Hitler's Foreign Policy and Events Leading to WWII

TIMELINE OF HITLER’S FOREIGN POLICY (1933-1939)

  • 1933:

    • Hitler seizes power in Germany.

    • Germany withdraws from the World Disarmament Conference.

    • Germany withdraws from the League of Nations.

  • 1934:

    • Hitler orders rearmament and instructs the army to prepare for war.

    • Signs strategic bi-lateral Non-Aggression pact with Poland.

  • 1935:

    • Germany reintroduces conscription to the army.

    • Anglo-German Naval Agreement is agreed.

    • The Saar is returned to Germany after a Plebiscite.

  • 1936:

    • Germany remilitarises the Rhineland.

    • The Rome-Berlin Axis is agreed.

  • 1938:

    • Germany invades Austria (Anschluss).

    • The Sudetenland Crisis.

    • The Munich Agreement.

  • 1939:

    • Germany occupies the whole of Czechoslovakia.

    • Nazi-Soviet Pact is agreed.

    • Germany invades Poland, marking the start of the Second World War.

GERMANY’S REACTION TO THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES

  • Harsh terms led to widespread outrage among Germans; they felt humiliated and treated unfairly.

  • The inability to negotiate terms fostered resentment, leading to calls for revenge and the rise of the Nazi party.

  • Politicians who signed the treaty were labeled "November Criminals" for supposedly betraying the nation.

AIMS OF HITLER’S FOREIGN POLICY

  • Reverse the Treaty of Versailles.

  • Restore Germany as a great power.

  • Unite all German-speaking peoples.

  • Rearm Germany and regain lost territories.

  • Conquer Eastern territory for Lebensraum (living space).

  • Influenced by:

    1. Master Race: Aryans as superior.

    2. Pan-German Nationalism: Belief in unification of all German-speaking people.

    3. Militarism: Preference for military solutions.

    4. Social Darwinism: Stronger nations dominate weaker ones.

GERMAN REARMAMENT

  • Claimed Treaty of Versailles was unjust; rearmament began in 1933.

  • In 1935, Germany reintroduced conscription and increased military production, including tanks and planes.

  • The Rhineland was remilitarized in 1936, violating the treaty; the League of Nations failed to respond effectively.

THE SAAR PLEBISCITE (1935)

  • Saar region was administered by the League after WWI; 90% voted for reunification with Germany in plebiscite, seen as a major victory for Hitler.

THE REMILITARISATION OF THE RHINELAND (1936)

  • Rhineland was demilitarized under the Treaty of Versailles to prevent attacks on France.

  • Hitler took advantage of the League's inaction and remilitarized; if challenged, he was prepared to withdraw.

THE ANSCHLUSS WITH AUSTRIA (1938)

  • Union with Austria was forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles.

  • Hitler ordered troops in after Austrian Nazis caused unrest; 99.75% voted for reunification in a plebiscite.

THE SUDENTENLAND CRISIS (1938)

  • Hitler demanded territory from Czechoslovakia; the Sudetenland housed 3 million German speakers.

  • Czechoslovakia had a strong military, leading to tensions and calls for international intervention.

THE MUNICH AGREEMENT (1938)

  • Meeting of Britain, France, Italy, and Germany without Czechoslovakia; UK’s Chamberlain pursued appeasement by conceding the Sudetenland.

  • This revitalized Hitler’s confidence and led to further demands.

THE INVASION OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA (1939)

  • Czechoslovakia lost its defenses post-Munich; Hitler moved to occupy the entire country amidst internal chaos, breaking promises.

THE PACT OF STEEL (1939)

  • Alliance between Germany and Italy, anticipating war; hoping for mutual aid and joint strategies.

THE NAZI-SOVIET PACT (1939)

  • Agreement with the Soviet Union to divide Poland in secret; aimed at preventing a two-front war.

THE INVASION OF POLAND (1939)

  • Marked the start of WWII after Hitler issued a military order; Germany and Soviet Union were poised against Poland from their divided interests.

GLOSSARY

  • Appeasement: Satisfying demands to maintain peace.

  • Lebenstraum: Living space for Germans in Eastern Europe.

  • Rearmament: Military buildup exceeding treaty limitations.

  • Totalitarianism: Political system where the state has total control over society.

  • Plebiscite: Vote to decide a particular issue, such as joining a country.