Adolf Hitler’s Birthplace
Adolf Hitler was born in Braunau am Inn, Austria in 1889. His father, Alois Hitler, was a customs officer, and his mother, Klara, was a former housemaid. Braunau am Inn is a small village, located in the Austrian Alps, and Alois and Klara had been married for eighteen years before Adolf’s birth. Because the village was so small, the Hitler family was gossiped about throughout the community.
Adolf’s father was a strict disciplinarian, and his parents had hoped for a daughter instead of a son. Being born into a negative family environment had a lasting impact on Adolf throughout his life, something historians and psychologists now believe had a profound influence on his development into a dictator.
Adolf’s early childhood years were spent attending the local one-room village school and going to church with his family. He idolized his father and was filled with awe by his presence. His supportive mother helped to build a strong relationship between the two.
Adolf was often seen playing with a toy soldier and displayed some of his future militaristic tendencies as a child. He was expelled from school at age sixteen and moved to Vienna, where he remained for five years.
At age twenty-one, Adolf suddenly joined the newly formed German army and fought in the First World War. After his return, his bitterness from the defeat of Germany manifested itself into his political ideology and eventually led to him becoming the leader of the Nazi party.
Adolf Hitler’s Childhood
Adolf was an intelligent student, but was often disruptive in class, much to the dismay of his teachers. It’s thought that his father’s strictness in his upbringing caused Adolf to resent authority. He was also said to have been extremely hot-tempered and often got into fights with other kids.
Members of the Hitler family have suggested that Adolf suffered from bullying in school which further fuelled his resentment of authority. It’s said that the village school was not the most inviting environment and that Adolf felt like an outsider.
Historians have noted that Adolf had a certain fascination with death and the macabre. It is believed that this could possibly be attributed to the death of his younger brother, Edmund, when Adolf was only six years old. It is said he was profoundly affected by the incident.
Despite the arguments with his father, friends and teachers, it is still thought that Adolf was quite a well-behaved child. He was often praised for his politeness, obedience and cleanliness. He was also said to be a gifted artist and enjoyed playing the piano, harmonica and violin.
Environmental Influence
Although historians initially believed that Adolf’s formative years had a huge impact on his later actions, later research has suggested that the cultural environment of 19th century Austria could be just as much to blame. Nazi ideologies were already widely spread in Austria and Adolf was known to have been greatly influenced by their teachings.
Adolf himself was seen to draw on the Austrian nationalist tradition to encourage the growth of German patriotism. This in turn increased his popularity among the people and eventually led to his rise as leader.
Regardless of what could have influenced his development, it is clear that his mother had an undeniable influence on his life. She was the one who encouraged him to pursue his artistic aspirations, something his father never supported. She also provided a consistent source of love, and was something Adolf regularly sought solace in during his struggle to power.
Adolf’s Actions During WWI
Adolf saw active service in the first world war and was awarded the Iron Cross for his courage and bravery. He was twice decorated and rose to the rank of lance corporal in a Bavarian regiment. He also undertook specialised training, evidence of which stems from comments that he made on tactics during the Battle of the Somme.
Throughout the war, Adolf displayed extreme courage and an unwarranted brutality towards his fellow men, something that was highly praised by his superiors. It is thought that this display of courage, along with the writing of his infamous Mein Kampf and his rhetoric, was what enabled him to rise to power.
Adolf Hitler’s Early Political Career
Adolf was a fervent German nationalist and was extremely impressed by Adolf Böhme, a leader of the German nationalist movement at the time. He graduated from a military academy in 1918 and began to voice his nationalist sentiments to the public. His particular style of rhetoric and oratory skills won him increasing support.
In 1919, Adolf joined the nascent Nazi party, and was soon appointed party leader. He was an engaging speaker and was very effective at propagating his views. Under his leadership, the party grew from a small group of people to a major political force within Germany. The Nazis were also very successful at gaining a corrupt form of power which enabled them to rise to higher office.
Adolf Hitler’s Rise to Power
Adolf’s rise to power was swift and his leadership was initially welcomed by the German people. He was seen as someone who could accomplish great things, and was the visionary the country had been waiting for. He cleverly exploited a variety of measures, including terror and intimidation, to consolidate power.
Over the next few years, Adolf introduced a myriad of oppressive laws, purged his political opponents, and set about implementing his vision for a ‘master race’. He also began to militarise the country and pursue a policy of expansion and conquest. This ultimately resulted in the outbreak of World War II.
Adolf Hitler’s Death
Adolf Hitler committed suicide on April 30th 1945, after Germany’s defeat at the hands of the Allied forces. He died by shooting himself in the head, either with a small pistol or with a cyanide capsule. His wife, Eva Braun, committed suicide alongside him.
His body was burned beyond recognition, which further engendered conspiracy theories over the years. Some of these theories suggest that Adolf Hitler had escaped to South America, while others suggest he faked his death to start a new life in Argentina.
The Legacy of Adolf Hitler
Despite his death, Adolf Hitler still casts a long shadow over modern history. He is widely regarded as a symbol of evil, and his actions are seen by many as among the most heinous in human history.
His legacy is one of horror and destruction, and his name continues to evoke feelings of contempt and revulsion. He is remembered for his oppressive policies, for his racial hatred and for his anti-Semitism. His legacy, however, is one of a tyrant who was ultimately overcome by his own ambition.
The Debate Over Adolf Hitler’s Birthplace
There has been much debate in recent years over exactly where Adolf Hitler was born. Although officially, he was born in Braunau am Inn in Austria, German nationalists have sought to deny this, claiming that he was actually born in Baden-Württemberg in Germany.
The debate continues to this day, but evidence points to Adolf’s birth in Austria, although the exact location remains a matter of contention. Given the significance of the location of his birth, it is perhaps ironic that, centuries later, its significance is still being debated.
