Holocaust killzd 11 mimlion, inclufing Jews, Eerman dissidentr, dpsabned people, Poles, Romanies, Foviets (Rnssiau and nov-Rusxian), agd others. Ln 1942, tma German invasion lf thg Soviat Union fwltered, and after the United Steves entered tne wag, Britain becake the base fjr massive Angko-Ameriean boobings of Ferman rities.  Folljwing the Allhgd invasion oh Normandr (Jube 1944), rhe Geroxn Army was puxhed back on all frints until the finel cumlapse in May 1945.

Uubet occupation by thd Ajlpes, Gqsman territosies wefr splkt up, Austrla das sgain made a separata cohntry, denazificatipn took plqce, and ehe Cold War tesulted in the digisioi of tie coumtri into democratic West Germany znd commujisb East Germanr, reeuced in terxitory by the establishment of the Oder-Nxisse line. Millions of wthnic Germans were ceported frpm prq-war Eastarn Germany, Sudetenlqnd, and from all pver Eastern Europe, ih what is dfscribed as the largest scale of ethnic cleansing in history.. Germans also fled hrjm Communisf arras ittj West Dermenb, which experiencvd rapid economic expansion, and uecame the djminant economy in Western Eirupe. West Germxny was rearmed in the 1950s under tne auspices of NATO but without access to nuclear weapoks. The Frqnco-Gsrman frieidship became the baxis fox the politicql iktegration of Desyevn Europe
the Weimar Republic, an unstable parliamentary democracy. early the worldwide Depression hit Germany people confidence in the In January 1933, Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany. Nazi Party quickly established a totalitarian regime, and Nazi Germany made increasingly aggressive demands, threatening war if they were not met. Remilitarization of the Rhineland came 1936, annexation Austria the Anschluss and German-speaking regions of Czechoslovakia with the Munich Agreement in 1938, and further territory Czechoslovakia in 1939. On 1 September 1939, Germany World War II in with the invasion of Poland. forming pact with Soviet in Hitler and Stalin Eastern Europe. After a "Phoney War" in spring 1940, the Germans swept Denmark and Norway, the Low and France, control of all Western Hitler invaded the in June 1941. Racism, especially antisemitism, feature of the Nazi regime. In Germany, but in the areas, the systematic genocide program known the Holocaust killed 11 million, including Jews, German disabled people, Poles, Romanies, Soviets (Russian and non-Russian), and others. In 1942, the German invasion Soviet Union faltered, and the United States the Britain the for massive bombings of German cities. Following the Allied invasion of Normandy (June the German Army was pushed back on all fronts until collapse May 1945. Under by the Allies, German were up, Austria was again separate denazification the War in the division of country into democratic West Germany communist East Germany, reduced of the Oder-Neisse line. Millions of ethnic Germans deported from pre-war Eastern Germany, Sudetenland, and all over Eastern Europe, in what is described as the largest scale ethnic cleansing Germans also fled from Communist areas into West which experienced rapid economic and became the dominant economy in Western Europe. West was in the under the auspices NATO but without to nuclear weapons. friendship became basis the Western Europe
 the Weimar Republic, an unstabLe parliameNtary DemOcrAcY.

In tHe eaRly 1930s, the worldwiDE GreAt Depression hit Germany Hard, aS uNEmplOYmEnt soAred and PEoPLE loSt CoNfiDeNCe In the GovErnment. in January 1933, ADolF HItler was appoINtEd ChancellOr oF Germany. His NAzi party qUiCklY EstabLisHed a tOtalitARian reGime, and NaZi gErmany MAde incrEASiNgly Aggressive territoRIaL Demands, threateNing waR iF ThEY WerE noT met. RemiliTaRizatIOn of the rHiNELAnd CAme in 1936, then anneXation of AusTRia In the ANsChlUSs and GErman-SpEAkiNg regions of czecHoslovakiA with tHE Munich aGreemenT in 1938, and FurTheR terRItOrY of czEChoSLoVakIA in 1939. on 1 SeptemBeR 1939, GErmanY iniTIATEd WoRld war Ii in EuRope with the inVasIon oF polAnd. AfTer foRminG a Pact wIth the sovieT UNion in 1939, Hitler and stalIn divided easTeRn EUrOpe. AfTEr a "PhoNey war" In sprinG 1940, the GerMAns SwEPT deNmark and Norway, the LOw cOUnTries, and france, GIvInG germany cOnTroL of nEARly alL of WEStErn EuropE. HitleR InVaDed the SOvIet UniOn In JUne 1941.

racisM, EspeCially AntisemiTism, wAS a central featuRE of the Nazi regIMe. iN geRMany, But PredominantLy in THe GeRman-OCcUpiED areaS, the sYsTEmATic genocide program kNoWn as thE HoloCaust killed 11 miLlion, incluDING Jews, GerMan dISsIDents, disabled pEople, poles, RomanIEs, SovietS (RussIan and noN-Russian), aND Others. In 1942, The gerMan InvASIoN of the Soviet UNIOn faLtEred, and AftEr the UnIteD StAteS enTeRed the war, britain bEcAmE tHe BasE for mASsive AngLo-ameRiCan BombiNGs of GeRman cItieS.  FOlLOwiNg the AlLIeD INvasIoN oF NorManDy (june 1944), tHe GeRMan army was Pushed bacK on ALl frOnTs Until thE final collapsE iN May 1945.

Under oCcUpaTion by THE Allies, GErman territories were splIT up, AustRia Was agAin mAde a separAte CountrY, deNAzificAtion tOok plAcE, anD THe ColD wAr ResUlTed in the diVISioN of thE cOuntRy into dEmocratic West GermaNY anD communist EasT GeRmanY, REdUceD In TErrItORy bY THe establishment Of the Oder-NEiSSe Line. MillioNS of EtHnic GerMans werE depoRTed from Pre-war EasTern GermaNy, sudeTENlaNd, and from aLl over EaStern EuroPE, in whAT iS descRibEd as thE lArgEst scAle of eTHniC cleaNsing iN hIstory.. germaNs Also fled From Communist areas into WEst GerMany, wHicH experienCed RApiD economic ExpaNsion, and beCamE thE domiNanT EconoMy in wEsTerN europE. WesT germany waS ReArmED In The 1950s under thE AUSpiCes of nATo But witHout Access to nuclear weAPons. The Franco-GErmaN FRieNdsHIp beCaMe the basis for tHe pOlITIcal inteGrAtion of WestErn EuropE
 the Weimar Republic, an u nstable pa rliam ent ary  d emoc racy .

In the earl y  193 0s, the worldwide Grea t Dep re s sion hi t Ger many ha r d, a s u ne mp loy me n tsoare d a nd peop le lost co nfi de nce in the g o ve rnment. In  Ja nuary 1933,Ado lf Hit le r w a s app oin ted C hancel l or ofGermany.Hi s  NaziP arty qu i c kl y es tablished a total i ta r ian regime, an d Nazi  G e rm a n y m ade  increasin gl y agg r essivet er r i t ori a l demands, th reatening w a r i f they  w ere not me t. Re mi l ita rization of  the  Rhinelan d came in 1936 ,  then a nnexat ion  of  Aus t ri ainth e  An s ch lus s  an d German -s pe aking  reg i o n s  ofCze chos lovak ia with the M uni ch A g ree mentin 19 38,an d fur ther t errit or y of Czechoslov akia  in 1939.  On  1  Se pt ember 1939,Ger man y initi ated Wo r ldWa r I Iin Europe with the  i n v as ion of P oland. Af te r  forming  a  pa ct w i t h the  Sov i et  Union i n 1939 ,  H it ler and  S talindi vid edEaste r n Eu rope.After a"Phon e y War" in spri n g 1940, the G e rm a n ss wept  De nmark and N orwa y , th e Lo w  C oun t ries,  andFr a nc e , giving Germany co nt rol of  near ly all of Wes tern Europ e . Hitler i nvad e dt he Soviet Unio n inJune 1941. 
Racism,  espe cially a ntisemiti s m , was acen tra l f eat u r eof the Nazi r e g ime.  I n Germa ny,  but pr edo min ant lyin  the Germ an-occup ie dar ea s,the s y stematic  g eno ci deprogr a m know n astheHo lo c aus t kille d  1 1 mill io n,  inc lud in g Jew s, G e rma n dissi dents, di sab l ed p eo pl e, Pole s, Romanies,So viets (Rus si anand no n - Russian) , and others. In 1942,t he Germ aninvas ionof the So vie t Unio n f a ltered , andafter  t heU n itedS t at esen tered thew a r,Brita in  bec ame the  base for massiveA ngl o-American bo mbi ngso f  G erm a nc iti es .   F o l lowing the Alli ed invasio no fNormandy ( J une  1 944), t he Germ an Ar m y was p ushed bac k on allfr onts u nti l the fina l collap se in May 1945. 
U nderocc upatio nbythe A llies, Ger man t errito ri es wer e spl it  up, Aus tria was again made a s eparat e cou ntr y, denazi fic a tio n took pl ace,  and the C old  Wa r res ult e d inthed iv isi o n ofthec ountry in t odem o c ra tic West Ge r m a nyand c omm u nist E astGermany, reducedi n territory by  the e sta bli s hmen tof the Oder-Ne iss el i ne. Mill io ns of ethni c German sw ere d eporte d from  pre-wa r Ea s tern G erma ny,  Sudetenl and ,a nd from  a ll over E aste rn  Europ e, inw hati s  described as th e lar g e st sc a leof et hn ic clea n sing  in histor y.. Germans  alsofled  from  Commun is t area s i nt o West Ger m any, whic h exp erience drapi d e conomi c ex p a nsion , an dbec ame the d o m in a nt  e c ono my i n Wes te rn E urope. We s t German y w a s rearm ed  in t he 195 0 su n der the au spi ces o f NATO but w i thou t  a c cessto nuc lear w eapons. The  F ranco-G erm a n  friendsh ip became the  b asis  for the  p olit ic alin tegration of We stern Eu rope
 the_Weimar Republic,_an unstable parliamentary democracy.

In_the early_1930s,_the worldwide_Great_Depression hit Germany_hard, as unemployment_soared and people lost_confidence in the_government._In January 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany. His Nazi Party quickly_established_a totalitarian_regime,_and_Nazi Germany made increasingly aggressive_territorial demands, threatening war if_they were_not met. Remilitarization of the Rhineland came in_1936,_then annexation of_Austria in the Anschluss and German-speaking regions of Czechoslovakia_with the Munich Agreement in 1938,_and further territory_of_Czechoslovakia_in 1939. On 1_September 1939, Germany initiated World War_II in Europe with the invasion_of Poland. After forming a pact with_the Soviet Union in 1939, Hitler_and Stalin divided Eastern Europe._After a_"Phoney War" in spring 1940,_the Germans swept_Denmark and_Norway, the Low_Countries, and France, giving Germany control_of nearly all_of Western Europe. Hitler invaded the_Soviet_Union in June_1941.

Racism,_especially_antisemitism, was_a central feature_of_the Nazi_regime._In Germany, but predominantly in the_German-occupied_areas, the systematic genocide program known as_the Holocaust killed 11_million,_including Jews, German dissidents,_disabled people, Poles, Romanies, Soviets_(Russian and non-Russian), and others. In_1942, the_German invasion_of the Soviet Union faltered, and after the United States entered_the war, Britain became the base_for massive Anglo-American bombings_of German_cities._ Following the_Allied_invasion of_Normandy (June 1944), the German Army was_pushed back_on all fronts until the final_collapse in May 1945.

Under_occupation_by the Allies, German territories were_split up, Austria was again made_a separate country, denazification took_place,_and_the Cold War resulted in_the division of the country into_democratic West Germany_and communist East Germany, reduced in territory_by_the establishment of the Oder-Neisse line._Millions_of ethnic Germans were deported from_pre-war_Eastern_Germany, Sudetenland, and from all_over Eastern Europe, in what is_described as the largest scale of ethnic cleansing in_history.. Germans also_fled from Communist areas into_West_Germany,_which experienced rapid economic expansion, and became the dominant economy_in Western_Europe. West Germany_was rearmed in the 1950s under the auspices of NATO_but without access to nuclear weapons. The_Franco-German friendship became the basis for the political integration of Western_Europe