Adolf Hitler Moving to Vienna in 1905
Adolf Hitler was born in Austria in 1889 and was one of the most notorious dictators of the twentieth century. By the time he was 16, he had decided he wanted to become an artist and moved to Vienna to pursue a career in the arts. But life in Vienna in 1905 proved difficult for Hitler and he found himself faced with a great deal of poverty and destitution.
Vienna in 1905 had no social security system in place and it was common for men to live in tiny dormitories and to be dependent on generous benefactors for their daily meals. Hitler was offered support by a Jewish family he had been friendly with at school and found a job as a watercolour artist, but he was only able to commit to it for three months.
He quickly realised that he was in no position to pursue his dream of being an artist and so he decided to move away from Vienna in order to find work and a more stable way of life. After briefly living in Munich, he finally located to Ulm where he lived with his half-sister, Anna Shicklgruber, and her family.
This period in Ulm proved to be a relatively stable and prosperous one for Hitler and he was able to find gainful employment as a clerk in the civil service. This was to be his primary job until 1914, when he chose to enlist in the Bavarian Army and fight in World War I.
It is clear that Adolf Hitler’s career in the civil service in Ulm gave him the stability and income he needed to plan for was eventually to become Nazi Germany. It is interesting to note that his time in Vienna had such an influence on him and he was not able to make a living in the arts as he had hoped.
The lasting legacy of Vienna in 1905 was to shape the man who would go on to have such a great impact on the history of Europe.
The Social, Economic and Political Climate
In 1905, Vienna was in the grip of a severe economic crisis which had been exacerbated by the Austro-Hungarian government’s exorbitant military spending. There was a great deal of social unrest in the city and an outspoken anti-semitic campaign was being waged on the streets.
The universities in Vienna had become hotbeds of Nationalist and Pan-Germanic ideology and Hitler was exposed to these ideas for the first time. It is often suggested that these early influences left a deep and lasting impression on the young Hitler, which ultimately led to the Nazi movement.
Experts have long argued that Vienna in 1905 was an important factor in shaping Hitler’s views, particularly his anti-semitism and his staunch opposition to Socialism. These views were reflected in his later work in Mein Kampf and were a driving force behind his decision to move away from the city.
As a result, we can look at Hitler’s time in Vienna in 1905 as a crucial period in his development as a political figure. It was during this time that he became exposed to certain powerful ideas which would shape and influence his actions for years to come.
Hitler’s Time in Munich
After leaving Vienna in 1905, Hitler moved to Munich in pursuit of a more stable and prosperous life. Although Hitler was only in Munich for a short time, it was clear that his experiences there would leave him with a lasting impression of the city.
Contrary to Vienna, Munich was a more vibrant and cosmopolitan city and it was renowned for its progressive views and colourful nightlife. Here Hitler found a new sense of belonging and he was welcomed into the city’s many intellectual circles which discussed literature, politics and art.
While living in Munich, Hitler was able to take advantage of the city’s many educational opportunities and pursue his ambition of becoming an artist. He also continued to develop his disdain for Socialism and was inspired by the Bavarian nationalist movement.
In many ways, Munich was a stepping stone for Hitler and it is widely believed that the time he spent there moulded his views and ambitions for the future.
Hitler’s Move to Ulm
After leaving Munich, Hitler moved to Ulm where he found a stable job and was able to earn a regular wage. This was to be his primary source of income until 1914, when he enlisted in the Bavarian Army and fought in World War I.
Ulm was a far less cosmopolitan city than Munich and it was dominated by a traditional and conservative way of life. It was in Ulm that Hitler was able to put his theories of Nationalism and pan-Germanism into practice, and this shaped his views on the role of the German people in the wider world.
What is more, Ulm also provided Hitler with financial stability and it was here that he became able to envision a political career for himself. It was in Ulm that Hitler was able to plan for was eventually to become Nazi Germany and it is clear that his time there was a crucial turning point in his life.
Hitler’s move to Ulm was thus vital for the rise of Nazi Germany and it is safe to say that it was one of the most important decisions of Hitler’s life.
Role of the Jewish Community
Vienna in 1905 was a difficult place to live and it was especially hard for Jews who faced discrimination and poverty on a daily basis. Despite this, many members of the Jewish community helped the young Hitler, providing him with food and shelter when he was most in need.
When Hitler moved to Munich, he was also welcomed by members of the local Jewish community and they helped him to get settled in the city. These acts of kindness were rare in his early years and it is clear that they had a lasting impression on Hitler and contributed to his later ambivalence towards the Jewish people.
Although members of the Jewish community had been kind to Hitler, his time in Vienna was pivotal in shaping his views on Jews, and it is clear that these experiences influenced him deeply in the years that followed.
It is impossible to know what would have happened to Hitler if he had not moved to Vienna in 1905 and been exposed to the climate of intolerance and anti-semitism which existed in the city at the time.
The Consequences of Hitler’s Move
The consequences of Hitler’s move to Vienna in 1905 were profound and it is clear that this was a turning point in his life. It was in Vienna that Hitler was exposed to certain powerful ideas, such as Nationalism and anti-socialism, which would shape his actions for years to come.
It was also during this period that Hitler was exposed to the anti-semitic views which were rampant in Vienna at the time and this was to have a lasting impact on his attitude towards Jews. These experiences were to form the cornerstone of Nazi ideology and it is clear that they were instrumental in Hitler’s career.
Ultimately, Vienna in 1905 was a crucial moment in Hitler’s life and it is clear that this period helped to shape the events of the twentieth century.
Political Impact of Hitler’s Move
Adolf Hitler’s move to Vienna in 1905 had a profound political impact and it is often cited as a major factor in the rise of Nazi Germany. Hitler’s time in Vienna exposed him to certain powerful ideas, such as Pan-Germanism and anti-semitism, which he later sought to implement in Nazi Germany.
It was in Vienna that Hitler first formulated his ideas about the role of the German people in the world and it was here that he began to develop his vision of a unified and powerful German Empire.
It is clear that without this period in Vienna, Hitler’s vision of Nazi Germany would not have been possible. Therefore, it is safe to say that Hitler’s move to Vienna in 1905 had a crucial impact on the course of history.
Cultural Influence
Despite the negative associations associated with Hitler’s time in Vienna, it is also clear that this period had a profound cultural impact. During this time, Hitler was exposed to the vibrant cultural scene of Vienna and it is likely that he was inspired by the city’s many artists, writers and thinkers.
This period in Vienna also influenced Hitler’s views on art and he later sought to implement a government sponsored policy of ‘Kunststille’, which was designed to promote ‘pure’ German art. It is clear that this policy was heavily influenced by his experiences in Vienna and it is impossible to know what would have happened without this period in his life.
Thus, it is clear that Vienna in 1905 had a lasting impact on Hitler, not only in his political views, but also in his cultural tastes and influences.
Conclusion
Adolf Hitler’s move to Vienna in 1905 was a pivotal moment in his life and it is clear that this period had a lasting impact on his later career as a dictator. It was here that he was exposed to certain powerful ideas, such as Nationalism and anti-semitism, which he later sought to implement in Nazi Germany.
Additionally, his move to Vienna had a profound cultural impact and it is likely that he was inspired by the city’s artists, writers and thinkers. Ultimately, it is safe to say that Hitler’s time in Vienna was a crucial factor in the rise of Nazi Germany and it is impossible to know what would have happened without this period in his life.
