Adolf Hitler

Austrian-German politician who became the Dictator of Germany in 1933, retaining power until 1945. He gained political character and purpose in WW I, joining the Worker's Party after the war was over. He was appointed Chancellor in January 1930 and quickly rose to power, becoming Fuhrer of the resurgent National Socialist Party by the fall of 1931. He became Reich chancellor, his first political office, in 1933 and by 1939, over-ran Europe. His infamous dictatorship, lasting for only 13 years, created a permanent shift in world politics and was directly responsible for the death of over 30 million people.