Hitler: The making of a monster
Adolf Hitler was the brutal dictator that started the second world war. Hitler rose to power as the leader of the Nazi Party in 1933, is considered a charismatic leader by the German public of the time. Six years into his dictatorship, he began World War Two by invading Poland. His beliefs and leadership led to the deaths of 6 million Jews, millions of Eastern Europeans, and hundreds of thousands of minorities. But how did the world come to see this? What led Hitler down this path of bloodshed and hatred? What made the monster?
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Where was Hitler born and what was his childhood like?
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_5″][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” type=”3_5″][et_pb_image src=”http://historywithhenry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-1989-0322-506_Adolf_Hitler_Kinderbild_retouched.jpg” _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” alt=”Hitler the making of a monster” title_text=”Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-1989-0322-506,_Adolf_Hitler,_Kinderbild_retouched” align=”center” width=”75%” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_5″][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Adolf Hitler was born on April 20th, 1889, in Austro-Hungary, on the German border town of Braunau Am Inn. His father was Alois Hitler, an Austrian civil servant who had been married twice before marrying Hitler’s mother, Klara Plozl, who was his cousin. The two began their relationship in secret whilst Alois was still married to his second wife, and 16-year-old Klara was working as a household servant in his home. When Alois’s second wife died, the pair quickly married and began trying for children – the first three attempts ending in three childhood deaths. Their fourth saw the birth of Adolf. He was raised alongside his two half-siblings, Alois Jr and Angela, in a household terrorised by their father, who was rough and cold to all of those around him. The family moved around regularly in his early life, notably to Passau, Germany, which gave him a noticeable accent that he carried throughout his life. When Hitler began school, he showed a lack of discipline and respect for authority. He was consequently beaten by his father for his behaviour, though this only worsened his performance and attitude.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Hitler considered becoming a priest
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”http://historywithhenry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/1-13.png” alt=”Hitler the making of a monster” title_text=”1″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Despite his abusive father, his early life was as normal as it could be. He enjoyed singing lessons and sang in a church choir. At this young age, his connection to the church briefly saw him consider being a priest when he grew up, though this idea died down within a few years. His family moved around in his childhood. Alois had retired as a civil servant, instead opting to try farming and beekeeping, which ultimately failed and plummeted the family into financial instability. Adolf Hitler’s behaviour became worse when his younger brother, Edmund, passed away from measles when he was 11.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Hitler’s behaviour at school
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”http://historywithhenry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2-13.jpg” alt=”Hitler the making of a monster” title_text=”2″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]The technical school his father forced him to attend noted that his temper shortened, and he had become detached and angry with all of those around him. As he became a teenager, the pressure and fallouts with his father became more frequent and explosive. Alois bullied Adolf to work towards being in the customs bureau like he had been when he was younger, ignoring his son’s desire to be an artist. The bad behaviour became steadily worse as he intentionally failed his classes to spite his father and his wishes. It was at this time that there were first signs of German nationalist ideas present in his mind, as the declining Habsburg Monarchy of Austria sent many young Austro-Germans towards the power of Germany. He and his friends would sing “Deutschlandlied”, the future German national anthem rather than the Austrian Imperial Anthem.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Hitler studied art in Vienna
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”http://historywithhenry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/3-13.jpg” alt=”Hitler the making of a monster” title_text=”3″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]His father’s death in January 1903 opened opportunities for Hitler as he was no longer under pressure to follow the specific life path he was attempting to force him on. He asked permission from his mother to leave the technical school and pursue his dream of going to an art school. She agreed, and when he began attending this school, there was a notable improvement in his behaviour and academic achievements. He travelled to the Austrian capital of Vienna in 1907, intending to study fine art. He applied twice to the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, where he was rejected both times; they recommended he apply for the school of architecture, though he would also be rejected here as well as he did not receive the qualifications necessary to be accepted when he was at his technical school. His situation became worse as his mother passed away from breast cancer in late 1907. He was in a city with no family; he was penniless and homeless. He faced no choice but to live in various homeless shelters around the city and earn meagre wages as a casual labourer. He also made a small amount of money by selling his watercolour paintings of locations around Vienna on the street.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Hitler began exposed to radical views
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.15.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Here in Vienna, the German Nationalistic ideas began to develop and become increasingly radical as he was exposed to racist and antisemitic ideas. He read newspapers and pamphlets that played into fears of the Jewish community and their intentions in Austria. This, combined with the exposure to a climate of politicians that normalised the horrific views, saw Hitler delve deeper into his hatred. Georg Ritter Von Schoneur was an Austrian politician that was particularly vocal of his antisemitic view of the time was one of many that Hitler began to read the opinions of regularly. Others like the mayor of Vienna, Karl Lueger, further intensified the fear and aggression between Christians and Jews in the city with his inflammatory views combined with a growing German idolisation.
There is debate as to how open Hitler was about his ideas and exactly when he began to truly believe what he was reading. He claimed in “Mein Kampf” that he saw the “truth” of the Jewish community when he was living in Vienna. However, friends of his at the time would dispute this claim, saying he regularly interacted with the community when he was living there and sold his paintings to those who liked his style. In mid-1913, he received the final funds from his father’s estate, allowing him to leave Vienna and travel to Munich to live. He would only briefly return to Austria the following year when he was conscripted into the Austro-Hungarian Army but would fail his medical examinations and fitness tests, and so he returned to Munich.
The early life of Adolf Hitler was crucial to setting him on his path as the bloodthirsty and hateful leader of the Nazi Party. Being amongst like-minded people created an echo chamber of hateful ideas that reinforced as permanent beliefs that he would carry throughout the rest of his life. Hitler: The making of a monster
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