Adolf Hitler’s Lifetime Hitler's background was not a very privileged one. Born in Austria near the German border in Braunau to a lowly customs official and a former maid he had a childhood which was dominated by his overbearing and often violent father. On his father's death though he was able to became act more freely. From an educational point of view Hitler was no genius as party members would later claim, he achieved nothing more than poor to mediocre marks in most classes at secondary school. He was however inspired by a nationalist history teacher called Dr. Leonard Poetsch, who was a through German nationalist. On leaving school he went to Vienna to apply to the Viennese School of Fine Arts, however he failed the entrance exam twice and was also rejected by the Architectural school. This was the start of a change in Hitler's outlook on life, he now began to see enemies in people and institutions around him because of these rejections. Also there can be no doubt that he was heavily influenced by the strong Anti-Semitic feelings in Vienna at this time. It was also during his time in Vienna that he began to read many books. However his reading was highly selective, and he only read what supported his forming ideas. Undoubtedly he read some of the authors already discussed such as Chamberlain, Nietzche, and Lanz von Liebenfels as well as many authors in favour of a pan-Germany. These increased his belief in the völkisch movement, and created a synthesis in Hitler's mind between a large German empire and a pure German Volk. The First World War was for Hitler a turning point in his life. He managed to join Bavarian infantry regiment, and became a runner. He also won the Iron Cross, and was gassed twice. It was here however that Hitler found a place to belong, he enjoyed the order and structure which the military brought to his life. When news reached Hitler convalescing from a Gas attack, about the German capitulation he was devastated by it,