Hitler's foreign policy aimed to overturn the Treaty of Versailles.
It sought to unite all German-speaking people.
It aimed to expand German territory (Lebensraum).
Ideology
Based on nationalism.
Rooted in racism, specifically Aryan superiority.
Fueled by anti-communism.
Aims of Hitler’s Foreign Policy
Destroying the Treaty of Versailles:
The treaty symbolized national humiliation for Germany.
It caused economic hardship.
It limited military strength.
It hindered ideological goals of uniting Germans.
Uniting all Germans in one Reich:
This included Austria and Sudetenland.
The goal stemmed from Nazi ideology.
Aimed to create a single, powerful German Reich.
Sought to rule over people in the east.
Expanding eastward for “Living Space” (Lebensraum):
Driven by the concept of Lebensraum.
Necessitated acquiring new territories in Eastern Europe.
Territorial Aggression: The Anschluss
The Anschluss was Germany, under the Nazi regime, forcibly annexing Austria.
It resulted in Austria ceasing to exist as an independent nation.
Austrian and German Nazis implemented Nazi ideology and policies throughout Austria.
This included:
The persecution of Jews.
The adoption of Nazi laws.
Austrian involvement in World War II and the Holocaust.
Munich Agreement and Occupation of Sudetenland
To avoid war threatened by Hitler, Britain, France, and Italy agreed in the 1938 Munich Agreement that Czechoslovakia had to hand over its Sudetenland region (which had many German-speaking people) to Nazi Germany.
Czechoslovakia wasn't involved in the decision but was pressured by Britain and France to accept it.
German soldiers moved into and took control of the Sudetenland.
How Hitler’s Foreign Policy Was Implemented
1933: Left the League of Nations.
1935: Reintroduced conscription and built up the military.
1936: Remilitarized the Rhineland.
1938: Anschluss with Austria.
1938: Munich Agreement and occupation of Sudetenland.
1939: Took over all of Czechoslovakia.
1939: Nazi-Soviet Pact and invasion of Poland.
Why It Led To War
Violated international agreements, increasing tensions with entities like the League of Nations and through breaches of the Treaty of Versailles.
Aggressive expansion made countries like Britain and France feel threatened.
The invasion of Poland in 1939 directly triggered war when Britain and France declared war on Germany.
Should Hitler’s Foreign Policy Be Blamed?
Yes, it should be blamed because it was aggressive.
It violated peace treaties.
It aimed at expansion and domination.
Some Germans felt the Treaty of Versailles was unfair, but the methods used (threats, war) were not justified.
Overall, it is mostly to blame due to its aggressive nature and goal to conquer, which France and Britain felt threatened by.
Conclusion
Hitler’s foreign policy was a key cause of WWII.
It showed clear intentions of expansion, war preparation, and ignoring peace efforts.
The policy directly led to the outbreak of war in 1939.
Citations
“Foreign Policy and the Road to War.” Foreign Policy and the Road to War – The Holocaust Explained: Designed for Schools, www.theholocaustexplained.org/life-in-nazi-occupied-europe/foreign-policy-and-the-road-to-war/. Accessed 8 May 2025.
“Foreign Policy Aims - Hitler’s Foreign Policy - WJEC - GCSE History Revision - WJEC - BBC Bitesize.” BBC News, BBC, 16 Jan. 2023, www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z92hw6f/revision/1.
Wade, Zoe. “Hitler’s Foreign Policy IGCSE - History Notes.” Save My Exams, 17 Sept. 2024, www.savemyexams.com/igcse/history/cie/18/revision-notes/the-20th-century-international-relations-from-1919/was-hitlers-foreign-policy-to-blame-for-the-second-world-war/context-of-the-second-world-war/.