what were Hitler's goals? (6)
reunite german speakers
rearm the country
extra land and space (lebensraum)
abolish treaty of versailles
end communism in USSR
get rid of jews in europe
when did hitler make a non-aggression pact with poland?
1934
when was conscription reintroduced?
1935
why did hitler think he could get away with increasing his military?
other european powers were increasing their armies (many to stop unemployment)
why did britain have sympathy with german rearmament?
felt treaty was too harsh in 1919
wanted strong germany against russian expansion (communism)
what is the stresa front?
1935 alliance between britain, france and italy to condemn germany, but took no action
why did many german people like hitlers aims?
didn't like the treaty of versailles (diktat)
would feel more safe with a military
when was the anglo-german naval agreement and when was it signed?
signed in june 1935
germany could build 35
of british naval strength
could build 100
submarine strength of commonwealth
why was german rearmament popular with german people?
more jobs after walk street crash
breaks treaty of versailles
what type of training did hitler use in 1935?
blitzkrieg (lightning war)
what was the saar plebiscite? when was it?
january 1935
industrial area given to france under treaty of versailles
exploited for natural resources for 15 years
vote held to see if german people wanted it returned to german control
90
wanted german control
what did results of the saar plebiscite show for hitler?
support for hitler
support for breaking of treaty of versailles
when was the rhineland remilitarised?
1936, breaching treaty of versailles and locarno pact
why did germany decide to remilitarise the rhineland?
britain and france distracted by events in abyssinia
sanctions imposed on italy confirmed end of stress front
why was the remilitarisation of the rhineland significant?
many historians view this as the last opportunity the allies had to stop hitler without going to war
why didn't britain and france act against the reoccupation of the rhineland?
france wouldn't act without britain
britain wasn't in a realistic position to fight (wall street crash)
many people felt german action was reasonable
people weren't prepared to die over the issue
when and why was the rhineland demilitarised?
1919 because of the treaty of versailles
why did hitler think he could continue his aggressive policy after the reoccupation of the rhineland?
britain and france not willing to act against an aggressor unless directly threatened
what was a saying about germany remilitarising the rhineland?
germany was walking into her own back yard
what did the remilitarisation of the rhineland confirm about the league of nations?
the league was dead
confirming what manchuria and abyssinia had shown (the league would not halt an aggressor)
what would have happened if hitler was challenged at the rhineland?
he would have retreated
slowed down foreign policy goals
probably wouldn't have given up on goals
what is a foreign policy?
policy regarding issues with foreign countries
what is a domestic policy?
affairs within a country/at home
what happened when hitler tried to seize austria in 1934?
mussolini opposed him
moved 100,000 troops to austrian border
why did hitler like/want to prolong the spanish civil war?
trouble in spain diverted western powers attention
victory for franco would surround france with anti-democratic powers
what did hitler use the spanish civil war for?
test use of aerial bombing
alarming to britain and france who aren't prepared
what was the rome-berlin axis? when was it formed?
formed in 1936
claimed the world hinges on axis based on the two capitals
what was the anti-comintern pact? when was it signed?
1936
pledge against communism with germany and japan
italy joined in 1937
what was the hossbach conference? when was it?
november 1937
secret meeting where hitler outlined need to invade austria and czechoslovakia to his generals
what successes had hitler's foreign policy achieved in 1938?
anti-aggression pact with poland (1934)
dived france from allies
rearmed army and air force
anglo-german naval pact
high status in germany after breaking treaty of versailles and locarno treaty
what was the anschluss (1938)?
germany taking over austria
why was there no international opposition to the 1938 anschluss?
hitler claimed he had saved austria from disorder
justified on grounds of nationalism
mussolini didn't act because of rome-berlin axis
britain and france didn't want to start a war
what did the anschluss do for germany?
gave gateway to the balkans, threatening czechoslovakia from 3 directions
germany gained material resources and manpower from austria
what did the anschluss reinforce about britain and france?
they would not act against hitler unless directly threatened
why was the invasion of the anschluss significant?
stepping stone to creating a greater germany
first time he couldn't blame actions of the treaty of versailles