(1889-1945)

Who Was Adolf Hitler?
Adolf Hitler was chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, serving as dictator and leader of the Nazi Party, or National Socialist German Workers Party, for the bulk of his time in power.

Hitler’s fascist policies precipitated World War II and led to the genocide known as the Holocaust, which resulted in the deaths of some six million Jews and another five million noncombatants.

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Family
The fourth of six children, Hitler was born to Alois Hitler and Klara Polzl. As a child, Hitler clashed frequently with his emotionally harsh father, who also didn't approve of his son's later interest in fine art as a career.

Following the death of his younger brother, Edmund, in 1900, Hitler became detached and introverted.

Young Hitler
Hitler showed an early interest in German nationalism, rejecting the authority of Austria-Hungary. This nationalism would become the motivating force of Hitler's life.

In 1903, Hitler’s father died suddenly. Two years later, Hitler's mother allowed her son to drop out of school. After her death in December 1907, Hitler moved to Vienna and worked as a casual laborer and watercolor painter. He applied to the Academy of Fine Arts twice and was rejected both times.

Lacking money outside of an orphan's pension and funds from selling postcards, he stayed in homeless shelters. Hitler later pointed to these years as the time when he first cultivated his anti-Semitism, though there is some debate about this account.

In 1913, Hitler relocated to Munich. At the outbreak of World War I, he applied to serve in the German army. He was accepted in August 1914, though he was still an Austrian citizen.

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Adolf Hitler was a pivotal and controversial figure in 20th-century history, serving as the Chancellor of Germany from 1933 until his death in 1945. As the leader of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi Party), Hitler implemented fascist policies that not only triggered World War II but also led to the horrific genocide known as the Holocaust, which claimed the lives of approximately six million Jews and millions of other victims.

Early Life

Born on April 20, 1889, in Braunau am Inn, Austria, Hitler was the fourth of six children to Alois Hitler and Klara Polzl. He experienced a tumultuous childhood, often clashing with his authoritarian father, which led to a complicated family dynamic. The death of his younger brother, Edmund, in 1900 significantly affected Hitler, making him more withdrawn and introverted.

Pursuit of Art

Hitler's aspirations to become an artist were dashed in his youth, as he was rejected twice by the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. Following his mother's death in 1907, he struggled with poverty and lived in homeless shelters while trying to make a living through painting and selling postcards. It was during this tumultuous period in Vienna that he reportedly began to formulate his anti-Semitic beliefs, though the extent and roots of these views are still debated by historians.

Military Service

In 1913, Hitler moved to Munich, leaving Austria behind. When World War I erupted in 1914, he joined the German army despite still holding Austrian citizenship. He served as a soldier and was recognized for his bravery, earning the Iron Cross for his service. The experiences and ideologies he encountered during and after the war would significantly reshape his political views and ambitions.

Rise to Power

Following the war, Hitler became increasingly involved in politics, joining the German Workers' Party, which later transformed into the Nazi Party. Leveraging his skills as a charismatic speaker and propagandist, he rose through the ranks, eventually becoming Chancellor of Germany in 1933. His regime was marked by totalitarianism, aggressive expansionism, and extreme nationalism.

Legacy

Hitler's totalitarian regime embarked on extensive military campaigns across Europe, leading to devastating consequences during World War II. The war resulted in the deaths of millions and changed the geopolitical landscape forever. His policies of racial purity and anti-Semitism culminated in the Holocaust, one of history's gravest atrocities. Hitler's reign ended with his suicide in April 1945, as Allied forces closed in on Berlin, leaving a contentious legacy that continues to spark debate and study in the realms of history and politics.