Adolf Hitler was born on April 20, 1889, in Austria, and died on April 30, 1945, in Berlin, Germany. He was the leader of the Nazi Party (Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, NSDAP), and his tenure as Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945 and as Führer (Leader) from 1934 to 1945 marked one of the most destructive periods in modern history.
Hitler was born in Braunau am Inn, Austria, to Alois Hitler and Klara Pölzl. His father was a customs officer, and his upbringing was strict and authoritarian. Hitler had a troubled relationship with his father and showed an early interest in art, although he was twice rejected by the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna.
Hitler served in the German Army during World War I, where he was injured and decorated for bravery. After the war, he remained in the army, working as an intelligence officer, and was assigned to monitor the German Workers' Party (DAP), which later evolved into the Nazi Party. He joined the party in 1919 and quickly became its most prominent figure.
Hitler's oratory skills and his ability to capitalize on the economic and political instability in Germany following World War I propelled him into the national spotlight. He attempted a coup in 1923 known as the Beer Hall Putsch, which failed, leading to his imprisonment. While in prison, he wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle), detailing his political ideology, anti-Semitism, and plans for Germany's future.
Upon his release in 1924, Hitler reorganized the Nazi Party, and through propaganda, mass rallies, and political alliances, he managed to gain significant electoral support. The Great Depression further increased his appeal as he promised economic recovery and national revival.
Appointed as Chancellor of Germany in 1933 by President Paul von Hindenburg, Hitler consolidated power rapidly. After Hindenburg's death in 1934, Hitler declared himself Führer, combining the offices of Chancellor and President.
During the war, Hitler's policies led to the genocide of six million Jews, known as the Holocaust, along with millions of others considered "undesirable" by the Nazi regime. His military strategies initially brought success but eventually led to a prolonged war on multiple fronts, stretching Germany's resources thin.
As the war turned against Germany, especially after the failed invasion of Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa), Hitler became increasingly isolated and erratic. Facing imminent defeat, he committed suicide in his Führerbunker in Berlin on April 30, 1945, shortly before the city fell to the Soviet forces.
Hitler's actions and the ideology he promoted have left a profound mark on history, influencing political thought, international relations, and ethics. His regime's atrocities, particularly the Holocaust, have led to extensive efforts in remembrance, education, and prevention of similar ideologies and events.
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