"In that hour it began". 

-Adolf Hitler

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Hitler as an infant

Adolf Hitler was born on April 20, 1889 in Austria.  His father, Alois, was a customs official.  His mother Klara, was very loving, and protective.  (Click here for more about Hitler's family.)

When Adolf finished primary school, he had two choices: a business-like school called 'Realschule', or an art academy.  Adolf chose art, and his father chose business.  Adolf lost this battle, and he was placed in a Realschule near Linz.  His first year there was terrible; he failed all of his classes.  One of Hitler's teachers there was part of the Volkisch movement.  The ideas of his teacher had a large impact on Hitler, and really got him thinking.

In 1904, Adolf was expelled from school because of failing grades. It was at age 16 when he formally stopped all schooling because of a lung illness.  Later, in 1907, he tried to get into the Vienna Art Academy.  His drawings were good, but not enough to get into the academy.  After this rejection, Hitler moved around, with really no purpose in life.  But, this was also the time when he started to formulize his ideas about power, Jews, government, and so on.  (Click here to learn more about Hitler's ideas).  During these years, Hitler also loved going to the opera.  Richard Wagner was a favorite, particularly his opera Rienzi.  Speaking of the first time he saw this opera, Hitler said "In that hour it began". 

Eventually, he joined the military service, volunteering in 1914.  He was enlisted in the Bavarian army.  For his bravery during war, he received the Iron Cross Second Class.  He was actually wounded several times, and almost lost his eyesight.  While recovering in a hospital, he was devastated to learn of Germany's defeat.  He also did not like that Germany was forced to accept the Treaty of Versailles.  It was at this time that he decided to go into politics. 

Return to the main Hitler page, or continue on and read about Hitler's Rise to Power