The Third Reich
A Zeppelin flies past the Berliner Dom
In September 1935 a new German law banned relationships between Jews and "Aryans." This was the beginning of the end of the "Third Reich," but it would take ten more horrendous years before it fell.
From 1936 to 1945 Nazi Germany aggressively expanded its territories in Europe, eventually making full-fledged war with its neighbors. The city of Berlin was its great capital, and our German ancestors were now citizens of Berlin. Although millions of deaths of innocent people were eventually ordered by the brilliant, but mad dictator, Adolf Hitler, many ordinary soldiers believed they were doing their duty to fight for their country. "On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country..." American Boy Scouts have been affirming this Oath since 1910, and in Germany, Scouting was no different. That is until 1934 when the Nazis closed them down and made members join the Hitler Youth movement. Young men in both countries were expected to do their "duty," and it is not always clear what that duty is, or which country is right or wrong, until one can look back and see the larger picture.
Hitler had charisma, but he led by fear and misdirection. He promised a golden age and a new Reich (or empire), that would be the envy of the world. And if you questioned his methods or his goals, you were squashed like a bug! So you did your duty, and you went to war. An interesting link is the 1918-1945 "Nazi" Germany Timeline.
Our dear Omi and Opa struggled through the terrible war. Read their stories under Omi's Story and Opa's Story.
From 1936 to 1945 Nazi Germany aggressively expanded its territories in Europe, eventually making full-fledged war with its neighbors. The city of Berlin was its great capital, and our German ancestors were now citizens of Berlin. Although millions of deaths of innocent people were eventually ordered by the brilliant, but mad dictator, Adolf Hitler, many ordinary soldiers believed they were doing their duty to fight for their country. "On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country..." American Boy Scouts have been affirming this Oath since 1910, and in Germany, Scouting was no different. That is until 1934 when the Nazis closed them down and made members join the Hitler Youth movement. Young men in both countries were expected to do their "duty," and it is not always clear what that duty is, or which country is right or wrong, until one can look back and see the larger picture.
Hitler had charisma, but he led by fear and misdirection. He promised a golden age and a new Reich (or empire), that would be the envy of the world. And if you questioned his methods or his goals, you were squashed like a bug! So you did your duty, and you went to war. An interesting link is the 1918-1945 "Nazi" Germany Timeline.
Our dear Omi and Opa struggled through the terrible war. Read their stories under Omi's Story and Opa's Story.
To fully understand this complicated period of history, read Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, by William L. Shirer, 1960.
The 'Zeppelin over Berlin' is from a postcard. (The photos are over 70 years old so they are out of copyright.)