Hitler, Adolf

1889 - Born in Braunau, Austria; it was the birth of a German Nazi dictator, orator, and politician

1907 - Went to Vienna to fulfill his dream of becoming an artist but he failed in his exam to the Academy of Fine Arts

1913 - Immigrated to Bavaria.

1914-1918 - Fought in Bavarian regiment in World War I, receiving Iron Cross, First Class.

1919 - Joined German Workers' Party in Munich.

1920 - Placed in charge of propaganda for German Workers' Party (name changed to Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeitpartei also Nazi German Workers' Party)

1921 - Named president of Nazi Party, with dictatorial power over party apparatus

         - Gained support of Erich Ludendorff

1923 - Using Erich Ludendorff as figurehead, led unsuccessful attempt to overthrow Bavarian government (Beer Hall Putsch), in Munich.

         - Led the Storm Troopers of more than 2, 000 individuals for the purpose of seizing the Bavarian government.

         - It failed and he got arrested and sentenced to five years in prison.

1923-1924 - Imprisoned in Landsberg fortress.

         - While in prison, wrote "Mein Kampf" (also "My Struggle" dictated to Rudolf Hess)

         - In 1924, he got prematurely paroled.

1929 - Resumed Nazi organizational and propagandist activities, gaining many converts due largely to worsening economy and rising nationalism.

1930 - Protested against paying the debt of Germany during the World War I and blamed the burden to the Jews and Communists.

1932 - Candidate for president of Germany, but only garnered 40% of the votes so he got defeated by Paul von Hindenburg.

         - Helped secure lifting of ban on Nazi Storm Troops, leading to period of increased street skirmishes with opposition groups.

1933 - Offered chancellorship after resignation of Franz von Papen, but declined upon failing to receive guarantee of full power.

         - After resignation of Kurt von Schleicher, appointed chancellor by Paul von Hindenburg

         - Declared national boycott of Jewish-owned businesses.

         - Declared Nazi Party to be sole official political party.

         - Withdrew Germany from League of Nations.

1933-1945 - Chancellor of Germany.

         - Oversaw passage of Civil Service Law 1933, enabling dismissal of non-Aryan public officials.

1934 - Was granted dictatorial powers, lasting through 1937, as result of Enabling Act passed by Reichstag

         - Established summary People's Court, to try cases of treason.

         - Instigated Great Blood Purge, executing seventy-four people, including senior party officials, for alleged plot against Hitler regime.

         - Upon death of Paul von Hindenburg, received title of president (confirmed by plebiscite), assumed title of Fuhrer, and gained dictatorial powers on permanent basis.

1935 - Following favorable plebiscite in Saar basin, reincorporated Saar region of France into Germany

         - Repudiated disarmament clauses of Versailles Treaty and reinstituted compulsory military service.

         - Instituted Nuremberg Laws, depriving Jews of civil rights and banning intermarriage between Jews and Gentiles.

1936 - Repudiated Locarno Pacts and reoccupied Rhineland.

         - With Galeazzo Ciano, negotiated formation of Berlin-Rome Axis.

         - Concluded pact with Japan.

         - Recognized Francisco Franco regime as government of Spain.

1938 - Invaded and annexed Austria (Anschluss)

         - In response to separatist agitation by ethnic Germans in Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia, annexed Sudetenland, annexation recognized by major powers in Munich Pact of 1938.

1938-1945 - German defense minister, intending to exert direct control over military operations

         - Throughout chancellorship, directed systematic oppression and extermination (Holocaust) of ethnic, religious, and social minorities, especially Jews.

1939 - Annexed Bohemia and Moravia, dissolving Czechoslovakia but leaving Slovakia nominally independent.

         - Negotiated non-aggression pact with Russia.

         - Invaded Poland, starting World War II.

1940 - Invaded Norway and Denmark, followed by Belgium, Luxembourg, and Netherlands.

         - Occupied Paris and most of France 1940, concluding armistice with Henri Petain with Italy and Japan, concluded Tripartite Pact.

1941 - Invaded Yugoslavia.

         - Despite non-aggression pact with Joseph Stalin, launched surprise invasion of Russia.

         - Continued to exercise direct supervision of military operations, despite lack of strategic ability, leading to failure of Russia campaign and down turning of German fortunes.

1944 - Survived assassination attempt, led by German officers hoping to place competent military leadership in control and save Germany from total defeat.

         - Facing imminent defeat and Russian occupation of Berlin, suicide in bunker in Berlin, days before Germany's unconditional surrender.

         - As direct instigator of Holocaust and World War II, often cited as ultimate embodiment of evil.

1945 - On April 30, he committed suicide in his bunker.

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