Adolf Hitler was born in 1889 in Austria and showed early academic promise but was rejected from art school twice. He joined the German Workers' Party in 1919 and helped transform it into the Nazi Party. As leader he rose to power in 1933 becoming Chancellor of Germany and established a fascist dictatorship. He abolished democracy and made the Nazi Party the only legal party. Hitler pursued aggressive expansionist policies, invading countries in Europe and sparking World War II. He committed suicide in 1945 as Allied forces advanced on Berlin and Germany surrendered, ending his regime.