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The Iron Cross

Camden Schulte and Sean Scott

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What was it?

The Iron cross was a Prussian military award for distinguished service in war. It was first used in 1813 during the Prussian war for liberation but was later used in World War 1 by Adolf Hitler and Germany. The Iron Cross has 8 ranks to it. Going from lowest to highest second class; first class; Knight’s cross; Knight’s cross with oak leaves; with oak leaves and swords; with oak leaves, swords, and diamonds; with golden oak leaves, swords, and diamonds; and then the highest the Grand Cross.

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2023, February 4). Iron Cross. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Iron-Cross

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2023, February 4). Iron Cross. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Iron-Cross

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Who earned it?

  • Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg
  • English Germanophile Houston Stewart Chamberlain
  • Hermann Göring
  • 5,719,300 other people

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2023, February 4). Iron Cross. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Iron-Cross

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How did you earn it?

In World War II, Adolf Hitler allowed citizens and Germans from allied nations to receive the Cross for exceptional courage and leadership displayed against the enemy.

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2023, February 4). Iron Cross. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Iron-Cross

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Importance of Iron Cross

The Iron Cross was important because it helped show the efforts of german soldiers in several different wars. It also helped by showing giving away the important people in german ranks by making them wear a different pin.

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Check Your Understanding

Where does the Iron Cross origanly come from

  1. Russia
  2. Prussia
  3. France

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Answer

2.) Prussia

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Check Your Understanding

How many people earned the Iron Cross

  1. 950 Thousand
  2. 3.7 Million
  3. 5.7 Million

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Answer

3.) 5.7 Million people

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Check Your Understanding

How many ranks are there in the Iron Cross

  1. 12 Ranks
  2. 4 Ranks
  3. 8 Ranks

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Answer

3.) 8 Ranks