Did Hitler have a master plan for his foreign policy?

Question 1

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻: Who did Hitler keep which suggests long-term planning?

Answer 1

Until 1936, Hitler kept many Weimar foreign ministry officials from before he came to power. This could suggest long-term planning. His plan was to seem more moderate and thus be able to gain greater control of Germany.

Question 2

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 (𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻): However, keeping foreign ministry officials could also show what?

Answer 2

Shows that he had no master plan and did not interfere/pose a foreign policy plan when he cane to power.

Question 3

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻: Territorial expansion

Answer 3

Nazi land gains between 1935 and 1939 are consistent with Hitler’s ideas expressed in Mein Kampf, such as the policy of lebensraum and overturning the Treaty of Versailles.

Question 4

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 (𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻): Territorial expansion

Answer 4

However, policies such as eastward expansion could be argued to be simply broad aims rather than a master plan which he began to follow when he came to power.

Question 5

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻: Anschluss with Austria

Answer 5

The Nazis planned for each foreign policy move such as Anschluss with Austria.

Question 6

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 (𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻): Anschluss with Austria

Answer 6

Alternatively, it could be argued that Nazi takeover of Austria happened earlier than Hitler planned due to the actions of Austrian Nazis. While the move may have been planned, the Nazis took advantage of the circumstances of March 1938.

Question 7

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 for his foreign policy before 1933, which he pursued when he came to power in January 1933: Mein Kampf (1925) and Zwites Buch (1928)

Answer 7

Hitler’s publications e.g Mein Kampf outlined his foreign policy aims which Hitler made reality after 1933. This included uniting German-speaking people; creating a lebensraum by expanding eastwards; and overturning the Treaty of Versailles.

Question 8

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻: To fulfil his foreign policy plan outlined before 1933 what did Hitler do?

Answer 8

Systematically prepare Germany for war.

Question 9

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻: What kind of policy did Hitler seem to follow?

Answer 9

Hitler followed a seemingly programmatic policy of German expansion in the east, by taking over Austria, the Sudetenland and Czechoslovakia and Poland.

Question 10

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻: What did Hitler envisage in Mein Kampf?

Answer 10

In Mein Kampf, Hitler envisaged an alliance with Britain and Italy and made several attempts to secure one e.g in 1936, he sent von Ribbentrop to Britain with the aim of securing an agreement, demonstrating evidence of long-term planning.

Question 11

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻: From his appointment as chancellor in January 1933, what did Hitler begin to do that could suggest long term planning?

Answer 11

Began to reverse the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

• 1935 rearmament
• 1935 Naval agreement with Britain (35% the size of Britain’s)
• 1936 Remilitarisation of the Rhineland
• 1938 Anschluss with Austria

Question 12

After the removal of von Blomberg and Fritsch, what did Hitler do?

Answer 12

Acted decisively to make himself commander in chief of the armed forces - his dominance over the military was complete.

Question 13

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻: Further evidence which suggests that Hitler prepared Germany for war to fulfil his long-term plans?

Answer 13

• Four Year Plan (1936-1939) - geared at developing a war economy
• 1937 Hossbach Conference - outlined three war scenarios

Question 14

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻: Further evidence which suggest that Hitler pursued his foreign policy outlined in Mein Kampf?

Answer 14

• Alliance with Italy: 1936 Rome-Berlin Axis, 1939 Pact of Steel
• October 1st 1938: Took over the Sudetenland (3.5 million German-speaking people)
• March 1939: Invasion of Czechoslovakia
• September 1st 1939: Invasion of Poland

Question 15

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 (𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻), Hitler’s foreign policy was influenced by external factors, which led him to act opportunistically: How did Hitler follow and opportunistic foreign policy?

Answer 15

Took advantage of international situations to guide his policy e.g the timings of Anschluss in Austria in March 1938 was driven by the activities of the Austrian Nazis, as well as Italy’s preoccupation with the Spanish Civil War and domestic problems in Britain and France (such as the resignation of British foreign secretary Anthony Eden).

Question 16

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 (𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻): Example of Hitler adapting his foreign policy in response to Germany’s international position and strength at the time?

Answer 16

In Mein Kampf, Hitler claimed that Poland would serve as the gateway to creating lebensraum in the east. Instead, in January 1934, Hitler negotiated the Polish-German non-aggression pact to secure its eastern borders while the country developed militarily.

Question 17

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 (𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻): Mein Kampf argument

Answer 17

Mein Kampf did not put forward a programme for the Nazi’s future foreign policy. At most, it was a series of broad aims and ideas.

Question 18

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 (𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻): Example of external factors preventing Hitler from carrying out his ambitions outlined in Mein Kampf?

Answer 18

Despite devising a military plan to “smash Czechoslovakia by military action” in May 1938, Hitler delayed his invasion and settled for the Munich agreement in September 1938 in response to: Mussolini’s unwillingness to provide military support; the threat of a military response from Britain and France.

Question 19

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 (𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻): When Hitler first came to power, what was not changed?

Answer 19

When Hitler first came to power, German foreign polecat was not immediately changed - he kept most of the foreign policy officials like Konstantin von Neurath until 1938.

Question 20

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 (𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻): Evidence of von Ribbentrop having influence rather than Hitler

Answer 20

• Von Ribbentrop who acted as an alternate foreign minister to von Neurath, negotiated the Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939. He said this pact was “my very own ideas which I urged on Hitler”.
• In 1943, Goering remarked that “this war is Ribbentrop’s war.”

Question 21

When did Goering remark that “this war is Ribbentrop’s war.”?

Answer 21

1943

Question 22

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 (𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻): What did Goering push Hitler to be?

Answer 22

Goering pushed Hitler to be more aggressive and take Austria by force rather than diplomacy. Goering even told the tribunals at Nuremberg, “It was less the Führer than I myself who set the pace.”

Question 23

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻: Although von Ribbentrop had influence, evidence that Hitler still had a master plan. How?

Answer 23

Von Ribbentrop’s suggestions are only acceptable when they were compatible with Hitler’s personal vision.

Question 24

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 (𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻): How did the German army influence Hitler’s foreign policy?

Answer 24

The German army (the Wehrmacht) also wanted to reverse the Treaty of Versailles but they did thank Hitler was moving too fast.

Question 25

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 (𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻): What happened with von Blomberg and von Fritsch at the Hossbach Conference and what resulted from this?

Answer 25

They had sharp exchanges with Hitler. Within a year, they were removed from office. Evidence suggests it was Goering and Himmler who manipulated Hitler into firing them.

Question 26

Further evidence that Hitler acted opportunistically with regards to his foreign policy, responding to external events and delaying his plans outlined in Mein Kampf:

Answer 26

• Took advantage of the weakness of the League of Nations
• Remilitarisation of the Rhineland (1936) in response to Italy’s aggression (Abyssinian crisis) and therefore diverted attention of the West e.g Britain, France.
• Munich Agreement - Hitler chose to sign agreement and not invade Czechoslovakia in response to Mussolini’s lack of support.
• Appeasement e.g Britain Anglo-Naval Treaty - took advantage of Britain and France’s lack of intervention in his foreign policy e.g gave him the confidence to invade Czechoslovakia in March 1939.

Question 27

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻: Quote from Mein Kampf to show he needs to make sure the Aryan race survives

Answer 27

“The foreign policy of a folkish state must first of bear in mind the obligation to secure the existence of the race incorporated in this state.”

Question 28

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻: Quote from Mein Kampf to show his aim of creating Lebensraum

Answer 28

“Only a sufficiently large space on this earth can ensure the independent existence of a nation…”

Question 29

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻: Quote from Mein Kampf to show his aim of creating Lebensraum/unification

Answer 29

“The Nationalist Socialist movement must seek to eliminate the present disastrous imbalance between our population and the area of our national territory.”

Question 30

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻: Quote from Mein Kampf to show his aim of overturning the T of V

Answer 30

“it ought to strive to eliminate the contrast between our past history and the hopelessness of our present political impotence…”

Question 31

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻: Quote from Mein Kampf to show he wanted to expand pre-1914 borders.

Answer 31

“The demand for the restoration of the frontiers 1914 is a political absurdity…as to make it appear a crime.”

Question 32

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻: Quote from Mein Kampf to show he wanted strategic alliances with Britain and Italy

Answer 32

“If we look round for European allies from this point of view, only two states remain: England and Italy…”

Question 33

Historians have argued about the nature of foreign policy - what are the two viewpoints?

Answer 33

• It was derived directly from a coherent long-term plan personally engineered by Hitler and followed with logical, precise consistency to its inevitable military conclusion.
• Hitler was an opportunist who acted unguided, instead pragmatically reacting to changing circumstances.

Question 34

Statement that Hitler was a master planner

Answer 34

Hitler was realising a foreign policy programme based on the ideological conceptions set out in Mein Kampf.

Question 35

Statement that Hitler was an opportunistic gambler

Answer 35

Hitler did not have a premeditated plan: he lacked a clear plan and was essentially an opportunist.

Question 36

Mein Kampf and Zwites Buch –

Answer 36

outlined Hitler’s foreign policy aims and set out his stufenplan which he made a reality after 1939 (overturning the ToV, uniting German people etc…)

Question 37

INTENTIONALIST: Hitler followed a programmatic policy of expansion into Austria, the Sudetenland and Czechoslovakia

Answer 37

BUT Hitler had to back down over Austria in 1934 – he was only able to unite with Austria after securing Italian support
* USA’s isolationism and the Neutrality Pact made Hitler’s master plan possible
* Anglo-German Naval Agreement convinced Hitler expansion was possible
* Appeasement of GB and FR encouraged Hitler

(STUCTURALIST)

Question 38

INTENTIONALIST: Hitler had a four year plan for war that put militarisation first

Answer 38

BUT he was not planning a long drawn out war, just small local war - was he just rearming for defence as he suggested in a speech to the Reichstag in 1933?

(STUCTURALIST)

Question 39

INTENTIONALIST: Hitler left the Disarmament Conference in 1933 and began to rearm openly by 1935 and remilitarised the Rhineland in 1936

Answer 39

BUT the weakness of the League of Nations over Abyssinia in 1935/6 encouraged Hitler to rearm – he felt confident GB and FR would not intervene.

(STRUCTURALIST)

Question 40

INTENTIONALIST: In 1936 Hitler sent von Ribbentrop to Britain to negotiate an agreement with them (something he had outlined in Mein Kampf)

Answer 40

No structuralist

Question 41

INTENTIONALIST: Hossbach Conference 1937 outlined 3 war scenarios – but after 1943 as well as the destruction of Czechoslovakia by 1945

Answer 41

BUT this suggests Hitler had not intended war in 1939.

(STRUCTURALIST)

Question 42

INTENTIONALIST: By 1939 Germany had 103 infantry divisions and 2000 fighter planes

Answer 42

BUT did this mean he just wanted expansion rather than war?

(STRUCTURALIST)

Question 43

INTENTIONALIST: Hitler annexed Czechoslovakia in 1939 despite promises he would not at Munich. He broke the Munich Agreement of 1938

Answer 43

BUT appeasement encouraged Hitler – he had been allowed the Sudetenland in 1938.

(STRUCTURALIST)