ADOLF HITLER

1. ADOLF HITLER APRIL 20, 1889 – APRIL 30, 1945

2. THE LITTLE BUNDLE OF JOY Hitler was born in Brauna am Inn, Austria – Hungary. He was the fourth of six children. Only Adolf and his sister Paula reached adulthood. His father was Alois Hitler (1837 – 1903) His mother was Klara Polzl (1860 – 1907) His father was married two times before and had two children with his second wife.

3. THE EARLY YEARS Adolf was a good student in elementary school. He failed the sixth grade and needed to repeat Hitler dropped out of school at sixteen without a diploma.

4. THE EARLY YEARS CONTINUED His father was violent towards him and his mother. He was often beaten by his father, sometimes on a daily basis. Hitler had great love and devotion to his mother, although he had great resentment towards his father.

5. FAMILY TREE *Hitler’s father, Alois, was an illegitimate child and took the name of his mother, Shicklgruber, for about 40 years. *He eventually took the name of his step-father, Hiedler. (Huetler, Huettler, Hitler). *The name Adolf means “noble wolf” in Old German. *He gave him self the nick-name “Wolf” or “ Herr Wolf”. *Many of his headquarters were given names with wolf in it. (wolfsschanze, werwolf, wolfhutt)

6. DID HITLER HAVE ANY JEWISH BLOOD? *Hitler’s paternal grandfather was one of the brothers Johann Georg Hiedler or Johann Nepomuk Hiedler. *There are suggestions that Hitler may have been as much as one-quarter Jewish. -His grandmother Maria Shicklgruber may have become pregnant while working as a servant in a Jewish household. -These rumors could never be confirmed (no documentation) -Opponents of Hitler tried to use these rumors to cause his downfall. *Some people believe this is the reason why Hitler made it illegal for German women to work in Jewish households. *After the Ansschluss, Hitler turned his father’s hometown into an artillery practice area. (CONICEDENCE OR NOT?)

7. EARLY ADULTHOOD *Beginning in 1905 Hitler lived a Bohemian life in Vienna. *He applied twice to the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna (1907 -1908) and was rejected each time. *Wanted to be a painter, was told his talent was in architecture. *Lacked the proper academic preparation.

8. EARLY ADULTHOOD CONTINUED In December of 1907 Hitler’s mother died of Breast Cancer and Hitler was ordered to give his orphan’s benefits to his sister Paula. He tried to make a living as a painter in Vienna, painting scenes from postcards and selling them to tourist. He did not do very well and in 1909 ran out of money and ended up living in a homeless shelter. Hitler said that he first became an anti-Semite while living in Vienna, although there is evidence to show it started before this. Hitler may have been influenced by many anti-Semitic writers and composers such as Richard Wagner. Hitler was also influenced by Martin Luther. Hitler received an inheritance form his father in 1913 and moved to Munich, Germany (always wanted to live in Germany) In 1914 he was given permission to serve in the Bavarian Army (Germany), although he was an Austrian citizen.

9. Hitler served in France and Belgium in 16th Bavarian Reserve Regiment. He was a Lance Corporal and served as a “runner”, the most dangerous job on the Western Front. He was decorated for bravery twice. (The Iron Cross) ADOLF HITLER IN WORLD WAR I (1914 – 1918)

10. Hitler was wounded in the leg in the Battle of the Somme and received the Wound Badge. In Oct. of 1918 he was temporarily blinded by a mustard gas attack and spent some time in a hospital. HITLER IN WORLD WAR I CONTINUED: