Few events have had a greater impact on human history than the ascension to power of the Nazi Party in Germany in January 1933. This was no coup: the party gained some power via democratic elections, although once it was established, it quickly took absolute control over all aspects of the state. Other parties were outlawed, and further elections were deemed "unnecessary."

However, Germany's image as a nation united under one man and committed to expansion through the application of science and technology was in reality an illusion. Nazi Germany was wracked by internal dissent, a chaotic system of rule and a leader who was willing to ignore the economic and resource needs of his nation. By the end of 1941, Germany appeared to be unassailable. Most of its European enemies had either been defeated or seemed to be on the point of defeat. The almost unbroken string of spectacular successes enjoyed by the German Army and air force suggested to many that these were simply unbeatable. Within less than four years, Germany had been utterly defeated, Hitler was dead and Germany itself was occupied by foreign armies.

The factors that led to this sudden and complete collapse had been present from the very beginning of the Nazi regime, but they had been hidden by early success in the face of uncertain and vacillating adversaries. In retrospect, we can clearly see that the fall of the Third Reich was probably inevitable, though it would shake Europe to its foundations, bring about an entirely new world order, and involve the deaths of tens of millions of people.