Adolf Hitler

Key Facts

• Full Name: Adolf Hitler
• Born: 20 April 1889, Braunau am Inn, Austria-Hungary
• Died: 30 April 1945, Berlin, Nazi Germany
• Cause of Death: Suicide by gunshot
• Nationality: Austria (until 1925), Stateless (1925-1932), Germany (from 1932)
• Political Party: Nazi Party (from 1920)
• Other Affiliations: German Workers' Party (1919-1920)
• Spouse: Eva Braun

Political Career

Early Political Activity

• Joined the German Workers' Party (DAP) in 1919, which became the Nazi Party
• Became Führer of the Nazi Party in 1921
• Attempted a coup in 1923 (Beer Hall Putsch) and was imprisoned
• Authored "Mein Kampf" during imprisonment

Rise to Power

• Appointed Chancellor of Germany in 1933
• Nazi Party became the largest political party in Germany by 1932
• After President Hindenburg's death in 1934, Hitler combined the presidency with the chancellorship
• Established a totalitarian state and began implementing his expansionist and racist policies

World War II

• Invasion of Poland (1939): Triggered the outbreak of World War II
• Major Campaigns: Invasion of France, Battle of Britain, Eastern Front invasion of the Soviet Union
• Key Alliances: Axis Powers including Italy and Japan
• Holocaust: Systematic genocide of approximately six million Jews and millions of other minority groups

Leadership Style

• Utilized "Führerprinzip" for absolute control over the Nazi Party and Germany
• Known for giving contradictory orders and fostering competition among subordinates
• Centralized personal control over military strategy during WWII

Personal Life

Family

• Known for maintaining a public image of celibacy dedicated to political life
• Relationship with Eva Braun, whom he married shortly before their joint suicide

Health

• Suffered from various illnesses, including Parkinson's disease
• Followed a vegetarian diet later in life
• Heavy use of medications including amphetamines

Religion

• Born and raised Catholic but distanced himself from Christianity
• Saw Christianity as incompatible with Nazi ideology

Death

• Committed suicide in the Führerbunker in Berlin as the Allies closed in
• His death marked the collapse of Nazi Germany

Legacy

• Widely regarded as the embodiment of political evil
• Responsible for unprecedented devastation and human suffering
• His actions led to World War II and the Holocaust, reshaping global history
• Numerous books, films, and studies continue to analyze his influence and the events of his regime

Impact and Aftermath

• Europe was left devastated post-war
• The Holocaust led to deep global reflections on human rights and genocide