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Introduction
Adolf Hitler was once a citizen of Austria, who worked his way up to complete power of Germany. This timeline serves as a helpful guide to Hitler's life for those to better understand his impact on Germany and the World. After the world experienced so much hatred, it has become easier to recognize similar rising threats. -
Birth
Adolf Hitler was born on April 20, 1889 in a small village in Austria, just across the border from Bavaria and was baptized into the Roman Catholic faith. Picture Details: Hitler at about one year old -
Education
Hitler started first grade at a public school in the village of Fischlham near Linz, Austria. Picture Details: Hitler during his early childhood -
High School
Hitler dropped out of High School because he started to struggle. He also wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and become a civil servant. Picture Details: Hitler at his High School -
Life Changes
Hitler's mother, Klara, died. He decided to move to Vienna, Austria where he made a living by painting scenery and monuments to sell. Hitler's isolation in Vienna caused a spark in his interest in politics, leading to a development of ideas similar to the Nazi ideology. Picture Details: Hitler's Mother, Klara Hitler -
Move to Munich
Hitler moved to Munich, Germany. Picture Details: Hitler's apartment in Munich, Germany -
Hitler as a Soldier
Hitler deployed to Belgium and served throughout the remainder of the Great War. Picture Details: Hitler as a Soldier in World War I -
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World War I
A Serbian nationalist shot the Archduke of Austria. After the Austro-Hungarian Empire sent an ultimatum to Serbia that would allow Austria-Hungary to investigate on Serbian soil. When the Serbians denied it and the Austrians declared war, the European alliances joined the conflict. The war was between the Entente and the Central Powers. World War I ended in 1918 with the collapse of the German Empire. -
First Injury
During the Battle of the Somme, Hitler was hit in the leg. Picture Details: Battle of Somme in Somme, France -
First Awards, Second Injury, and Wanting to Start Something New
Hitler won two decorations for bravery, including the Iron Cross First class that he wore until the end of his life. Hitler was temporarily blinded by a British gas attack near Ypres, Belgium. Hitler returned to Munich and became a member of the small German Workers' Party, wanting to unite the interests of the working class and a strong Germany nationalism. Picture Details: Hitler in uniform wearing his Iron Cross Award on his left shirt pocket. -
Leaving the Army
Hitler left the army to take charge of the German Workers' Party propaganda efforts. This party soon became the official Nazi Party with the swastika that took over in symbolic power for many years. Picture Details: German Workers Party -
Leadership in the Nazi Party
Hitler challenges Anton Drexler to become leader of the Nazi party. After initial resistance, Drexler agrees and Hitler becomes the new leader of the party. Picture Details: Hitler, Drexler, and three other men discussing matters about World War II -
Treaty of Versailles
Punishing the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler capitalized on the widespread discontent with the Weimar Republic. Many of Hitler's former friends from the army joined the Nazi party, including Ernst Roehm. Ernst Roehm recruited the "strong arm" of the Nazi party, which was used to protect meetings and attack opponents. Picture Details: Boundaries of the Weimar Republic -
National Revolution
Hitler proclaimed the beginning of a national revolution and led followers through the city of Munich. They later found themselves in a gun battle with the police, causing Hitler and other rebels to be arrested. This event made Hitler a national figure and hero. Picture Details: Encounters with the Police -
Jail Time
While Hitler was sentenced to five years in prison, he served his time in the comfort of the Landsberg Castle in Germany. Picture Details: Hitler in his jail cell -
Schutzstaffel
Schutzstaffel (SS) was established by Hitler to create a reliable alternative to the "strong arm." Members of the SS wore black uniforms and took oaths, swearing loyalty to Hitler. Picture Details: Members of the SS -
First Book - Mein Kampf
Hitler wrote "Mein Kampf" in prison about anti-Semitic views and his plans for Germany, was published. It addressed the need for Lebensraum (living space) and suggested the Germany should take over the lands east of Germany including Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Russia. Lastly, "Mein Kampf" stated that the "superior" race was the "Aryan" (German) race, with the "inferior" race being the Slavs, who were reduced to forced labor. Picture Details: Cover of Hitler's first book, Mein Kampf -
The Hitler Youth
In hopes of reorganizing and reshaping the Nazi Party, Hitler established the Hitler Youth to organize young adults and teenagers. Picture Details: Hitler and a member of the "Hitler Youth" -
Second Book - Die Zweites Buch (The Second Book)
Hitler wrote his second book, "Die Zweites Buch," which was about his foreign policy ideas. This book was never published during Hitlers lifetime. Picture Details: Cover of Hitler's second book, Die Zweites Buch -
Domination of Schutzstaffel and the Beginning of the Great Depression
The SS developed into a large group of people that would eventually dominate Germany and terrorize the rest of occupied Europe during WWII. The Great Depression began, starting to threaten the stability of the Weimar Republic. Thus, Hitler built up Nazi support including an army, business leaders, and industrial leaders. Picture Details: Hitler leading a group of Nazis -
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Great Depression
The Great Depression began with the stock market crash in the United States. America spend the depression worldwide after imposing large amounts of tariffs and embargoes. The Depression saw skyrocketing unemployment rates. With restricted trade, the Depression was worse in some areas than it was in others. In America, great engineering projects helped reduce unemployment and eventually recovered due to their booming war time economy. -
Jealousy
After Hitler became infatuated with his niece, Geli Raubal commit suicide because of Hitler's jealousy. Picture Details: Hitler's niece, Geli Raubal -
Presidential Campaign
Hitler officially becomes a German citizen, enabling him to stand in the presidential election against Paul von Hindenburg. Hitler did end up running for president against Hindenburg, and only received 36.8% of the votes. Picture Details: Presidential Campaign poster for Hitler: "Worker, the forehead the fist, vote the front-line soldier Hitler!" -
Hitler becomes Chancellor and the Third Reich was Born
In early January 1933, Paul von Hindenburg could not handle and maintain control of the government, so he appointed Hitler as chancellor. The Third Reich was born. The Nazis called it the "Thousand-Year Reich." Picture Details: Naval flag of the Third Reich -
Step up on Violence
The Reichstag, Germany's parliament building, was set on fire, giving Hitler an excuse to step up violence against his opponents. Picture Details: Reichstag building on fire -
Birth of Concentration Camps (Picture Details: Entrance to Dachau, the first Nazi Concentration Camp)
The SS opened many concentration camps to hold Jews and other Nazi regime. After war broke out, the Nazis focus shifted to executing the entire Jewish community during Soviet invasion. Death camps, such as Auschwitz, were introduced to existing concentration camps. Although the Nazis focused on the Jewish population, they also targeted Catholics, homosexuals, political dissidents, gypsies, and the disabled. 6 million people were killed in concentration and death camps by the end of the war. -
Enabling Act
The Enabling Act was passed by the Reichstag, allowing Hitler to have full power. Picture Details: Gathering in which the Enabling Act was approved -
Nazi Party
A law was passed that stated that the Nazi Party was the only political party in Germany. All the other non-Nazi parties, trade unions, and other organizations were all disbanded within the next few months. Picture Details: NSDAP logo -
League of Nations
Hitler withdrew from the League of Nations. In the following months, he trembled about the size of the German Army and ignored the restrictions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles. Picture Details: News headline confirming Germany dropped out of the League of Nations -
Night of the Long Knives
On the Night of the Long Knives, Hitler had the former Chancellor and hundreds of other problematic people murdered because they were troublesome members of the SA. Picture Details: Moving of the victims -
Death of Hindenburg
Hindenburg dies, making Hitler commander of all armed forces and of the Reich. Picture Details: Paul von Hindenburg -
Nuremberg Laws
The Nuremberg Laws were passed, depriving all Jews of German citizenship and prohibited marrying/having relations with persons of "German or related blood." Picture Details: Chart stating who is allowed to marry who -
German Troops
Hitler ordered German troops to reoccupy the demilitarized left bank of the Rhine. Picture Details: Lines of German Troops -
Crystal Night
7,500 Jewish shops are destroyed and 400 synagogues are burnt. The attack is portrayed as a spontaneous reaction to the death of a German diplomat by a Jewish refugee in Paris. It is actually orchestrated by the Nazi party who also kill many Jews and send 20,000 to concentration camps. The Crystal Night is to be considered the beginning of the Final Solution, a mass killing during the Holocaust. Picture Details: One Jewish Ship that was destroyed -
Pact of Steel
The "Pact of Steel" creating an alliance with Italy was confirmed. Directly after, Hitler signed a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union. Picture Details: Hitler and Benito Mussolini, the leader of Italy at the time -
Invasion of Poland
Nazi troops invaded Poland, prompting Britain and France to declare war on Germany. Picture Details: Map of the Poland Invasion -
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World War II
Beginning with the German Invasion of Poland in 1939, World War II was fought between the Allied Powers and the Axis Powers. The main Allies were the UK, France, China, the Soviet Union, and America; the main Axis powers were Nazi Germany, Italy, and Imperial Japan. The European Theater ended in May 1945 when Germany surrendered. The Pacific Theater ended in August 1945 when Japan surrendered after two atomic bombs and a threatened third strike on Tokyo. -
Mein Kampf
6 million copies of "Mein Kampf" have been sold. Picture Details: Cover of Hitler's first book, Mein Kampf -
Occupation of Norway and Denmark
Hitler ordered the occupation of Norway and Denmark. Soon after, he adopted a plan to attack France through the Ardennes Forest. Picture Details: Map of the Denmark and Norway Invasion -
Blitzkrieg
The Blitzkrieg took place. Holland and Belgium quickly surrendered. Picture Details: Aftermath of the Blitzkrieg -
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The Holocaust
Beginning in 1933 when Dachau Concentration Camp was opened, the Holocaust was the Nazi's attempt to rid their territory of political prisoners, racial, and ethics groups they deemed inferior. These included Communists, Jews, Slavs, Gays, Romani, disabled persons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and prisoners of war. While the original plan was deportation, the war began to worsen for Germany. Extermination was used and the Nazis killed 11 million people including 6 million Jews. -
Failed Peace
Hitler hoped to seek peace from Britain, but after that failed, he attacked them and the Soviet Union. Picture Details: Failed peace treaty meeting with Britain -
Pearl Harbor Attack
Because of the Pearl Harbor attack and Germany's alliance with Japan, Hitler was forced to declare war on the United States. This was the turning point in the war, as Hitler shifted his central strategy to focus on breaking the alliance of Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union, and forcing them to make peace with Germany. Picture Details: Pearl Harbor boats/ships -
Attempts to Kill Hitler
Several attempts were made to kill Hitler, but none were successful. One attempt came close when Claus von Stauffenberg planted a bomb that exploded during a conference at Hitler's headquarters in East Prussia. Picture Details: Destruction from the bomb attempting to kill Hitler -
Last Resort
Hitler made plans for a last-ditch resistance after he held up in a bunker beneath the Chancellery in Berlin. Picture Details: Inside Hitler's Bunker -
Death
Hitler shot himself in his bunker located in Berlin, Germany, after dictating his political testament. Picture Details: News headline confirming Hitler's death -
Works Cited
Please use the link below to view URLs for information and pictures used in this timeline: https://tinyurl.com/hitlertimelineurls
