Adolf Hitler: A Complete Biography, From Birth to Death
Introduction
One of the most notorious people in history, Adolf Hitler was in charge of some of the most sinister incidents of the 20th century. His transformation from a struggling artist to Nazi Germany's dictator altered the course of history. Hitler's biography is thoroughly examined in this blog, including his early years, ascent to power, involvement in World War II, and eventual fall from grace.
Childhood and Early Life (1889–1907)
Alois and Klara Hitler welcomed Adolf Hitler into the world on April 20, 1889, in Braunau am Inn, Austria. While his mother was caring and protective, his father was a severe government official with great expectations for young Adolf. Hitler was a bright but disobedient youngster who frequently argued with his father, who preferred that he seek a career in the civil service. Hitler, however, aspired to be a painter and had a strong love for both art and architecture. He relocated to Vienna in 1907 in order to apply to the esteemed Academy of Fine Arts, but he was turned down twice.
Vienna Struggles (1907–1913)
When Hitler's mother passed away in 1907, he was saddened and had financial difficulties. He lived in poverty in Vienna for the next few years, taking odd jobs and making do with an orphan's pension. He formed strong political opinions during this time, shaped by anti-Semitism and German nationalism. He started blaming Jews for Germany's issues because he found the nationalist, anti-Jewish discourse in Vienna admirable.
Military Service and World War I (1914–1918)
Hitler relocated to Munich, Germany, in 1913, and jumped at the chance to join the German Army in 1914 as World War I broke out. During his time as a courier on the Western Front, he shown courage but was never promoted to corporal. He received the Iron Cross for valor after suffering two wounds.
Hitler, meanwhile, was extremely resentful of the war's 1918 conclusion. He felt that Jews and politicians were to blame for Germany's defeat and saw its capitulation as a betrayal. His radical nationalist mindset was later strengthened by this notion.
The Birth of Nazi Ideology (1919–1923)
Hitler continued to serve in the army after the war and was tasked with spying on political organizations. He became a member of the German Workers' Party (DAP), a tiny anti-Semitic and nationalist organization, in 1919. He became a leader quite rapidly thanks to his persuasive speeches and propaganda abilities. He changed the name of the DAP to the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi Party) by 1920 and made the swastika the party's emblem. He tried to topple the government in Munich in 1923 with the disastrous Beer Hall Putsch. After being captured, he received a five-year prison sentence, but he only spent nine months there. His philosophy, which included anti-Semitism, German nationalism, and his plan for Germany's growth, was outlined in Mein Kampf ("My Struggle"), which he penned while incarcerated.
Gaining Influence (1924–1933)
Hitler concentrated on reviving the Nazi Party after being freed. When Germany's economy collapsed in 1929 due to the Great Depression, many resorted to radical political movements. Hitler pledged to end economic hardships and restore Germany's dominance. The Nazi Party grew to be the biggest group in the Reichstag (German Parliament) by 1932. Hitler was named Chancellor of Germany in January 1933. After swiftly consolidating his position, he passed the Enabling Act, granting him absolute authority.
Nazi Germany and dictatorship (1933–1939)
Hitler established a totalitarian regime in Germany after he came to power. He created a police state headed by the Gestapo (secret police), suppressed political rivals, and dominated the media.
Important occurrences during this time:
1935: Jews lost their privileges as a result of the Nuremberg Laws.
Hitler remilitarized the Rhineland in 1936, in violation of the Treaty of Versailles.
1938: Germany occupied Czechoslovakia after annexing Austria (Anschluss).
Many governments attempted to placate Hitler in an effort to prevent another war, despite the fact that his aggressive actions worried Europe.
The Holocaust and World War II (1939–1945)
World War II began when Hitler invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, leading to war declarations from Britain and France. His military tactics, such the Blitzkrieg (lightning war), helped Germany swiftly take over a large portion of Europe.
Important WWII Events:
1940: The Netherlands, Belgium, and France were under German occupation. Hitler's Operation Barbarossa invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941 sparked a bloody Eastern Front. 1941: Following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the US entered the war. Hitler's methodical genocide, known as the Holocaust, took place between 1942 and 1945. Millions of people were killed in detention camps, including six million Jews. Germany started to lose the war in 1943. After the Soviet Union's historic victory at Stalingrad, Hitler's army was forced to retreat when Allied forces landed in D-Day in 1944.
Hitler's Death and Decline (1945)
Nazi Germany was disintegrating by the beginning of 1945. Hitler withdrew to his subterranean bunker as Soviet forces surrounded Berlin. He married his lifelong friend Eva Braun on April 30, 1945, and the two of them killed themselves the following day: Hitler shot himself, and Braun ingested poison. Hitler ordered their remains to be burned. With Germany's surrender a few days later on May 8, 1945, World War II officially came to an end in Europe.
Impact and Legacy
More than 50 million people, including Holocaust and World War II victims, perished under Adolf Hitler's leadership. His radical philosophy permanently altered the course of history. The lessons learned from Hitler's rule are being used today to caution against propaganda, fascism, and the perils of unbridled power.
In conclusion
The life of Adolf Hitler was characterized by destruction, hatred, and ambition. His journey from an unsuccessful artist to the head of Nazi Germany is a terrifying illustration of how one man's beliefs may bring about a world-wide calamity. His ascent and decline influenced contemporary history, and learning about his life helps us make sure that tragedies like this never happen again.
Some references
Biographies and Books:
1. Ian Kershaw. A biography of Adolf Hitler. W. W. Norton & Company, 2008 Among the most thorough and reliable biographies of Hitler.
2. Hitler, Fest, Joachim. (Harcourt, 1973) a thorough examination of Hitler's leadership and life.
3.(Harper & Row, 1952) Bullock, Alan. Hitler: A Study in Tyranny One of Hitler's first academic biographies.
Historical and Academic Sources:
5. William L. Shirer. The ascent and decline of the Third Reich. Simon & Schuster, 1960. An narrative of Nazi Germany from the first hand.
6. The Coming of the Third Reich by Richard J. Evans (Penguin, 2003) a detailed analysis of Hitler's ascent to power.
Articles & Internet Resources:
7. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM)