her races. In addition, Hitler spent his free time reading books. He became a student of warfare. This would later prove to be a valuable asset in World War II.With the outbreak of the Great War in the summer of 1914, Hitler quickly volunteered for service in the German Army. He became a great asset in his infantry. He served valiantly as a messenger on the Western Front, taking part in some of the most bloodiest battles. Adolf was injured twice and was twice decorated for bravery. Adolf gained popularity as a result. When Germany surrendered to the Allies Hitler was in the hospital recovering from a temporary blindness incurred to him by mustard gas. He was deeply distraught by the news of the armistice. He believed that the unity of Germany was threatened and that he must attempt to save his beloved country. This invigorated ambition for power coupled with state of despair and turmoil that Germany was left after the war opened the door for Hitler's rise to power. Hitler gave the impoverished, hunger-stricken Germans a glimpse of hope. He promised a return to the "glory days" when foreign nations paid tribute to Germany. Hitler, the Nationalists, the Communists and others attacked the puppet government established by the Treaty of Versailles. They demanded the punishment for the "criminals" who signed the treaty. Hitler joined a small nationalist party in 1919, called the German Worker's Party which would later be renamed the National Socialist German Workers' Party or the Nazi Party. This group called for the union of all Germans, including the German minorities in countries such as Czechoslovakia. They demanded that citizens of non-German or Jewish origin be deprived of German citizenship. The Nazis also wanted the revocation of the Treaty of Versailles. Due to his extraordinary skill as a politician he quickly became the leader of the Nazi party. Hitler built up the party membership stirring crowds with his spe...
