1. GERMANY SURRENDERS
The End Of Hitler

2. Diary Entries
Canadian citizen on imminent German surrender

3. summer of 1944 Germany faced certain defeat
Hitler did not plan on surrendering
German soldiers continued to defend homeland
despite rising death toll

4. between 1944 and 1945 Hitler believed the invention of a “miracle weapon” would turn the war in his favour
most German scientists fled to Allied countries to escape the Nazis

6. Invading Germany
Feb Germany was defenceless. Their enemies were in full control
Hitler still refused to surrender
The Allied forces had almost total command of the air
Increasing evidence was discovered about Nazi Germany’s role in the Holocaust

7. Berlin Surrounded
With the Soviet Union approaching from the east and the Allies approaching from the west, Berlin was surrounded.
Hitler instructed a counterattack against the Russians to keep them from taking over Berlin.
Attack wasn’t carried out because German army was depleted and the men fighting were weak/tired. Not enough manpower to fight, leaving Germany defenseless.
The end for Germany was undeniable.

8. Hitler Commits Suicide
Hitler was trapped in his bunker under the Reich Chancellery building in the center of Berlin
Mussolini (Italian dictator) was captured, tortured and hung upside down in a gas station in Milan square, 2 days earlier
Hitler choose death instead of capture
On April 30th, 1945 after realizing imminent capture, Hitler shot himself.

9. Hitler's "Thousand-Year Reich" lasted 12 years and three months.
BBC News Player : Adolf Hitler is dead

10. Successors
In his will, Hitler made Karl Donitz his successor as: Head of State, President and Supreme Commander of the armed forces.
Also named Propaganda Minister, Joseph Goebbelsas, Head of Government with the title of Chancellor.

11. May 1st , Goebbelsas committed suicide
Donitz became soul representative of German Reich
Donitz knew that Germany's position was untenable
Donitz devoted most of his efforts to attempt to ensure German troops would surrender to the British or Americans and not the Soviets
Feared vengeful Soviet reprisals against Nazi party members and high-ranking officers.
Hoped to strike a deal with the western Allies

12. Surrender After Hitler’s suicide, German forces began to give in
On May 7th, 1945 at 2:41 am in a small school house located in Rheims, France the final unconditional surrender was signed
witnessed by Allies ( Britain, France, USA, & USSR)
signed by Alfred Jodl on behalf of the German High Command.

13. Tuesday, May 8th 1945 was 'Victory in Europe' (VE) Day
Winston Churchill: German surrender announcement May 7, YouTube

14. Diary Entries Canadian response to German Surrender
German Soldier response to German Surrender

15. Key Figures Hitler: German Dictator suicide led to German surrender
Karl Donitz: Hitler’s successor
appointed Head of State, President and Supreme Commander of the armed forces
Joseph Goebbelsas: Hitler’s other successor
appointed Head of Government, Chancellor of Germany (committed suicide the next day)
Count Ludwig Schwerin von Krosigk: replaced Goebblsas
Leading Minister (refused title of Chancellor)
Alfred Jodl
signed unconditional surrender on behalf of the German High Command

16. Importance of Event marked the formal end of Hitler's war
6 years of war in Europe were over
end of destruction & food rationing in Europe
half a million homes had been destroyed, and many millions of lives disrupted
World War 2 was almost done

17. Works Cited
Adams, Simon, and Simon Adams. Eyewitness World War II. London: DK Pub., Print.
Gilbert, Martin. The Second World War: A Complete History. New York: H. Holt, Print.
Grant, R. G. World War II: The Events and Their Impact on Real People. New York, NY: Dk Pub., Print.
Kershaw, Ian. Hitler. New York: W.W. Norton, Print.
Sheffield, Gary. "Victory in Europe Day." BBC News. BBC, Web. Apr <