Hitler, Adolf

Hitler, Adolf (1889-1945), German statesman.

Adolf Hitler was born in Austria, the son of a Customs official named Alois Schicklgruber who changed his name to Hitler.

In the First World War (1914-18) he was a foot soldier and won the Iron Cross.

After the war he joined the National Socialist German Worker's Party, known as Nazis.

By 1933 Hitler was leader of the Nazi Party and he became Chancellor of Germany.

Soon he had the powers of a dictator and he introduced the Gestapo (Secret Police) and tried to enforce Nazism on all Germans. They had to give the salute, an outstretched arm, and say, 'Heil Hitler!'

He did not want any Jews in Germany and they were put to death in millions.

In the lead up to World War Two he began to take over other states-1935 Rhineland, 1938 Austria and part of Czechoslovakia.

In September 1939, he invaded Poland and this action started the Second World War (1939-45).

Russian armies reached Berlin in 1945. Hitler was hiding in an air raid shelter and is believed to have killed himself.

See John Toland Adolf Hitler