Admiral Donitz succeeded Hitler as the leader of Germany in 1945. After Hitler's death on April 30, 1945, Donitz was appointed as the new head of state by Hitler's last will and testament. Donitz served as the President of Germany for a brief period of time until the country's surrender to the Allied forces on May 7, 1945.

During his time in power, Donitz attempted to negotiate a separate peace agreement with the Western Allies in order to continue the fight against the Soviet Union. However, these attempts were unsuccessful and Germany ultimately surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, ending World War II in Europe.

Admiral Donitz is often remembered for his role as the commander of the German U-boat fleet during the war. He was responsible for implementing the strategy of unrestricted submarine warfare, which targeted Allied merchant ships and played a significant role in the Battle of the Atlantic.

After Germany's surrender, Donitz was captured by the Allies and was later tried at the Nuremberg Trials for war crimes and crimes against humanity. He was found guilty of multiple charges and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Donitz served his sentence and was released in 1956.

Overall, Admiral Donitz's brief tenure as the leader of Germany marked the end of the Nazi regime and the beginning of the country's post-war reconstruction. Despite his controversial actions during the war, Donitz played a significant role in the history of Germany and World War II.

In conclusion, Admiral Donitz succeeded Hitler as the leader of Germany in 1945, following Hitler's death and the country's surrender to the Allied forces. His time in power was short-lived, but his actions during the war and his subsequent trial at the Nuremberg Trials have left a lasting impact on history.

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