Overview
Timelines
Overview and main events
Propaganda and Ideology
Economic Policies and Recovery
Early Life and Education
The Holocaust
Military Campaigns and Strategies
World War II
Personal Life and Relationships
World War I and Post-War Period
Rise to Power
Domestic Policies and Repression
Foreign Policy and Territorial Expansion
Chronicle
Articles
Adolf Hitler. Overview and main events
Overview and main events
Adolf Hitler, born on April 20, 1889, in Braunau am Inn, Austria, was a pivotal figure in modern history. He rose to become the dictator of Nazi Germany, leading the country from 1933 until his death in 1945. His life and actions had profound and devastating impacts on the world, culminating in the outbreak of World War II and the Holocaust. Here is a timeline of significant events in his life:
April 20, 1889
Birth
Adolf Hitler was born in Braunau am Inn, Austria, to Alois Hitler and Klara Pölzl. He was the fourth of six children, and his early life was marked by frequent moves and a strict, authoritarian father.
1895-1900
Early Education
Hitler began his education at a primary school in Fischlham and later attended the Realschule in Linz. He struggled in school, particularly in mathematics, and had a strained relationship with his father, who insisted he pursue a career in the civil service rather than his dream of becoming an artist.
1913
Move to Germany
Hitler moved to Munich, Germany, where he attempted to pursue a career in art but was rejected by the Academy of Fine Arts. This rejection was a significant setback and contributed to his growing resentment and nationalist sentiments.
1914-1918
World War I Service
Hitler served in the German Army during World War I, where he was decorated with the Iron Cross for bravery. His experiences during the war deeply influenced his worldview and political ambitions.
1921
Leadership of the Nazi Party
Hitler became the leader of the German Workers' Party (DAP), which later became the Nazi Party. He quickly rose to prominence with his charismatic oratory skills and radical ideology.
January 30, 1933
Appointment as Chancellor
Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany by President Paul von Hindenburg, marking the beginning of his rise to absolute power. Shortly after, the Reichstag passed the Enabling Act, which granted Hitler dictatorial powers.
August 2, 1934
Assumption of Absolute Power
Following the death of President Hindenburg, Hitler combined the offices of Chancellor and President, becoming the Führer of Germany. This consolidation of power allowed him to implement his totalitarian and autocratic policies without opposition.
September 1, 1939
Invasion of Poland and Start of World War II
Hitler's invasion of Poland triggered the declaration of war by France and Britain, marking the beginning of World War II. This aggressive expansion was a key part of his policy of Lebensraum (living space) for the German people.
1941-1945
The Holocaust and World War II
Hitler's regime implemented the systematic extermination of Jews and other minority groups, known as the Holocaust. During this period, Germany's military fortunes declined, and the Allies gradually gained the upper hand. Hitler's health and mental state deteriorated significantly as the war turned against him.
April 29, 1945
Marriage to Eva Braun
In the final days of the war, Hitler married his longtime partner, Eva Braun, in the Führerbunker in Berlin as Soviet forces closed in on the city.
April 30, 1945
Suicide
Hitler and his wife Eva Braun committed suicide in the Führerbunker to avoid capture by the Soviet Red Army. Their bodies were burned in accordance with Hitler's wishes, marking the end of the Nazi regime and Hitler's life.
