Early Life and German Nationalism
Adolf Hitler was born on April 20, 1889 in Austria-Hungary,in the small town of Braunau-am-Inn on the Austrian- German border. Raised in a Catholic family, Hitler remained a devout German nationalist for the rest of his life. He showed strong signs of anti-Semitism and racism from an early age, leading to his eventual rise and persecution of Jewish people from 1933–1945.
Hitler was the oldest of six children born to Alois Hitler and Klara Pölzl. He was always an impulsive and rebellious student, so he was often in trouble with his teachers. In 1905, he dropped out of school and moved to Vienna where he studied art and architecture, but he was unsuccessful in both and failed to gain admission to the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna.
Hitler’s Rise to Power
Hitler’s rise to power started with his membership in the German Workers Party. He was appointed leader of the renamed National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi) in 1921. Hitler soon became known for his rhetoric and fiery speeches that stirred up a rabid, nationalistic spirit among supporters. His calls for the replacement of the Weimar Republic with a totalitarian dictatorship won wide support.
The Great Depression in 1929 further fueled popular support for the Nazi party, and Hitler was appointed chancellor in 1933. Soon after, he declared himself Führer, or “leader” of Germany, alongside his newly-formed coalition government. He successfully implemented a variety of policies that brought Germany out of the Depression and restored economic prosperity.
The Nazi Regime
Hitler’s new regime quickly moved to changes their policies, culture, and society. Nazi propaganda and indoctrination of the German people began to emphasize Germany’s superiority over other nationalities. Hitler sought to increase the power of the state through military expansionism and the cancellation of civil liberties. Jews and racial minorities were persecuted and eventually sent to concentration camps.
Hitler’s grasp on power intensified in 1934 when he purged anyone considered potential threats to his rule in what became known as the Night of the Long Knives. In 1938, Hitler’s expansionism was evidenced by the Anschluss with Austria and the annexation of the Sudetenland.
World War II
In 1939, Hitler’s conquest of the rest of the continent began with his invasion of Poland and the official outbreak of World War II. During the war, Nazi Germany continued to expand its territory and capture more territories through invasion and military campaign.
In 1941, Hitler declared war on the United States, leading to the United States joining the Allied forces to combat the Axis Powers. Hitler and his allies waged a brutal and devastating war that would eventually end in devastating failure for the Nazi regime.
Downfall of the Nazi Regime
Hitler and his Nazi party had become increasingly unpopular by 1945, due to their aggressive and ruthless campaigns on the battlefield, their atrocities against minorities and civilians, and their general mismanagement of Germany’s resources. In April of 1945, the Allies began to take over Germany and Hitler’s reign was quickly falling apart.
On April 30, 1945, with the Allied forces just blocks away, Hitler committed suicide in his bunker. By May, the Allies had taken all of Germany and the Nazi regime was no more.
Legacy of Adolf Hitler
The legacy of Adolf Hitler’s rule in Germany has been controversial and complex. While the atrocities and human rights violations committed by the Nazis will forever remain in the public’s memory, there are still those that argue for recognizing some of the positive changes made during his reign.
In particular, some argue that the economic miracle of the 1930s – which is credited to Hitler’s interest in infrastructure and public works – improved the lives of ordinary Germans and played a role in lifting them out of the economic crisis of the time.
Aftermath of World War II
The aftermath of Hitler’s reign and World War II were catastrophic and left a lasting effect on the world. War-torn Europe and other countries were left to rebuild and the economies of participating countries were badly damaged.
The human cost of Hitler’s actions were staggering, with millions of innocent people killed in concentration camps and others displaced and traumatized. In the years since Hitler’s reign, discussions of human rights, genocide, and racism have taken center stage in international discourse.
Contemporary Reception
Hitler’s legacy continues to divide people in the present day. On the one hand, there are those who acknowledge the horrors of his regime, yet argue for a fuller recognition of the positive changes made on Germany during the time period. On the other hand, there are those who argue that the positive changes that Hitler enacted are completely overshadowed by the human cost of the regime and continue to condemn any recognition of the Holocaust.
Despite the divide, Hitler continues to hold a notorious place in history as one of the most reviled and hated leaders of all time.
Political Impact
Adolf Hitler was largely responsible for the emergence of fascism and totalitarianism as the dominant forms of rule in the early twentieth-century. His rise to power in Germany and subsequent ideology of racial superiority directly led to World War II, a global conflict that resulted in the deaths of more than 70 million people and the destruction of economies and governments in Europe, Asia and Africa.
Hitler’s use of propaganda to obtain and retain popular support, his implementation of a Gestapo-like secret police force, and his willingness to use military force to achieve his political goals have all been studied and imitated by those seeking to further their own political power and influence.
The Impact on the World
The legacy of Hitler and the Nazis on the world has been far-reaching and long-lasting. Political regimes since then have drawn upon the populist nationalism espoused by Hitler and the Nazi Party to gain support.
In addition, the destruction of Jewish people during the Holocaust has led to a resurgence of anti-Semitism and xenophobia in many countries, while the recognition of the millions of innocent people killed has had a profound impact on the international movement of human rights and the politics surrounding genocide.
Furthermore, the aftermath of World War II has seen an increase in international conflicts and a decrease in trust between nations, as well as a more robust international political order, with the establishment of the United Nations and other global organizations.
