The German Empire lasted from 1871 to 1945, although it dates back to the empires of Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire. Created by the will of the “Iron Chancellor” Bismarck, it united the scattered German lands into a strong state that defeated France and captured a number of colonies. Subsequently, the Third Reich, under the leadership of Hitler, was able to subjugate almost all of Europe. But by attacking Russia, he signed his own death warrant. Thus, over the course of less than a century, the German nation, which dreamed of ruling the world, as a result of fascist ideology, was overthrown from its former heights.