Adolf Hitler Biography

It was supposedly at this time that Hitler first became interested in politics and how the masses could be made to respond to certain themes. He was particularly impressed with the anti-Semitic, nationalist Christian-Socialist party.

During the First World War he volunteered to fight for the German Army and gained the rank of corporal. He won several awards for bravery, including the Iron Cross First Class.

After the war ended, Hitler's future seemed uncertain. In 1919, Hitler attended his first meeting of the German Workers’ party, an anti-Semitic, nationalist group. He quickly rose through the ranks and, by 1921, was the leader of the re-named National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazi).

With terrible economic conditions and rapid inflation, support for Hitler’s party grew. By 1923, the Nazi’s had 56,000 members and many more supporters.

On November 8th and 9th, 1923, Hitler staged the Nazi Beer Hall Putsch. He hoped to force the Bavarian Government to work with the Nazis and to march together on Berlin. The attempt failed but, although Hitler was tried for treason, the judge gave him a very light sentence.

While in prison, Hitler wrote 'Mein Kampf', which formulated his political ideas. He reorganised his party on his release from jail, but it was not until the world depression hit Germany that the Nazis were able to attract significant followers.

By 1930, the Nazis were polling around 6.5 million votes. In the presidential elections of 1932, Hitler came second. On January 30th, 1933, President Hindenburg was forced to appoint Hitler as Chancellor, given his popular support.

In office, he set about consolidating his power, appointing Nazis to government and gaining control of emergency powers. He eliminated all opposition, in the name of emergency control and, with the death of Hindenburg in 1934, Hitler’s power was secured.

Hitler put Germany’s unemployed to work on a massive rearmament programme, using propaganda and manufacturing enemies, such as the Jews, to prepare the country for war. Initially, Hitler’s actions were ignored by his powerful neighbours, as they believed appeasement was the only way to avoid a war.

In 1936 Hitler invaded the Rhineland, which had been demilitarised at Versailles. He then proceeded to annex Austria and parts of Czechoslovakia. Under the Munich Agreement of 1938, the West accepted this.

In 1939 Hitler made an alliance with Russia (Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact) and with Italy (Pact of Steel). On 1st September, 1939, Hitler invaded Poland and the Second World War began as a result. In April 1940, Denmark and Norway were also taken. France quickly followed.

Hitler had conquered much of Western Europe, now he turned his sights East. In 1941, despite the alliance, Germany invaded Russia under Operation Barbarossa. It was one of his greatest mistakes. With the German advance slowed by the Russians ‘scorched earth’ policy, the German army found themselves in the Russian winter without an adequate supply line. In 1943, they started their long retreat.

At the same time, the Western Allies were pushing hard, and began to advance on Germany. In response, Hitler withdrew almost entirely. It was reported he was increasingly erratic and out-of-touch.

In 1944, there was an unsuccessful assassination attempt and, in response, Hitler stepped up the atmosphere of suspicion and terror.

Hitler committed suicide on the 30th April, 1945, with his long term girlfriend Eva Braun, who are thought to have perhaps married at the last minute. Germany's surrender followed soon after.