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Birth of Adolf Hitler
On this date Alois Hitler Sr. and Klara Hitler had a baby boy in an inn in Austria Hungary. Adolf was a bright, studious boy. He loved to sing and joined the choir at his church. However, Adolf's father was very strict and they often argued. Adolf resented him for this ("Adolf Hitler"). -
Death of Adolf's Brother
Adolf was very close to his younger brother, Edmund. Edmund contracted measles and died. This changed Adolf. His entire personality changed. He became sullen and hostile. He started to fight with his father more, and even fought with teachers. The impact of this made Hitler become darker. The loss of his brother crushed him and left him a broken man ("Adolf Hitler"). -
Hitler's Art
Hitler did not excel at academics so he pursued a career in art. He became an artist and sold watercolor paintings. He applied for the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna but was rejected, twice. They said he was unfit for painting. This impacted Hitler because if he had gotten into art school he may have never become the military man he did. His dreams were crushed and he had to find something else to do with his life so he joins the military. ("Adolf Hitler"). -
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Hitler's "five years of misery and woe"
This was known as Hitler's darkest years. Nothing in his life worked for him as he spiraled down into depression. Many believe these years are what changed his perspective on life. It shaped his hatred for Jews and other ethnic groups. When Hitler gained more power, he would reflect on this time (Wistrich). -
Death of Adolf's Mother
On top of his failing art career Hitler's mother, Klara, died at the age of 47. He was devastated. He started running out of money and eventually had to live in a homeless shelter. This impacted Hitler by crushing his already saddening life. Hitler realized his life wasn't going anywhere and he began to hate those around him. This sparked Hitler's racism ("Adolf Hitler"). -
Hitler Joins the Army Part 2
His time in the military made him more dedicated to his country. It started his nationalist views that inspired the German people to love their country. His nationalism helped him become the leader of Germany ("Adolf Hitler"). -
Hitler Joins the Army
Hitler decided to fight for his country. He became a soldier in the military. He was known for his bravery and received many medals because of it. While in the army he continued his artwork. He would draw cartoons for the army's newspaper. He was wounded twice. The first time he was shot in the leg, which hospitalized him for two months. The second time he was blinded by mustard gas ("Adolf Hitler"). -
Rise into Politics
After Germany's defeat in WWI, Hitler felt that fate had chosen him to rescue his nation from the humiliating Treaty of Versailles. He joined the NSDAP, the National Socialist German Workers' Party. In English this was referred to as the Nazi Party. Hitler introduced the Swastika to the party. He also created the party's greeting "Heil!" (Wistrich). -
Rise into Politics Part 2
After becoming leader of the Nazi party, Hitler gave speeches calling for people to focus on Germany's number one threat, Jews. He told his party members that Jews were the source of all of Germany's domestic problems. This was the first true power Hitler has held. He immediately grasp it with an iron fist and berated Jews in speeches. Hitler started to become known in the political world (Wistrich). -
Beer Hall Putsch
Hitler wanted to overthrow the government. He felt he could do a better job than they could. He stormed into a public meeting at Beer Hall, in Munich, and announced that a revolution had begun. He said he was going to form his own government. While revolting with 3,000 men, the police opened fire on him. They killed sixteen people. Although it was a failed attempt,this was Hitler's first use of power (Wistrich). -
Beer Hall Putsch Part 2
Even though the revolution did not work,many Germans realized Hitler was a force that needed to be dealt with (Wistrich). -
Mein Kampf
Due to Hitler's failed revolution, he was tried for treason. He was sentenced to five years in jail. During his jail time, his comrades would visit him. Mein Kampf was written while he was in jail. It outlined his future plans for Germany. He was pardoned from prison after serving just over a year. This showed how much power Hitler already had. Even in prison people treated him with respect. His followers grew and more people learned of Hitler's political power ("Adolf Hitler"). -
Hitler the Fuhrer
Hitler continued to lead the growing Nazi Party and gained support of the people. The death of President Hindenburg meant Hitler became the head of state as well as the head of government. He was formally named Fuhrer und Reichskanzler, Leader and Chancellor. Being head of state meant that Hitler had control of the military. Hitler was now in total control. Hitler had absolute control over all of Germany and had the power to make the German army do whatever he wishesd ("Adolf Hitler"). -
The Final Solution
Hitler always believed that the Jews were Germany's number one problem. He implemented the Final Solution to fix this problem. It called for the extermination of all Jews and other undesirables. This was the cause for the Holocaust. The Holocaust killed six million Jews. Many were put in concentration camps and tortured before their death. Hitler used the power he had over others to take advantage of the Jews ("Adolf Hitler"). -
The Final Solution Part 2
If anything went wrong he would blame it on the Jews and order his people to kill more of them. He gained more power by stripping the Jews of their rights. They were treated as if they were animals while Hitler's followers treated him like a god ("Adolf Hitler"). -
Germany Invades Poland
Hitler's first demonstration of absolute power was extending Germany's borders. Poland was his first target. Using blitzkrieg tactics, air bombing of an area followed by infantry troops, Hitler was able to take over Poland. Hitler's power over people grew with the more land he took over. Other countries started to fear Hitler because of the control he had over his people and because of his expanding army. His power had now spread internationally (Wistrich). -
Germany Invades the Soviet Union
Hitler decided to violate the non-aggression pact he signed with Stalin and invaded the Soviet Union. Hitler overestimated the power of his own army. The Soviet Union army had the home front advantage and was prepared for the harsh winter. Hitler's army was being defeated. Hitler had let all of his power consume him. He controlled so many territories and people he thought he could do anything. The power corrupted him and caused him to make poor decisions ("Adolf HItler"). -
Death of Hitler
The Germans were already losing the war and Hitler knew it was only a matter of time before he was captured. He would not allow himself to be captured. Suicide was his only answer so he and his wife shot themselves. Their bodies were then burned by soldiers. Hitler's power continued to diminish in the years leading up to his death. With every German defeat he lost supporters. Once he realized defeat was imminent, he knew what he had to do ("Adolf Hitler"). -
Death of Hitler Part 2
As a final demonstration of his power he took his own life. No one else would be allowed to control him and make him answer for his crimes. Only he had the power to determine his punishment ("Adolf Hitler").
