Adolf Hitler, the German Dictator, having brought prosperity to his nation while spreading devastation throughout the world, died on April 30, 1945. Knowing that his private bunker would be imminently raided, he committed suicide by gunshot wound to the head. He was found alongside his wife Eva Braun who had also committed suicide by ingesting cyanide. He was 56 and is succeeded only by his younger sister Paula Hitler.
Adolf Hitler was born April 20, 1889, the child of Alois and Klara Hitler and was raised in Austria-Hungary. Adolf was an aspiring artist who went to Vienna to fulfill his ambitions, only to be rejected from art school. Broke, disappointed and with his country losing the Great War, he went Germany for which he developed national pride. When the Treaty of Versailles blamed the war squarely on Germany, they were stripped of its many resources leaving it destitute and humiliated.
Adolf Hitler was born April 20, 1889, the child of Alois and Klara Hitler and was raised in Austria-Hungary. Adolf was an aspiring artist who went to Vienna to fulfill his ambitions, only to be rejected from art school. Broke, disappointed and with his country losing the Great War, he went Germany for which he developed national pride. When the Treaty of Versailles blamed the war squarely on Germany, they were stripped of its many resources leaving it destitute and humiliated.
Enraged, Hitler sought to save his adopted nation with his newfound political views. He proclaimed the current Weimar Republic to be an inept system for being unable to reverse these perilous circumstances and promised that his new movement, “National-Socialism” would succeed where democracy has failed. Helped by his charisma and boasting a strong sense of nationalism, the masses gave him the support necessary to be elected as chancellor. Soon after, the Enabling Act of 1933 was passed by the german parliament which granted Hitler total legislative power, effectively turning the Weimar Republic into a dictatorship. Following the death of the President Paul Von Hindenburg, the position of president and chancellor were combined into the position of the Fürher. To maintain his absolute power and prevent internal strife within a rising nation, all outside ideologies were removed leaving him completely unopposed.
Although an apparent dictatorship, Nazi Germany only employed limited totalitarianism. Hitler alone never had the total control that a totalitarian leader is expected to have. He instead gave most of that power to his lower-ranking officials who were commanded to fulfil Hitler’s wishes through their decisions. Complete totalitarianism was never employed because it was never needed to maintain order. The progress achieved in rebuilding the country were enough to satisfy the community.
Following Hitler’s empowerment, unemployment levels went from over 30% in 1932 to virtually non-existent levels by 1938. This was accomplished by using manual labour rather than machine work, which subsequently increased the production of goods and progressively restarted the economy. Public work programs were also used to end unemployment, which included work in construction, roads and autobahns
Germany also saw rearmament during this period of development even though prohibited from raising a sizable army by the Treaty of Versailles. In 1935, Hitler publicly announced that they had raised army of 300,000 men and built 2500 war planes.
Despite these shows of self-sufficiency, Germany lacked the land necessary to produce agriculture efficiently. Wanting to avoid relying on imports, they resolved to get these resources forcefully.
Germany also saw rearmament during this period of development even though prohibited from raising a sizable army by the Treaty of Versailles. In 1935, Hitler publicly announced that they had raised army of 300,000 men and built 2500 war planes.
Despite these shows of self-sufficiency, Germany lacked the land necessary to produce agriculture efficiently. Wanting to avoid relying on imports, they resolved to get these resources forcefully.
Under Hitler’s direction, Germany saw long strides of military success and territorial expansion. They wanted to capture Europe as swiftly as possible though to use of multiple brief, but powerful military campaigns. Using their new army, innovative tactics and appeasement, Germany captured most of central Europe by 1941.
Hitler’s ultimate goal was to cleanse humanity for the benefit of the world, a goal that was being fulfilled with astonishing efficiency. The Nazi party was very outspoken of its discrimination against jews, gypsies, communists, homosexuals, and the slavs among others. Over 1200 concentration camps were established scattered throughout Nazi occupied territory that were purposed to kill the undesirables and were very successful; by the end of the war nearly 6 million jews were killed in such camps.
But Adolf Hitler’s overly ambitious nature proved to be a double-edged sword that lead to his downfall. Despite having agreed on multiple occasions to cease territorial expansion, the invasions continued nonetheless. This prompted the UK and France, whose allies included China, the USSR and the USA to declare war. Germany was overwhelmed and the Third Reich quickly began to dissolve, leading to the death of the Führer.
But Adolf Hitler’s overly ambitious nature proved to be a double-edged sword that lead to his downfall. Despite having agreed on multiple occasions to cease territorial expansion, the invasions continued nonetheless. This prompted the UK and France, whose allies included China, the USSR and the USA to declare war. Germany was overwhelmed and the Third Reich quickly began to dissolve, leading to the death of the Führer.
Despite the questionable decisions made by Hitler, he was the force Germany needed. Hitler was undeniably successful in elevating Germany from its economically devastated state to one of great power within a considerably short amount of time. Without the proper direction, Germany would have probably collapsed entirely. To his country, Hitler was a bringer of glory to a broken nation. To the outside world, his story will be a cautionary tale regarding dictatorial rule for years to come.