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On April 30,1945, Adolf Hitler committed suicide in an underground bunker
near the center of Berlin. His dream of a Thousand - Year Reich lay in ruins.
German cities had been bombed, German armies captured or destroyed. A week after
Hitlers death, Germany offered unconditional surrender to Allied forces. The
nightmare of World War 2 in Europe came to an end. Hitler was the only man
responsible for the horrors of World War 2. But it was his dream of world
domination that possessed Germany. For twelve years he had the opportunity to
make the world over in the image of his sick fantasies. He nearly succeeded.
Hitler was one of the most hated men in world history. But he cannot be
dismissed as simply a monster who through the accidents of history reached great
power. Hitler was a man whose prejudices and fears were shared by many other
people. He gained their trust, even their adoration. Millions, after all died
fighting in his name. We must take Hitler seriously both as an individual and as
an effective politician in order to understand how he gained so much power and
how he abused that power. Only then will we be able to appreciate the profound
evil of Hitler and Nazism. Adolf Hitler: The Man Behind the Mask! Adlof Hitler
was born April 20, 1889 to Alois and Klara Hitler and had a little sister Paula
and half-brother Alois J.R. and half-sister Angela. Young Adolf was a good
student in elementary. Energetic and smart, leader among children his own age.
Loved warlike games. Had an outstanding gift as a speaker. It was also
discovered Adolf could draw which encouraged him to want to become an artist.
After returning to Vienna in February hoping to gain admission to the Academy of
Fine Arts, but had been turned down and later turned down twice more after
failing the entrance exam. He lived alone most of his life until Reihold Hanisch,
noted his talent for drawing and suggested he produce postcards to be sold on
taverns and on the street.
They sold well and Hanisch suggested Hitler produce
water color pictures which could be sold for more money. His mother died
December 21, 1907 and he left Vienna later on in 1913 for he hated Jews and
despised of his country because of the trade- unions, democratic rule, and
mankind. So, he left Vienna and went to Munich to study art and architecture,
while in the mean time becoming fascinated with politics as he continued to
struggle as an artist. When all hopes of Hitler becoming an artist were lost
World War 1 had started when Archduke Franz Ferdinan was assassinatedon June 28
in Sarajevo. After that Austria declared war on Serbia, Germany declared war on
Russia and France. Hitler volunteered for the German army and was accepted. He
saw action on the western front facing British, French, and Belgian troops.
Hilter worked as a messenger. He had receives six medals for bravery including
the Iron Cross Medal which is Germany's highest military honor. After Germany's
defeat in 1917. Hitler felt military had stabbed Germany in the back for giving
up and not wanting to fight. On June 28, 1919, Versailles Treaty was signed
which caused a break down of military and police organizations. A first attept
at political democracy was made, but failed. On March 31, 1920, The Nationalist
Socialist Party German Workers Party was formed.
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