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Adolf Hitler

Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician who led the Nazi Party and ruled Germany as dictator from 1933 until his death in 1945.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician who led the Nazi Party and ruled Germany as dictator from 1933 until his death in 1945. He was a central figure in World War II and the Holocaust, and his regime was responsible for the mass murder of millions of people.

Early life

Adolf Hitler was born in Braunau am Inn, then part of Austria-Hungary, on 20 April 1889. He moved to Germany in 1913 after spending his early years in Austria.

Rise to power

Hitler became leader of the Nazi Party in the early 1920s and was appointed chancellor of Germany in 1933. He then consolidated power and took the title of Führer and Reichskanzler in 1934.

Rule of Nazi Germany

As dictator, Hitler transformed Germany into a totalitarian state and pursued aggressive expansion. His leadership was central to the outbreak of World War II, which began with the invasion of Poland in 1939, and to the Nazi system of persecution and genocide. Under his rule, Nazi Germany carried out the Holocaust, murdering six million Jews and millions of other victims. Hitler ruled until his death by suicide on 30 April 1945.

Ideology and legacy

Hitler’s ideology emphasised racial supremacy, antisemitism, and territorial expansion, set out most prominently in Mein Kampf. He is widely associated with the crimes of the Nazi regime and the destruction caused by the war.

Key facts

  • Hitler was born in Braunau am Inn in Austria-Hungary on 20 April 1889.
  • He became leader of the Nazi Party and was appointed chancellor of Germany in 1933.
  • He ruled Germany as dictator until his death by suicide on 30 April 1945.
  • Hitler’s regime invaded Poland in 1939, which triggered the start of World War II in Europe.
  • Under his leadership, Nazi Germany carried out the Holocaust and murdered six million Jews and millions of other victims.
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Canadian context

Hitler’s regime and the Second World War had major consequences for Canada, including Canadian military involvement in the war and postwar remembrance of the Holocaust.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Adolf Hitler?
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the dictator of Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945.
When did Adolf Hitler die?
He died on 30 April 1945.
How did Adolf Hitler die?
He died by suicide in his bunker in Berlin as Soviet forces approached the city.
What was Adolf Hitler's role in World War II?
He was the leader of Nazi Germany and ordered the invasion of Poland in 1939, an act that helped trigger World War II in Europe.
What is Adolf Hitler's ideology?
His ideology centred on racial supremacy, antisemitism, ultranationalism, and territorial expansion, later formalised in Nazi doctrine.
Where was Adolf Hitler born?
He was born in Braunau am Inn, Austria-Hungary, now in Austria.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Hitler
    Supports: Birth, death, political role, Nazi leadership, World War II, and Holocaust-related background.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Adolf-Hitler
    Supports: Biographical facts, death, role as Nazi leader, WWII context, and ideology themes.
  3. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum — https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/adolf-hitler
    Supports: Birthplace, leadership of Nazi Germany, and Holocaust context.
  4. BBC History — https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/people/adolf_hitler
    Supports: Birthplace, role in WWII, and responsibility for mass deaths.
  5. National WWII Museum — https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/how-did-adolf-hitler-happen
    Supports: Appointment as chancellor, dictatorship, war aims, and ideological goals.
  6. BBC Teach — https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/articles/zbrx8xs
    Supports: Nazi ideology, expansion, racial purification, and authoritarianism.