Adolf Hitler: The man behind the atrocities
This above Video is a Documentary of Adolf Hitler
| Date of Birth : 20th April 1889 |
| Died : 30th April 1945 |
| Place of Birth : Braunau am Inn, Austria |
| Father : Alois Hitler |
| Mother : Klara Hitler |
| Spouse/Partners : Eva Braun |
| Professions : Politician and Dictator |
Overview
Alois and Klara a couple living in Austria were expecting a baby. Adolf Hitler was born in a small town in Austria on April 20, 1889. Some say, this was the darkest day in history as that day spawned an evil into the lives of millions. Hitler’s father was a Civil Servant and young Adolf never wanted to follow in his footsteps, he even disliked his father, and thus abandoned his birth surname and adopted is mother’s surname for himself in later years.
What he wanted was to be an artist and excel in the field of fine arts, something his father was against. He tried his best, and even applied to many fine arts institutes but he could not get admission. Finally, it all ended when he got rejected by Vienna’s Academy of Fine Arts.
Unlike his father, His mother was supportive and Hitler loved his mother a lot. But like all good things that come to an end, Hitler and his mother’s journey had to end too. In 1908, Klara died and Hitler was devastated. He isolated himself from the world and survived by selling paintings and art pieces. At this time, he started taking an interest in politics and came up with the ideology that shaped the NAZI practices in later years.
It was 1913, when Hitler moved to Munich. There he tried to enroll himself in the Military, but he was rejected, because he was declared physically unfit, as he was short and would have been a liability to other troops. Later, when the First World War broke out and he pleaded with Bavarian King, Louis III to let him join the battle because he wanted to serve the country. Soon, He was allowed to participate and was a German Troop. But to test his will, he was deliberately sent to the toughest battlefield.
After 8 weeks of training, he was deployed to the Battle of Ypres. Although everyone thought that this little man would not be able to accomplish any wonders, Hitler had an advantage over everyone else. As he was smaller in size, he was much more agile than others, and it was also difficult to aim at a smaller target. His turned his weakness into his greatest strength.
But the havoc Hitler caused in that battle left everyone stunned in the whole German Military Command. Even the superiors were astonished at how this little man was capable of such great violence. In war, either you kill or get killed. But Hitler killed many. For his bravery, he was awarded with Iron Cross Second Class and Iron Cross First Class, rarest medals of the time.
In 1916 he got injured in the war, he suffered a bullet wound in his leg, and temporary blindness. His body was what you may call broken, but his spirit of serving his country only grew stronger. When, Hitler got the news that Germany had lost the war, this frustrated him and he felt humiliated. He was now thinking on the lines that Germany has much to fear with fake patriots than the strength of their enemies.
Just 2 years later, in 1918, Hitler joined a small German Workers Party. With his great oratory skills and charismatic personality with his urge to serve the nation and the confidence in his bones, he attracted the masses and influenced them to stand up for the Nation.
In 1920, he left the military services to focus on his party and started spreading his propaganda. This was very successful as he knew well how to manipulate the young minds and brainwash them into doing his bidding. Later he changed the name of his party to National Socialist German Workers Party or NAZI Party.
The Nazi party had Swastika as their Symbol. This symbol is sacred to other communities and religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The swastika is a symbol of purity, prosperity, growth, and good luck. But Hitler's Swastika only struck horror and fear in the hearts of common people and civilians.
By 1921, many unsatisfied and unhappy army men left the army and joined NAZI. They were the Strong Arm quads which were protection and a defensive shield to the party. They also got into gunfights and shootouts with German Police.
In 1923, Hitler entered the Beer Hall with guns blazing and declared a National Revolution. He even marched in central Munich just to show his power and what he was capable of. This invited people with dark hidden desires to join him and made innocent civilians fear him even more.
Even though he was a celebrated personality according to some individuals, there were many who opposed him as well. Hitler was also sent to 5 years of prison but he only served 9 months. It was at this time when he also wrote his First Book “Mein Kampf” Which translates to “My Struggles”. This book became the best-selling Book in Germany after the Bible in a matter of few months.
After Hitler was released from Prison, he laid low for some time and started reshaping and strengthening the Nazi Party. He recruited youngsters and created Schutzstaffel or SS which was a much more reliable alternative to Strong Arm. In 1929, the number of SS increased and reached above 200.
During this time, Hitler also got attracted to Eva Braun, a young beautiful shop assistant but Hitler was reluctant to marry her, as he thought that she would be a distraction and thus would damage his plan for Germany, and this marriage would be an obstacle in his career.
In 1932 Hitler was directly competing with Paul Von Hindenburg for the position of president. Although he achieved 36.8% of votes, he lost. Later in 1933, when the previous three chancellors failed to maintain control the law and order, Paul declared Hitler as the 4th chancellor. On January 30, 1933, Hitler gained complete control, and this was the start of the Third Reich, or Thousand Year Reich as per Nazis. Soon it was March and Hitler gained control all over Germany and this made him the most powerful person in Germany in no time.
But the dark times were just starting. June 29, 1934. Hitler again was thinking the same things that he used to think after he got the news of Germany’s fall in First World War. In his mind, he was scared of fake patriots and wanted to deal with them as soon as possible. He ordered a hit on those members he believed to be troublesome for him.
Soon, he got Rohm, Kurt Von Schleicher and hundreds of his party members killed who he thought would be a hindrance in his plans. After this act, the military leaders decided to combine the presidency and chancellorship in the same position. And thus, Hitler became the Dictator of Germany.
Soon after sitting on the most powerful position of Germany, he also started displaying his dislike towards the Jewish citizens. Jews were the biggest enemies in the eyes of Hitler. He thought of them to be impure and a disgrace to Germans. His hate for Jews took the best of him and he soon started discriminating, ending in taking away their rights and powers.
Hitler was now drunk in his power, and he liked the taste of it. He without consulting his generals ordered his soldiers to reoccupy the banks of Rhine in March 1936. He also allied with other countries like Japan, Italy, and Austria. But when America decided to go in war with Japan, Germany had to respect the alliance and stand with Japan in the war. Ultimately, These actions started the Second World War.
While the nations were busy fighting with one another, Hitler decided to take care of his vendettas. He executed over 6 million Jews and many other Prisoners of War in his concentration Camps. Over 6 million Jews and Millions of Prisoners were killed just so Hitler could spread his propaganda. But these killings were not enough for him. He also had over 3000 children, all twins to be experimented on and later killed in his concentration camps.
But now Germany was feeling the heat of the war as well and Hitler started having troubles he could never imagine. Multiple assassinations were attempted to put an end to his reign. Hitler could see that he was now being targeted and his end was near. On April 28 or 29, Hitler got married to Eva Braun in his bunker and spent some time with her.
But by now Hitler was well aware that he is surrounded and his end is near. With Russians moving in closer to him in Berlin and the obvious defeat of Germany was disturbing him. He knew what would happen to him if he would get caught by enemy forces.
On April 30, 1945, Hitler shot himself in the head and his wife Eva Braun consumed poison and committed suicide. As per Hitler's instructions, his and Eva’s body were cremated and this was the end of Adolf Hitler.
But can you imagine, what would have happened if he didn’t kill himself or if Germany won the war? What good could have happened if Hitler was not driven by hate, but by care and love for humans? What good he would have done with all that power and influence? Today when people shun his name or his acts, they might have respected him as a leader. Some still do, but not in the majority. He could have turned the tide of destruction into the rain of prosperity. Thus, at Academic Block, we always advise our viewers to do great deeds for themselves and others too. Please leave your views, in the comment section below so we can improve our articles. Thanks for reading.
This Article will answer your questions like:
Adolf Hitler was the Führer of Nazi Germany from 1934 to 1945. He led the country through World War II and instigated the Holocaust. His aggressive expansionist policies and radical ideology had profound impacts on global politics and history, leading to immense destruction and suffering during his regime.
Adolf Hitler was indeed his real name. Born Adolf Schicklgruber in 1889, he changed his surname to Hitler in 1896. The name "Hitler" is derived from the Austrian dialect form of "Hiedler," a variant of the German word "Hiedler," meaning "one who lives in a high place."
Hitler's primary goal was to establish a totalitarian regime based on his ideology of racial superiority, particularly anti-Semitism. He aimed to expand German territories, create an empire for the Aryan race, and eliminate perceived enemies through genocide and war, leading to massive human suffering.
Adolf Hitler held the position of Führer, which combined the roles of Chancellor and President of Nazi Germany. As the supreme leader, he wielded absolute power over the government, military, and the Nazi Party, guiding Germany’s policies and actions during his reign.
Adolf Hitler became the Führer of Germany on August 2, 1934, following the death of President Paul von Hindenburg. The position of Führer combined the roles of Chancellor and President, granting Hitler supreme authority over the state and Nazi Party.
Hitler was the primary instigator and leader of Nazi Germany during World War II. His policies of aggression and expansion led to the invasion of numerous countries, triggering the global conflict. His leadership drove the war’s course and atrocities, including the Holocaust.
Hitler's key policies included aggressive nationalism, anti-Semitism, and totalitarian control. He implemented the Nuremberg Laws to institutionalize racial discrimination, pursued territorial expansion through military conquest, and established a pervasive regime of repression and propaganda.
The Nuremberg Laws, enacted in 1935, were pivotal in institutionalizing Nazi racial policies. They defined Jewish identity based on ancestry and stripped Jews of German citizenship, laying the groundwork for systemic discrimination and the eventual Holocaust.
The Munich Agreement of 1938 allowed Hitler to annex the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia in exchange for a promise of no further expansion. This policy of appeasement aimed to prevent conflict but emboldened Hitler’s aggressive expansionist ambitions.
The Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, imposed harsh reparations and territorial losses on Germany. Hitler exploited the widespread discontent and economic hardship resulting from the treaty to rally nationalist support and consolidate his power.
Key events leading to Hitler’s downfall included military defeats such as Stalingrad and D-Day, the collapse of Nazi alliances, and the relentless Allied advance into Germany. The cumulative effect of these defeats led to Hitler’s suicide in April 1945.
Adolf Hitler committed suicide on April 30, 1945, in his bunker beneath the Reich Chancellery in Berlin. Facing imminent defeat as Allied forces closed in, he chose to end his life rather than surrender.
Hitler decided to commit suicide to avoid capture and humiliation. With Germany’s defeat imminent and the Allies closing in on Berlin, he preferred to die on his own terms rather than face the consequences of surrendering or being captured.
Hitler's dictatorship ended on April 30, 1945, with his suicide. This marked the collapse of Nazi Germany’s leadership and hastened the end of World War II in Europe as Allied forces rapidly advanced towards Berlin.
Famous quotes by Adolf Hitler
“Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually, they will believe it.”
“The victor will never be asked if he told the truth.”
“Strength lies not in defense but in attack.”
“If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.”
“He alone, who owns the youth, gains the future.”
“The great masses of the people will more easily fall victims to a big lie than to a small one.”
“We are socialists, we are enemies of today’s capitalistic economic system for the exploitation of the economically weak, with its unfair salaries, with its unseemly evaluation of a human being according to wealth and property instead of responsibility and performance, and we are all determined to destroy this system under all conditions.”
“The very first essential for success is a perpetually constant and regular employment of violence.”
“What a luck for rulers, that men do not think.”
“The art of leadership… consists in consolidating the attention of the people against a single adversary and taking care that nothing will split up that attention.”
“All propaganda has to be popular and has to accommodate itself to the comprehension of the least intelligent of those whom it seeks to reach.”
“The broad mass of a nation… will more easily fall victim to a big lie than to a small one.”
“I do not see why man should not be just as cruel as nature.”
“Words build bridges into unexplored regions.”
“Anyone who sees and paints a sky green and fields blue ought to be sterilized.”
Facts on Adolf Hitler
Early Life: Adolf Hitler was born on April 20, 1889, in Braunau am Inn, Austria. He had a troubled childhood and early adulthood, including time spent as a struggling artist in Vienna.
Rise to Power: Hitler joined the German Workers’ Party, which later became the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazi Party). He rose to prominence as the party’s leader and later became the Chancellor of Germany in 1933.
Totalitarian Regime: Hitler established a totalitarian regime in Germany, consolidating power and suppressing opposition. He eliminated political rivals and used propaganda to control public opinion.
Expansionist Policies: Hitler pursued an aggressive foreign policy, aiming to expand German territory. His actions led to the annexation of Austria (Anschluss) and the occupation of Czechoslovakia.
World War II: Hitler’s invasion of Poland in September 1939 led to the outbreak of World War II. His military campaigns in Europe, including the invasion of France and the attack on the Soviet Union, caused widespread devastation and suffering.
The Holocaust: Under Hitler’s leadership, the Nazi regime systematically implemented the genocide of millions of people, primarily Jews, in what is known as the Holocaust. This involved mass extermination in concentration and extermination camps.
Downfall: As Allied forces advanced, Germany faced a series of defeats. Hitler’s leadership and the Nazi regime crumbled. In April 1945, as Soviet forces closed in on Berlin, Hitler committed suicide in his bunker.
Legacy: Hitler’s actions during World War II resulted in the deaths of millions of people and widespread destruction. The Holocaust is one of the darkest chapters in human history, and Hitler’s ideology of extreme nationalism and racism is widely condemned.
Nuremberg Trials: After World War II, many Nazi leaders, including high-ranking officials, were put on trial at the Nuremberg Trials. Some were executed, while others were sentenced to prison.
Historical Impact: Adolf Hitler and the events associated with his leadership are a major focus of study in history and continue to serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of totalitarianism, racism, and extreme ideologies.
Academic References on Adolf Hitler
- “Hitler: A Biography” by Ian Kershaw: This extensively researched biography looks into the life and career of Adolf Hitler, providing deep insights into his rise to power, his policies, and the events leading up to World War II.
- “The Coming of the Third Reich” by Richard J. Evans: This book offers a detailed analysis of the historical events that led to the rise of the Nazi regime and Hitler’s ascent to power in Germany.
- “The Third Reich in History and Memory” edited by Richard J. Evans: This collection of essays explores the history and memory of the Third Reich, including Hitler’s role, from various academic perspectives.
- “Hitler and Nazi Germany: A History” by Jackson J. Spielvogel: This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of Hitler’s life, Nazi ideology, and the impact of the Nazi regime on Germany and the world.
- Articles in “Holocaust and Genocide Studies,” “Central European History,” and “The Journal of Contemporary History”: These academic journals often contain research and analysis related to Hitler, the Holocaust, and Nazi Germany.
- “Mein Kampf” by Adolf Hitler: Although an autobiographical work, “Mein Kampf” provides insight into Hitler’s personal views and the development of his ideology.
- “The Hitler of History” by John Lukacs: This book critically examines the various interpretations and perspectives on Adolf Hitler in historical scholarship.
- “The Psychopathic God: Adolf Hitler” by Robert G. L. Waite: An in-depth psychological analysis of Hitler’s personality, exploring the psychological factors that influenced his behavior and actions.
- “Hitler: Profiles in Power” by Ian Kershaw: A more focused examination of Hitler’s political career and the exercise of power during his rule.
- “Becoming Hitler: The Making of a Nazi” by Thomas Weber: This work explores Hitler’s early life and the factors that contributed to his transformation into a Nazi leader.
- “Explaining Hitler: The Search for the Origins of His Evil” by Ron Rosenbaum: A collection of essays and perspectives on the many attempts to understand and explain Hitler’s actions and the nature of evil.