Adolf Hitler (April 20, 1889 – May 17, 1951) was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the Nationalist Party (German: Deutschnationale Volkspartei (DNVP); German National People's Party). He was chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1951 and dictator of Germany from 1934 to 1951. Hitler was at the centre of war era Germany, World War II in Europe, and the early Cold War.