Adolf Hitlers experiences and life as a young man would lead him to destruction in his later years as the Nazi leader. The Nazi movement placed a great deal of importance on family trees, and even made it a life-or-death issue. Ironically, Hitler’s grandfather was probably Jewish. He would not know his real grandfather.
Hitlers fathers nephew had convinced Alois Schicklgruber of his decision to change the name Schicklgruber from Schicklgruber Hiedler. This was to maintain the family surname. But when it came to writing the name down, it was Hitler. Alois and Klara married in 1885. In 1889, after four miscarriages in Austrian Branau Am Inn, just across the German border, Hitler was finally born.
Lambach, a small town with an ancient Benedictine Catholic monastery, was the new home of the family when they were seven years old. The old monastery was decorated by swastikas carved into woodwork and stones. Adolf saw these swastikas daily while he was attending school. Adolf sang in the choir at high mass and did very well. Hitler came across books on military matters in his fathers library. Hitler became obsessed with a picture-book on the War of 1870-1871 between Germany and France. The great struggle of history was soon my most spiritual experience. I became increasingly enthusiastic over everything connected to war and, in fact, soldering. Hitler said in Mein Kampf. The days of playing cowboys or Indians were overtaken by battle reenactments. Adolf’s little brother, who had loved playing war games and pretending to die, died when he was six years old. Adolf now faced death for his first time. This must have shook him severely. The boy’s grave was visible from his window.
Hitler was faced with a decision when he had to choose between attending the classical or technical school. He was forced by his father to attend technical school because he wanted him to become an official like him. Hitler was the oldest student in his class when he began his second-year. He had an advantage. This time he took the lead in the after-school game. This was also the time when he became interested in German Nationalism.
Adolf Hitler liked to sing Deutchland Uber Alles, the German national song, in order to mock the Austrian Monarchy. In spite of his father’s constant loyalty to Hapsburg Monarchy he may have unknowingly encouraged his rebellious child to show loyalty to German Kaiser. He was also inspired by the stories told at school about Bismark, Frederick the Great and other German heroes. German nationalism quickly became a obsession.
Hitler was 12 when he saw his first operetta. He became enthralled by the German music, Pagan legends, stories of ancient Kings and Knights as well as their battles with hated enemies. He took out many books on German mythology and history. After Wagners Rienzi he behaved like a man possessed. He led a friend up to a steep incline where he spoke with a strange accent about a mission that would see him lead the nation to freedom.
Hitlers father passed away suddenly in 1903 from a pulmonary hemorrhage. His thirteen-year-old son was left as the head of household. Adolf cried and wept when he saw the body of his father. Hitler, however, was able to pull off a few pranks with his friends and teachers because they were not interested in disciplining him and there was no threat from home. His teachers wanted him to be expelled from school for the troubles he had caused. He demanded that his fellow students submit to him, believing himself as the leader. While doing so, he also indulged in a number of less innocent jokes. Later, a teacher said. He decided to drop out of school and self-teach. He read a lot and then interpreted it on his own. Living in his own fantasy-like world, he created his own truth. Later, he would describe his teenage years as the most happy of his life.
Hitler was now adamantly proud of his German heritage and everything German. He also had a deep hatred for the Hapsburg Monarchy, the non-Germanic races within the Austro-Hungarian multicultural empire and the Hapsburg Monarchy. He studied the philosophy of Nietzsche as well as Hegel, Fitche and Treitschke. Hitler borrowed bits and piece of ideas and crafted a mixture that included racist, antisemitic, nationalistic and anti-Semitic views. Mein Kampf described this combination as a diehard philosophy. In addition, he developed a brutal, survivalist mindset that did not allow for any consideration of compassion or kindness. Hitler was also introduced to Liebenfels’ ideas during this period. He published periodicals which proclaimed that Aryans were superior to other races and especially Jews.
Hitlers mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. He was reluctant to leave his mother, but his ambition to be a great painter overcame that. He returned home after his test drawings had been deemed inadequate. Klara endured her pain with dignity, but Adolf could not. She died soon after. He blamed the treatment of her Jewish doctor. Hitler would be eating charity soups and sleeping on park bench soon. In Vienna, he also developed many of his political and racial ideas that would have a profound impact on the world.
After attending a large workers protest march, he studied the politics and ideology of the socialist party. He became aware of the ability to use fear and propaganda as a political weapon. The middle class also embraced anti-Semitism. He included anti-Semitic ideas into his political program. Hitler admired the Mayor’s ability to speak and use propaganda as a tool for gaining public appeal. He carefully copied some of the behavior he observed in this man.
I met an apparition dressed in black with hait black locks. Is it a Jewbut, as I studied the features of this foreigner, my initial question began to change: Is it a German. Hitler quoted a quote and added that the more he saw them, the more clearly they were distinguished from the rest in his eyes. Hitler had left Vienna in his early twenties to avoid military service with the Austrian army. A large crowd gathered on August 1, 1914 in Munich to celebrate Germany’s declaration of war. Hitler volunteered two days after the proclamation of war. Adolf was in a state of shock when he heard about the war. He bowed to the ground and thanked god for his life.
He joined the German Workers Party after the war with a few other nationalist veterans. In 1920, the National Socialist German Workers, otherwise known as Nazi, Party was formed. Hitler became the official chairman of the party in 1921.
Hitler was described by a friend as being violent and high-strung. Hitler would not accept criticism from anyone but his closest friend. Also, his personality became increasingly volatile and he had an awful temper. Hitler would tell his top Generals about his schoolboy antics, even while waging world wars. Hitler would also have sudden bursts or inspiration. Although he had many good ideas, he never finished them.
Many historians agree that Hitler’s mental distress was caused in part by his unhappy childhood, and in particular his relationship to his father. Hitler’s mother was also a source of great affection. Hitler’s experiences instilled his antisemitism.
