Though Austrian, Hitler applies and is accepted to serve in the German army.
The swastika had a history associated with the Hindu, Buddhist, and other religions almost 5000 years before it was adopted as the symbol of the Nazi Party. Swastika is derived from the Sanskrit word svastika, meaning good fortune. In the late 19th century, famous archeologist Heinrich Schliemann found the symbol on ancient German pottery and theorized that the swastika was a significant religious symbol of early Germans. At the beginning of the 20th century, the motif had a resurgence throughout Europe and symbolized good luck. However, the Nazis took Schliemann's theory about the symbol and twisted it into the symbol of German nationalism.
Beginning early in 1921, Hitler began making public speeches and campaigning for supporters of the German Workers' Party which became the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi Party) in February 1920 with Anton Drexler as a founder and Chairman of the party. In 1921, Hitler gained popularity among the party's supporters and experienced an unexpected revolt by party leadership and founders. Hilter resigned form the party, but without his participation, the party grew less popular. Seeing the rapid decline of the party overall, Hitler agreed to return as chairman, replacing Drexler. By July 29th, 1921, Hitler was introduced as the Führer of the Nazi Party following a vote by the executive committee party members.
