Adolph Hitler n Born April 20 1889 Was

Adolph Hitler n Born April 20, 1889. – Was born a Roman Catholic. – Father was very stern and often beat Hitler. » Hitler apparently hated his father. Alois Hitler

n Mother was overprotective. – Hitler became dependent upon her. – Looked for mother figure as an adult. Klara Hitler

Always clashed with father, who called Hitler a dreamer because of his desire to be an artist. n Hitler bothered by possibility of Grandfather being Jewish. n – Father’s mother (Mari Anne Schickelgruber) was a servant in a Jewish household and had Hitler's father out of wedlock. – Hitler had secret police investigate that possibility no less than 3 times.

n School Life was poor and sporadic. – Showed little capacity for maturity and development. » Psychologically he “never grew up” (intellectually, emotionally, artistically or sexually). » As an adult his immaturity only intensified. – As a school boy he only read and learned issues that confirmed his prejudices. » Again this continues into adulthood. – Subject to violent temper tantrums.

n Child hero worship continues into adulthood (Wagnerian operas, stories about Germanic Teutonic knights and American cowboys). n Hitler did not alter beliefs and prejudices from childhood to adulthood. – These become basis of political program.

n Father died in 1903. – Overprotective mother gave into every whim and fantasy. n n Hitler unable to achieve success in “Realschulen”, convinced his mother he was deathly ill and to let him drop out in 1905. Favored himself a “Gentleman”, wore black kid gloves, derby and carved ivory handled mahogany cane. – Refused to work to help widowed mother (work beneath him). – Spent time attending theater and operas, and gave impassioned orations of Germany’s future to his few friends (actually outlined plan for creating a great racially pure Reich).

n In 1907 he left dying mother for Vienna to attend art school. – Mother died soon after of cancer (doctor was Jewish). – Spent rest of life “looking for mother”. » Never married, had as many as 14 affairs, 6 of whom killed themselves. n Rejected for admission to art school by 4 -3 vote. – Majority happened to be Jewish (believed there was a conspiracy to reject him). – Continues to “act” as art student to receive his portion of Orphan's Relief (would have gone to younger sister). n At 22, forced to give up pension by court order.

n Survives by painting and selling postcards and drawing advertisements. – DID NOT/WOULD NOT DO MANUAL LABOR. – Persuaded crippled aunt to make a large gift to him and leave bulk of life savings to him. n Spent free time reading extremist political writings, speaking on ills of society and attending Wagnerian operas. n Hitler considered this time period (1907 -1913) the most important educational experience of his life.

George Lanz von Liebenfels n n Was a defrocked Catholic monk. Wrote book Theozoologie. – Divides all people into 2 groups: Aryan Supermen and animal subhuman (most evil being Jews). – Crude Social Darwinism that proclaimed a death struggle between the 2 groups. – The “Pure Souled” Aryans would win if they chose a strong leader (called Führer). – Would acquire an expanded Lebensraum (living space).

n Symbol would be Hakenkruez (hooked cross) or Swastika. – Christian symbol with mythical power. – Hitler believed it had hypnotic power of eyes and enhanced the power of his speech. n Also would adapt the symbol of “Holy Knighthood”. The Führer would launch war against the “Hydra headed enemy led by International Jewry”.

Guido von List n Reactionary Catholic priest, poet and nationalistic ideologist. – Predicts WW I and cause (International Jewish Conspiracy). – Calls for new Reich with strong Führer synthesizing monarchy, army and church. – Create racial ID with Northmen and Master Race.

Hitler’s Views on Religion Moved from Roman Catholic to romantic free thinker. n Privately a Pantheist: belief that God and the universe are identical (denies “personality” of God). n Contempt for Jews. n Publicly he remains Catholic (wants alliance with Pope). n – Collaborates with Mussolini and Church. – 1937, Pope condemns racial doctrine.

n August 24, 1913 -Hitler leaves Austria for Munich, Germany. – Many believe that he left to avoid compulsory military service in Austrian army. n With outbreak of WW I, Hitler quickly and enthusiastically joined German army. – Strangest soldier in world, within 6 months most soldiers hate war, not Hitler.

n Assumes he is on a crusade. n Served as dispatch runner on Western Front but volunteers for any duty. n No show for “female”, mail call or alcohol.

n n Was gassed and wounded twice. Won war wound medals and both the Iron Cross 2 nd Class and the Iron Cross 1 st Class (awarded for conspicuous front line bravery). Promoted to Lance Corporal. Hated by fellow soldiers who could not understand his enthusiasm. – He gave speeches to get soldiers to go “over the top” and to die for Fatherland.

Armistice-11/11/1918 n n n Hitler’s world crashed: How could the Master Race lose the war? …develops conspiracy theory (Jews and bankers lost war). Hitler returned to Munich, met racist agitators and hatred for Jews intensified. Hired by Captain Ernst Röhm of the army to “spy” on political parties and movements. – Also gave patriotic speeches. – One of Hitler’s 1 st political associations.

n Eventually Hitler and Röhm will create the Sturm Abteilung (Storm Troopers) out of the Freikorps as a private army (also known as the SA). – Used to break up opposition. n September 12, 1919 -Hitler investigates the Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (German Worker’s Party). – A nationalist, racist organization. – Felt they were an outlet for his talents in political agitation and party organization. – Hitler joins this small organization.