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Birth
Adolf Hitler was born in 1889, in what today is Austria, bordering the German empire. He was the fourth of six children to Alois Hitler and his third wife, Klara. Growing up he didn't speak the usual Austrian German that was common in his region, but rather, the Bavarian dialect of German, because he moved to Passau, Germany. Evans, Richard J. (2003). The Coming of the Third Reich. -
Childhood
From an early age Hitler developed a strong will, just like his father, who was bull-headed to a fault. When Adolf was six, Alois retired to a town near Lambach, and sent Adolf to Volksschule, a primary school. This began an intense and volatile relationship between father and son, who wished to become an artist, but was regularly beaten by his father, who wanted Adolf to become a customs officer. Kubizek, August (2006) [1953]. The Young Hitler I Knew. -
Developing Nationalistic Ideals
Adolf became an introverted and conflicted boy after the death of his younger brother. He was sent to secondary school in September and did poorly in class deliberately to force Alois to pull him out, to no avail. During this time Adolf developed intense hatred for the Habsburg empire, and was nationalistic to Germany. He only sang the German anthem, and used the infamous Heil salute. Evans, Richard J. (2003). The Coming of the Third Reich -
Hitler in Vienna
Hitler arrived in Austria when he was just 18, and quickly ran out of money, living in shelters, and was rejected from multiple art schools. It was here, however, where accounts begin describing his developing anti-Semitic views. He began reading papers such as Deutsches Volksblatt, which promoted views that Eastern-European Jews were the enemies of the Christians. Hamann, Brigitte (2010) [1999]. Hitler's Vienna: A Portrait of the Tyrant as a Young Man. -
The Failed Coup: Mein Kampf
Hitler enlisted in the army during World War I, and gained notice for his patriotism and anti-Semitic views. He joined an anti-Marxist organisation hell-bent on dismantling the Weimar Republic. Here he met many of his future political allies, like Ernst Röhm. On Nov. 8, 1923 he instigated a coup at the Beer Hall, in Munich, inspired by Mussolini's facist views. It failed, and he was jailed for one year, accused of high treason. Kershaw, Ian (2008). Hitler: A Biography. -
Rise to Power: I
During his prison time Hitler wrote Mein Kampf, an anti-Semitic political manifesto. He was nearly deported to Austria, but having served in the German army, he was immune. He was released early, in December 1924, and his plot to establish an iron dominion over Germany began. Aided by the Great Depression, which left millions out of work, and vulnerable to the Nazi party's promises, the Nazis and the Communists, took 40% of the 1929 Reichstag vote. Kershaw, Ian (2008). Hitler: A Biography. -
Rise to Power: II
By January 1933, Hitler found himself at the head of the dominant Nazi party, and was elected Chancellor of Germany, who was only second to President. But Hitler soon eliminated all of his political rivals, and even some of his allies, during the Night of the Long Knives. The Nazi's also prohibited anti-government speeches and began operating concentration camps for Jews, carrying out their vision of an Aryan world. Rise of the Nazis. 2019. BBC -
Kristallnacht
In six months Hitler's rivals were either dead or imprisoned. Free speech by the press and the public was banned. On November 7, 1938 a Jew killed a German diplomat in Paris, leading the infamous SS to intimate a series of violent acts on Jews living in Germany. Over 100 were murdered and shops, synagogues and houses were trashed, leaving the Jews to foot the bill. Many nations protested but Hitler accuse them of harbouring conspiracy. World War II: The Definitive Visual Guide. DK -
World War II
Less than nine months after Hitler commands the invasion of Poland, he has his army march to a crushing victory against France. He has the defeat terms signed on the very same train carriage as the Armistice, and has the carriage destroyed out of spite, to eliminate evidence of German suffering. In 1941 he directs his troops to Russia, calling for a "war of annihilation". World War II: The Definitive Visual Guide. DK -
The Beginning of the End
In December, 1941, just a week after declaring war on the USA, Hitler assumes control of the army, having lost faith in all of his underlings. However this only ensures Germany's fall, as under Hitler's command, in 1943, the German army is ordered to stay in Stalingrad, Russia, and ends with the entire army being obliterated. M. S. King - The Hitler Photo Album -
Bunker Life and Suicide
In 1944 Hitler survives an assassination attempt, well, multiple. Plans include numerous bomb and poison plans. As his army got crushed and his aides captured, he retreated to a bunker in Berlin, as the Russian and Allied armies circled in. Before committing honourable suicide, he married his long-term girlfriend, Eva Braun, and basked in the unions of matrimony for all but forty hours. On May 30, 1945 he pulled a gun against his head and ended his life. M. S. King - The Hitler Photo Album
