Causes of WW2 Flashcards
What is the evidence of Nazi foreign policy being a continuation of the past?
From the late 19th century, those on the far right in Germany such as the Pan-German League had argued for ‘living space’
Hitler, like the Second Reich, aimed to make Germany the most powerful nation in the continent. Von Bulow Chancellor 1900-09 advocated an aggressive foreign policy.
Hitler even followed some WG policies like overturning the ToV diplomatically - Dawes Plan revised reparation payment.
What evidence is there that Nazi foreign policy was a break from the past?
Race was never the driving force behind any other German regimes.
An aggressive foreign policy was so key to the Nazis that many other areas outside of foreign policy were targeted towards preparing for war. Economy - four year plan, autarky. Education - preparing boys to be soldiers.
How could you counter the evidence of similarities between Nazi Germany and previous regimes?
Developing an empire is a very vague ambition followed by many nations.
The idea of making yourself stronger in relation to other countries is an ambition ever country would have.
Hitler and the Nazis were significantly more aggressive in achieving their foreign policy aims - Austria, Czech and Poland 1933-39 compared to no land gained 1872-1914.
What evidence is there that Hitler had a masterplan for his foreign policy before 1933?
Publications such as Mein Kampf(1925) and Zwites(1928) Buch outlined his foreign policy aims which he made reality after 1933. Uniting German speaking people and creating Lebensraum by expanding eastwards.
In Mein Kampf, he envisaged an alliance with Britain and Italy and made several attempts to secure one. In 1936, he sent Von Ribbentrop to Britain with the aim of securing an agreement.
Began to reverse the ToV when he came into power. 1935 rearmament, 1936 naval agreement with Britain, Rhineland 1936, Anschluss 1938.
What evidence is there that Hitler acted opportunistically with his foreign policy?
Mein Kampf did not put forward a programme. At most it was a series of ideas/aims.
He adapted to Germany’s position at the time. Despite envisaging Poland as a gateway to attacking the Soviets, he signed the Polish-German non aggression pact in 1934.
Von Ribbentrop, foreign minister, negotiated the Nazi Soviet Pact of 1939 which had to be urged on Hitler. Goering in 1943 stated that ‘this war is Ribbentrop’s war’.
Policy of appeasement gave Hitler the confidence to invade Czech.
What evidence is there that Hitler intended a world war when he invaded Poland in 1939?
Hitler decided to invade Poland despite the British and French signing the Polish guarantee in 1939.
Germany was openly rearming since 1935. An army of 550,000 was set up and the Luftwaffe was announced.
By 1939 Germany had 103 infantry divisions, 2000 fighter plains and 3000 tanks.
What evidence is there to show that Hitler did not intend a world war when invading Poland in 1939?
The Hossbach Conference in 1937 stated that Germany would not be ready for war until943.
Hitler’s Anschluss with Austria and invasion of Czechoslovakia met little resistance. This gave him the confidence to invade Poland without opposition.
Germany had a shortage of raw materials by 1939 and food supply and quality had worsened.
What evidence is there to show that other nations were instrumental to the outbreak of WW2?
The weakness of the LoN to protect its members. Lack of intervention when Hitler invaded Austria and Czech gave Hitler confidence.
The USSR was isolated from the west, not invited to the Munich agreement, which encouraged an alliance between Germany and the Soviets.
France’s appeasement policy. France was weak, had lost a quarter of its young men, 18-27, also 11 governments between 1932 and 1935.
The USA followed a policy of isolationism in the 20s and 30s which encouraged Hitler to go to war.
