Biography of Adolf Hitler
Biography of Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler, aka 'Der Führer' ('The Leader'). Was born in Germany. He was directly responsible for the deaths of 66 million world wide, during the second World War.
Following the First World War, the Treaty of Versailles penalizes the defeated Germany, annexing land, imposing large war reparations, limiting the size of the army and blaming Germany and Austria-Hungary for starting the conflict. The new German government, a coalition of left-leaning and centrist parties, attempts to rebuild the country but faces opposition from the right and extreme left. The instability is exacerbated by the failure of the domestic and global economies.
Born on 20 April 1889 in Braunau am Inn, Austria, into a middle class family. His father is a customs official.. After finishing secondary school he lives in Vienna and attempts to study art but is twice rejected by the Academy of Fine Arts. 3 - He moves to Munich. When the First World War breaks out the following year be volunteers for service with the German army, joining the 16th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment. He serves with distinction throughout the war and is awarded the Iron Cross, Second Class, in December 1914, and the Iron Cross, First Class, in August 1918. Following the war, Hitler returns to Munich and begins to become involved in politics. He joins the German Workers' Party in September. A gifted and inspiring public speaker, he is soon placed in charge of the party's propaganda. In 1920 the party is renamed the National Socialist (Nazi) Party. The party's platform calls for the removal of civil rights for Jews and for their expulsion from Germany. As the German economy begins to buckle under the weight of the enormous war reparations demanded by the Allies, popular support for the Nazis begins to increase. Inflation and unemployment climb. The German government loses its majority in the elections of 1920, introducing a decade long period of political instability.
The Nazi Party's "storm troopers", used to protect party meeting and attack opponents, are formally organized into a private army, the Sturmabteilung (SA), the 'Brown shirts'. Hitler becomes leader of the Nazi Party in July. Inflation skyrockets and is fuelled when the government begins printing more and more money. The value of the Deutschmark plummets. In mid-1920 US$1 is worth 40 marks. By November 1923 US$1 is worth 4.2 trillion marks. Social unrest begins to escalate....