ADOLF HITLER
(1889 - 1945)

Adolf Hitler was born at Branau in Austria, the son of an Austrian Customs
official. He tried for art school in Vienna, but was unsuccesful and
eventually joined a Bavarian Regiment in the First World War, where he
served with distinction, winning the Iron Cross, First Class for gallantry.
He was gassed in 1918 and spent the last months of the war in military
hospital. In 1920, he entered politics and joined the newly formed NSDAP
(National Socialist German Workers Party) with policies opposed to
Communism, The Treay of Versailles, Internationalism and what Hitler saw as
too much Jewish influence in German affairs. In 1933, the Nazi Party was the
dominant party in Germany and Hitler became chancellor. On the death of
President Hindenburg, Hitler assumed dictatorial powers and became Fuhrer of
Germany. 

He pursued a policy of expansion and rearmament but managed also to solve
German's massive unemployment problem. In 1939, he invaded Poland thus
helping to trigger the Second World war (see article). He died during the
Battle of Berlin on April 30th 1945 by suicide.