The German Occupation refers to the period during World War II when Nazi Germany controlled various countries in Europe. This occupation began after Germany invaded Poland in 1939 and expanded to include nations like France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The German military enforced strict rules and often used violence to suppress resistance. During the occupation, the German government implemented policies that affected daily life, including forced labor and the confiscation of property. Many countries experienced significant hardships, including food shortages and persecution of specific groups, particularly the Jewish population, leading to the tragic events of the Holocaust.