1. Norway
   Austria
2. France

Hitler was born in Austria-Hungary in 1889. His rise to political power was meteoric … a disheartening reminder of the dark side of humanity.

1. He was granted deferment due to mental instability.
   He dodged the draft and went to Canada.
2. He served in the Bavarian Army.

Hitler served in the Bavarian Army during WWI. He was in the infantry and served during multiple battles in the war.

1. He never fought and mostly did paperwork.
   He was decorated for valor.
2. He deserted his unit.

Hitler was on the front lines of WWI battles, as fanatical in combat as he was later at a podium. He was decorated for his courage in fire fights and when he was wounded at the Battle of the Somme, he pleaded with his commanders to let him remain where the bullets were flying.

1. British citizens
   Jews
2. Americans

Hitler was never shy about his anti-Semitism. His disdain for Jews carried over into his incredible political rise.

1. He tried to assassinate the French president.
   He was livid about the Treaty of Versailles.
2. He was indifferent.

The 1919 Treaty of Versailles levied huge reparations on Germany and forced the country to accept responsibility for starting the war. Hitler was left fuming … and set out to right what he saw as an unbearable wrong.

1. Gerrman Workers' Party
   a group working to create free elections
2. a beer brewing club

In 1919, Hitler joined the Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, the German Workers' Party. But he wasn't there to support the group. He was there to spy on its members for the military.

1. bullying
   marksmanship
2. public speaking

Hitler was not shy when speaking about his political beliefs, and he was exceptionally silver-tongued. His ferocious public speaking abilities served him well in his career.

1. He had no civilian skills.
   He wanted to become an artillery officer.
2. He liked uniforms more than anything.

Hitler practically begged to remain in the army as long as possible. He had no useful skills for the civilian world -- the army gave him purpose, and a paycheck.

1. He never actually went to any meetings.
   He was arrested for treason.
2. He fell in love with the party's ideals.

Hitler's mission was to infiltrate the German Workers' Party. Instead, he loved their nationalistic political leanings and anti-Semitic ideals, a perfect match for Hitler's own warped convictions.

1. the Nazi Party
   the Tea Party
2. the Pizza Party

The German Workers' Party didn't last long. It was a predecessor to the Nazi Party, which left an indelible impression on all of humankind.

1. a plan to convert religious types to atheism
   a rehab program for Communists
2. a plan to overhaul Germany

As the fledgling German Workers' Party morphed into the Nazi Party, its members unveiled an infamous Twenty-Five Point Program. The 25 points highlight changes they felt were necessary to save Germany.

1. a coup
   to declare his own country
2. to attempt an assassination

In November 1923, Hitler and his comrades launched a coup attempt. It became known as the Beer Hall Putsch.

1. It failed.
   It seized power for three months.
2. It helped the Nazi Party immediately take control of all Germany.

Hitler's timing was wrong. People died, the coup failed … and he was jailed.

1. true
2. false

Hitler left a mark as a graphic designer. He devised the iconic swastika banner that became the Nazi Party's flag. As the Third Reich rose, so did its many flags bearing Hitler's symbolism

1. He was exiled.
   He was given a five-year prison sentence.
2. He was hanged.

Hitler was given a five-year prison sentence for leading the Putsch. But he was pardoned after less than a year.

1. He wrote a book.
   He became a lawyer.
2. He worked out a lot and got huge biceps.

Hitler got preferential treatment in prison after his high-profile trial. He even had a personal secretary. While behind bars, he wrote "Mein Kampf" ("My Struggle") in which he highlighted his proposals for changing Germany.

1. He must do so using the established democratic system.
   He must do so through assassinations and arson.
2. He must do so through bribery.

His failed coup was a disaster. Hitler decided that his only option was to use the democratic system to his advantage, by altering it from within.

1. not well
   The party got the same number of votes as the other major candidates.
2. The party got an incredible number of votes.

The Nazi Party's attempts to win elections failed the first couple of years, capturing only a tiny percentage of votes. But in 1929 and 1930, the Nazis won seats in the government. And the true race to power was on.

1. The Roaring 20s
   Great Depression
2. Prohibition

The Great Depression wrecked the German economy. By the early '30s, Germans were desperate for an outspoken leader with the iron will to help them out of financial misery. And Hitler seemed like just the ticket.

1. British expats
   Hindus
2. communists

As the Nazis gained favor, so too did the communists. And the communists made it clear that they would rather see the Nazis in power than witness the continuation of the current government.

1. The Nazis withdrew their candidacy.
   The Nazis were humiliated.
2. The Nazis won the most seats in the Reichstag.

In 1932, it became clear that the Nazis were a major political force. They won more seats than any other party in the government, and Hitler realized his opportunity was coming.

1. a philosophy
   a paramilitary group
2. a Nazi rock band

The Sturmabteilung -- the SA -- was the paramiltiary group of the Nazi Party. It provided protection during meetings and rallies … and often clashed with supporters of other groups.

1. He wanted to be named chancellor.
   He wanted to be in charge of the treasury.
2. He wanted a personal limo.

Hot on the heels of Nazi election successes, Hitler demanded that he be named chancellor. A long and complicated political game unfolded, as various men vied for the chancellorship. But on January 30, 1933, Hitler finally got his wish, getting a his first taste of real power.

1. growing a bigger mustache
   finding the Ark of Covenant
2. rebuilding the military

Just days into his stint as chancellor, Hitler met with other German bigwigs and began an illegal project: he wanted to rearm the German military. It was a clear breach of the Treaty of Versailles.

1. The fire nearly killed him.
   It gave him free rein to pass extreme political measures.
2. It had no effect.

When a communist tried to burn the Reichstag, Hitler saw an opportunity to seize more power. He ended civil liberties in the country and banned communists.

1. practice his firefighting skills (he always wanted to be a firefighter)
   suppress political competition
2. hold another election

The Reichstag fire was a perfect storm for Hitler. He began banning other political parties, until there was essentially only one remaining -- the Nazi Party.

1. It created anarchy.
   It essentially made him a dictator.
2. It gave some powers back to the Reichstag.

The 1933 Enabling Act cast the Reichstag under the wheels of the Nazi bus and give Hitler dictator-like powers. He was officially on his way to becoming an icon of the 20th century.

1. Otto von Bismark
   Paul von Hindenburg
2. Margaret Thatcher

In 1934, President Hindenburg died, and all power shifted to Hitler. He continued to build Germany's military and in 1939, he invaded Poland, starting the incredible violence of the European Theater of WWII.

1. the internal revenue service
   the dance club
2. the German army

Excited with his military successes in 1940, Hitler officially made himself the German army's commander-in-chief in 1941. But he thought far too highly of his own military brilliance.

1. North Korea
   USSR
2. Vietnam

This turning point cost Hitler his empire. In June 1941, the Nazi leader ordered the start of Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the USSR. This ill-fated expedition began well … and ended in disaster.