The Holocaust is defined as large-scale destruction or massacre, particularly caused by fire or nuclear war. After 1945, the word took on a new meaning in reference to the mass massacre of millions of European Jews as well as other persecuted groups (gypsies and homosexuals) by the German Nazi regime during World War II. In Europe, Jews have experienced anti-Semitism (hostility or prejudice against Jews) dating back to the ancient world, when Jewish temples were destroyed and they were forced to leave Palestine by Roman authorities. This widespread hatred of Jews increased the virulent mentality behind the Holocaust. On the night of January 30, 1933, an event occurred that spearheaded the Holocaust: Adolf Hitler was named Chancellor of Germany. Born in Austria in 1889, Hitler served during World War I in the German army. Like many widespread anti-Semites in Germany, Adolf Hitler blamed Jews for Germany's defeat in World War I in 1918. During Hitler's imprisonment in 1923, he wrote a memoir, "Mein Kampf" ( My Fight), which predicted a European war which would result in “the extermination of the Jewish race in Germany”. After his release from prison, Hitler resurrected the Nazi Party. He quickly became the sole leader of the Nazi Party and therefore all decisions were in his hands. The Nazi Party began to multiply, growing from 27,000 members (1925) to 108,000 (1929). Adolf Hitler was fascinated by the concept of superiority of the “pure” German race. He viewed Jews as an inferior race and a threat to German racial purity. After the death of President Paul von Hindenburg, Adolf Hitler named himself "Führer", making him the supreme leader of Germany. At the beginning...... middle of paper ......Greenhaven, 2001. Print.Bergen, Doris L. The Holocaust: A Concise History. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2009. Print. Fischel, Jack. The Holocaust. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1998. Print. Fredj, Jacques. Kristallnacht: the pogrom of November 1938. Paris: Mémorial De La Shoah, 2008. Print. Goss, Jennifer L. “The Nuremberg laws of 1935”. About.com 20th century history. Np, and Web. December 15, 2013. “HOLOCAUST HISTORY – TIMELINE”. HISTORY OF THE HOLOCAUST – CHRONOLOGY. Np, and Web. December 21, 2013. “The Holocaust.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, and Web. December 20, 2013. “Holocaust Timeline.” Chronology. Np, and Web. December 21. 2013. .