How Adolf Hitler became Dictator By alan hong 1889 Hitler was born in Austria 1907 Hitler goes to Vienna to become an artist 1914 World War I Begins 1914 Hitler joins the German Army 1918 World War I ends. Germany is defeated 1920 Hitler joins the small German Worker's Party (NAZI) 1921 Hitler becomes leader of the Nazi party. 1923 Hitler was thrown in jail for treason 1923 Hitler writes "Mein Kampf" 1929 The Depression begins 1932 The Nazis had enough power to challenge for the Presidency 1933 Hitler becomes Chancellor 1933 Hitler passes the "Enabling Act".