Adolf Hitler once said, “To conquer a nation, first disarm its citizens” (brainyquotes.com). Adolf Hitler was born April 20, 1889 in Braunau am Inn, Austria (biography.com). Hitler was the fourth of six children born to Alois Hitler and Klara Polzl (biography.com). Adolf Hitler showed great interest in fine arts; he applied to the Academy of Fine Arts from which he was declined twice (biography.com). Hitler and his father often clashed, Alois Hitler did not approve of Adolf’s interest in fine arts, but wished he would show amusement in business (biography.com). In addition to art, Hitler showed an early interest in German nationalism, rejecting the authority of Austria-Hungary (biography.com). This nationalism would become the motivating force
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Following the death of Hindenburg Hitler was named head of state, which lead to him becoming the supreme commander of the armed forces (biography.com). With Hitler having full power he established a Nazi army of more than 18 million soldiers, some who fought and invaded countries and other who killed and tortured innocent Jews (howes 109). Hitler believed the perfect race was aryan; blond hair, blue eyes, and tall. Hitler began taking away the rights of Jews forcing them to live in ghettos before he transported them to camps. Hitler built two camps; a concentration camp, and an extermination camp (history1900s.com). Although Hitler never visited these camps or talked about the killings publicly, he ordered his soldiers to torture and kill anyone who was not the “perfect race”(biography.com). From 1939 to 1945 Hitler and his party of Nazi’s were responsible for murdering between 11-14 million Jews (ushmm.org). On September 1, Germany invaded Poland. In response Britain and France declared war on Germany. During the early years of war Hitler conquered a copious number of countries including, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium (Howes 110). On June 22, 1941, Hitler contravened a non-aggression pact with Joseph Stalin, sending 3 million German troops to battle against the Soviet Union. The invading force seized a huge area before the German advance was stopped outside Moscow in December 1941. On December 7, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Hitler was now at war against an alliance that included Britain, the U.S., and the Soviet Union. Facing these super powers, Hitler’s military judgement and behavior became volatile. Due to Hitler’s erratic behavior the German army suffered loss in the Battle of Stalingrad and the Battle of Kursk. As a result, the German army had accepted that defeat was unavoidable and Hitler’s denial would cause destruction to Germany
Following the death of Hindenburg Hitler was named head of state, which lead to him becoming the supreme commander of the armed forces (biography.com). With Hitler having full power he established a Nazi army of more than 18 million soldiers, some who fought and invaded countries and other who killed and tortured innocent Jews (howes 109). Hitler believed the perfect race was aryan; blond hair, blue eyes, and tall. Hitler began taking away the rights of Jews forcing them to live in ghettos before he transported them to camps. Hitler built two camps; a concentration camp, and an extermination camp (history1900s.com). Although Hitler never visited these camps or talked about the killings publicly, he ordered his soldiers to torture and kill anyone who was not the “perfect race”(biography.com). From 1939 to 1945 Hitler and his party of Nazi’s were responsible for murdering between 11-14 million Jews (ushmm.org). On September 1, Germany invaded Poland. In response Britain and France declared war on Germany. During the early years of war Hitler conquered a copious number of countries including, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium (Howes 110). On June 22, 1941, Hitler contravened a non-aggression pact with Joseph Stalin, sending 3 million German troops to battle against the Soviet Union. The invading force seized a huge area before the German advance was stopped outside Moscow in December 1941. On December 7, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Hitler was now at war against an alliance that included Britain, the U.S., and the Soviet Union. Facing these super powers, Hitler’s military judgement and behavior became volatile. Due to Hitler’s erratic behavior the German army suffered loss in the Battle of Stalingrad and the Battle of Kursk. As a result, the German army had accepted that defeat was unavoidable and Hitler’s denial would cause destruction to Germany