Adolf Hitler

Adolf Hitler was born on April 20, 1889 at Braunau-am-Inn in Austria. His father, Alois, was a minor customs official. His mother, Klara, used to be a servant for Hitler's father and then married him. They had 6 children, but only Hitler and his sister Paula survived. Hitler had a hatred for his father because his father did not want him to be an artist. However, he was very close to his mother. Unfortunately, Hitler's father died in January 1903. His mother died of cancer in December 1907, leaving Hitler orphaned at the age of 18.

Hitler was an intelligent but very moody boy. He failed twice to pass the exams to gain admission to the high school in Linz. When he did get in, Hitler became captivated by the anti-Semitism lectures from his Professor. This influenced his views. Hitler left school at the age of 16. Hitler went to Vienna in hopes of becoming an artist after his parents died. He was entitled to an orphan pension. However, he lost the pension in 1910 but inherited some money from an aunt. Hitler applied twice to the Vienna schools of art and architecture but was rejected both times.

In Vienna Hitler began developing into an anti-Semite. Vienna had a very large Jewish community, and Hitler became very disgusted when he saw a Jew. In Vienna anti-Semitism had been developed by politicians. When Hitler read these politicians pamphlets, he began to acquire the belief in the superiority of the Aryan race. He also believed that the Jews were the almighty enemies of the Aryans. Hitler also blamed the Jews for being responsible for his poverty and his failure to achieve the success that he believed he deserved.

During World War I Hitler enlisted himself in the Bavarian Army and was an active messenger in France and Belgium. He won 2 awards for his bravery. One was the Iron Cross, second class in December 1914 and the other was the Iron Cross,