Holocaust - Timeline - 1933

January 30

German President President Hindenburg appoints Adolf Hitler as Reich's Chancellor (Prime Minister).

February

The weekly publication Der Stürmer, devoted primarily to anti-Semitic propaganda and promoting hatred against the Jews, published since 1923 as the organ of the Nazi party, becomes the official organ of the party in power. The motto of the paper is "The Jews are our misfortune."

February 3

Hitler presents Lebensraum program

February 27

The Reichstag building (German parliament) is burned.

February 28, 1933

Hitler convinced President von Hindenburg to invoke an emergency clause in the Weimar Constitution. the German parliament then passed the Decree of the Reich President for the Protection of the Nation and State. (Reichstage Fire Decree). The decree suspended the civil rights in the German constitution of Nazi opponents. These rights included: freedom of speech, assembly, press and formed the basis for not letting Nazi opponets have judicial proceedings.

March 5

During the last free election in Germany, ostensibly called to obtain a vote of confidence, the Nazi party wins nearly 44 percent of the popular vote, more than twice as many votes as the next closest political party, the Social Democrats, with 18 percent. In a coalition with another right­wing party, Hitler takes full control of Germany.

March 9

Outbreak of rioting against German Jews by members of the S.A. and Stahlhelm (Nationalist ex­servicemen's organization).

March 20

First concentration camp, Dachau, established.

March 23

The Law for Removing the Distress of People and Reich (commonly known as the “Enabling Act”) is passed, giving the chancellor (Hitler) legislative authority.

April 1

A boycott of all Jewish shops in Germany instigated by the S.A. This action was also directed against Jewish physicians and lawyers. Jewish students were forbidden to attend schools and universities.

April 7

Law “for the re­creation of civil service professionalism.” Removal of many Jewish civil service employees. Exception made for front­line veterans of World War I.

April 11

Decree issued defining a non-Aryan as “anyone descended from non-Aryan, especially Jewish, parents or grandparents. One parent or grandparent classifies the descendant as non-Aryan...especially if one parent or grandparent was of the Jewish faith.”

April 21

Jewish ritual slaughter banned.

April 25

School quota system.

April 26

Formation of the Gestapo.

May 2

Dissolution of German trade unions

May 10

Burning of books written by Jews and opponents of Nazism.

June

Dachau concentration camp opens.

July 14

Law pertaining to the revocation of naturalization and cancellation of German citizenship. Primarily aimed at Jews naturalized since 1918 from the formerly Eastern German territories.

July 14

Nazi party declared only party in Germany.

July 14

Forced sterilization

July 20

Nazi government signs Reich concordat with the Vatican.

August 20

American Jewish Congress declares boycott against Nazi Germany.

August 25

Ha'avara agreement.

September 13

Race theory in German schools.

September 17

Reich representation of German Jews established.

September 22

Reich's Culture Ministry Law: Exclusion of Jewish writers and artists.

October 4

Editor Law: Exclusion of Jewish editors.

October 14

Germany quits League of Nations.

October 24

Nazis pass a law against “Habitual and Dangerous Criminals” that justifies placing the homeless, beggars, unemployed and alcoholics in concentration camps.

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