Did Hitler intend a world war when he invaded Poland in September 1939?

Question 1

Causes of WW2

Answer 1

• German expansion of Third Reich
• Re-armament of Germany by 1935
• Hitler overturning Treaty of Versailles
• Trigger - Germany invade Poland in September 1939
• Anschluss with Austria 1938
• Appeasement policy of Britain and France
• Takeover of Sudetenland (Czechoslovakia) 1938 and 1939
• America was isolationist

Question 2

Intentionalist argument

Answer 2

Hitler and the Nazi’s aims drove the outbreak of war. They intended to go to war e.g Hitler had a masterplan for his foreign policy and for war from the start, which was outlined in Mein Kampf, first published in 1925.

Question 3

Functionalist/structuralist argument

Answer 3

Outside influences were as significant, or if not more so, than Nazi foreign policy in the outbreak of war e.g events in the rest of the world and the intentions and actions of other world leaders had a significant effect on whether the world went to war. Hitler simply took advantage of these circumstances.

Question 4

How did Hitler dismantle the Treaty?

Answer 4

• Hitler left the Disarmament Conference in October 1933 and then from the League of Nations.
• Although Versailles specifically forbade there to be a German military presence in the Rhineland, in March 1936, Hitler sent in 20,000 troops.

Question 5

When did Hitler march into the Rhineland?

Answer 5

March 1936

Question 6

Why was Hitler able to march into the Rhineland?

Answer 6

He was able to use the principle of self-determination that had underpinned the Versailles settlement to legitimate his demands that German-speaking people be returned to the Reich.

Question 7

How did Hitler achieve self-determination?

Answer 7

Through Anschluss with Austria 1938 and for the return of the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia through negotiations during the Munich Conference that same year.

Having defenced the principle in drawing up the borders of the new Europe at Versailles, it was difficult for the Allies to muster support for military action against the Germans.

Question 8

Why was the invasion of Czechoslovakia a military challenge to the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 8

The state of Czechoslovakia itself had been created by the peace settlements of 1919 - the German invasion in March 1939 represented a direct military challenge to the borders created after the First World War.

Question 9

What was the invasion of Poland in 1939 driven by?

Answer 9

The desire to remove the Polish corridor, another creation of the T of V.

Question 10

Outline the Reichs in Germany

Answer 10

• 1st Reich
• 2nd Reich: 1870-1918, Kaiser and chancellors like Bismark
• Weimar Republic 1918-1932
• Third Reich: Nazis

Question 11

When Hitler came to power in 1933 he had a RULE for Germany’s foreign policy. What does RULE stand for?

Answer 11

𝗥earm Germany
𝗨nite all ethnic Germans
𝗟ebensraum
𝗘radicate communism/expansionism

Question 12

Summarise terms of the Treaty of Versailles

Answer 12

• Loss of territory e.g the Polish Corridor ceded to Poland, along with 800,000 Germans
• Disarmament - army reduced to 100,000; conscription was forbidden; Rhineland was demilitarised, no fortifications allowed and no military forces to be garrisoned within the area; no air force; restricted navy
• Guaranteed Austria’s independence - any political union with German-speaking Austria was outlawed
• Reparations sum was fixed at £6600 million
• Establishment of the League of Nations

Question 13

𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗿: Examples of militarisation

Answer 13

By 1939, Hitler had:
* 103 infantry divisions of 15,000-18,000 men
* 3,000 tanks
* 2,000 fighter and bomber planes

Question 14

𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗿: Hitler’s Second Four Year Plan (1936-39)

Answer 14

Had a tight focus on autarky and preparing for war (creating a war economy). Emphasised Germany’s need to put militarisation first and to develop ersatz goods and war materials to make Germany self sufficient so they wouldn’t rely on other countries in wartime.

Question 15

𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗿: What did Hitler tell his Generals that suggests he intended war?

Answer 15

Hitler privately told his Generals that he believed it would be a disaster to provoke a military attack until they had built up their armed forces, but that he DID intend expansion, NOT DEFENCE.

Question 16

𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗿: What must Hitler have known?

Answer 16

That he couldn’t achieve his aim of lebensraum and expansion eastwards without going to war.

Question 17

𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗿: What did Hitler begin to do the moment he came to power?

Answer 17

Build up an army. From 1935 he militarised Germany openly, defying the Treaty of Versailles.

Question 18

𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 (𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗿): What kind of wars do many historians think Hitler was planning?

Answer 18

Many historians examining Hitler’s rearmament programme believe Hitler was planning small, local wars - fought hard and over quickly e.g his Generals developed Blitzkrieg (“lightening”) warfare (tactical aircraft bombings -> tanks -> infantry). He was not planning a long, drawn-out war which a world war was likely to be.

Question 19

𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗿: What speeches did Hitler make?

Answer 19

Hitler made speeches which suggested that he was going to go to war (last speech was in Berlin on September 26th 1938).

Question 20

𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 (𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗿): After Hitler made his last speech suggesting war in Berlin September 26th 1938, what happened 6 months later?

Answer 20

6 months later, he took advantage of disagreements between the regions of Czechoslovakia and invaded to “restore order”.

Question 21

𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 (𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗿): What did Hitler emphasise about Germany’s need for rearmament?

Answer 21

Hitler emphasised Germany’s need to rearm for defence, and the importance of diplomacy e.g in a speech to the Reichstag in 1933, he stressed the hopes of reversing the T of V by diplomacy.

Question 22

𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 (𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗿): What did Hitler appear to believe about Britain and France?

Answer 22

Appeared to believe that Britain and France would not go to war over Eastern Europe. He remilitarised the Rhineland in 1939 and took Austria in 1938 without causing war.

Question 23

𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 (𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗿): What happened at the Munich Conference?

Answer 23

Hitler entered negotiations at the Munich Conference to avert war and signed the Munich Agreement in September 1938. Here, he agreed to stop territorial expansion with the acquisition of the Sudetenland.

Question 24

From 1933-35, what were Hitler’s short term aims?

Answer 24

1. Begin the process of disarmament
2. Avoid war before Germany had completed that process
3. Establish alliances possibly with Britain and Italy

Question 25

What happened on October 14th 1933?

Answer 25

Germany leaves the Disarmament Conference and the League of Nations

Question 26

Germany leaves the Disarmament Conference and the League of Nations

Answer 26

October 14th 1933

Question 27

Germany leaves the Disarmament Conference and the League of Nations: What happened?

Answer 27

1. In 1932, a disarmament conference was held to discuss a revision of the Treaty of Versailles. It was impossible to Rach an agreement on the German principle on “equality”. The Germans walked out in July 1932 (before Hitler was Chancellor) and only agreed to come back to the Conference in January 1933.
2. Hitler was appointed Chancellor on 30th January 1933. For a few months, he put on the facade of being interested in the Disarmament Conference, saying that he still supported “equality”. 𝗛𝗼𝘄𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿, 𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗵𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝗰𝘁 𝟭𝟵𝟯𝟯. Hitler’s pretext for abandoning negotiation was that France refused to allow Germany to have military forces equal to France: this allowed Hitler to depict Germany as the victim, In reality Hitler did not want to sign any agreements that limited the size of the German armed forces.

Question 28

Why did Germany withdraw from the Disarmament Conference in 1933?

Answer 28

• Ostensibly in response to the Western powers’ refusal to meet its demand for equality.
• France refused to allow Germany to have military forces equal to France: this allowed Hitler to depict Germany as the victim, In reality Hitler did not want to sign any agreements that limited the size of the German armed forces.

Question 29

How did Hitler dismantle the Treaty?

Answer 29

• left the Geneva Disarmament Conference, and then the League of Nations
• although Versailles specifically forbade there to be a German military presence in the Rhineland, Hitler sent on troops in March 1936 - using the principle of self determination that had underpinned the Versailles settlement to legitimate his demands that German speaking people be returned to the Reich
• invading Czechoslovakia, represented a direct military challenge to the borders created after First World War
• invasion of Poland in 1939, driven by desire to remove Polish Corridor

Question 30

How did Hitler leaving the Geneva Disarmament Conference in October 1933 help him achieve his aims?

Answer 30

Helps him achieve rearmament.

Enabled Hitler to focus on his policy of rearmament as it made it clear to other European countries this was his aim by leaving.

Question 31

Non-Aggression Pact with Poland

Answer 31

January 1934

Question 32

What happened in January 1934?

Answer 32

Non-Aggression Pact with Poland

Question 33

What was Non-Aggression Pact with Poland in January 1934?

Answer 33

In January 1934 Hitler signed a ten year non-aggression pact with Poland, 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗻𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱.

Question 34

in 1934, what was the only initial setback Hitler faced?

Answer 34

The only initial setback Hitler faced was the assassination of Austrian chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss by Austrian Nazis, which brought widespread international criticism and embarrassment for Hitler and strained relations with Mussolini, the Fascist dictator of Italy. At this stage, Hitler was not prepared to support the actions of the Austrian Nazis.

Question 35

How did the January 1934 Non-Aggression Pact with Poland help Hitler achieve his aims?

Answer 35

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗻𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 - 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁/𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀. Also enabled him to later expand/create Lebensraum without the allies expecting it.

Question 36

What happened in January 1935?

Answer 36

The Saar plebiscite

Question 37

The Saar plebiscite

Answer 37

January 1935

Question 38

What happened in the Saar plebiscite?

Answer 38

1. 1935 saw Hitler successfully challenging the restrictions on Germany created at Versailles. At the peace settlement, it had been agreed that a key coal-rich area of Germany, the Saar, would be controlled by Britain and France under a mandate controlled by the League of Nations. This came into effect in 1920 and was to last 15 years and 𝘀𝗼 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝟭𝟵𝟯𝟱 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗮𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼.
2. The Nazis wanted the area returned to Germany and launched a propaganda campaign to convince the voters to return to German control. 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟵𝟬% 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗮𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿. 𝗛𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗮𝘄. His international standing was further boosted by the fact that he promised that now he had the Saar he would give up any German claim to Alsace Lorraine

Question 39

What percentage of the Saar voted to reunite with Germany?

Answer 39

Over 90%

Question 40

How did the January 1935 Saar plebiscite help Hitler achieve his aims?

Answer 40

Aided Hitler in his aim to unite ethnic Germans who had been separated out of Germany with the new borders.

Question 41

How did Hitler achieve self determination?

Answer 41

Through Anschluss with Austria 1938 and for the return of the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia through negotiations during the Munich Conference in the same year.

Having defended that principle in drawing up the borders of the new Europe at Versailles, it was difficult for the Allies to muster support for military action against the Germans.

Question 42

What is Germanisation?

Answer 42

Spreading racial ideas in German controlled lands and uniting German speaking people.

Question 43

Why did Hitler want strategic alliances/pacts?

Answer 43

• to stop anti-German power blocs building up
• to prevent a war on two fronts

Question 44

What had been agreed at Versailles regarding the Saar?

Answer 44

That a key coal-rich area of Germany, the Saar, would be controlled by Britain and France under a mandate controlled by the League of Nations.

This came into effect in 1920 and was to last 15 years and so a plebiscite was organised in 1935 to enable the people of the Saar to vote on who they wanted to belong to.

Question 45

What did the Nazis do to try and get the Saar returned to Germany?

Answer 45

Launched a propaganda campaign to convince the voters to return to German control.

Question 46

Why was 90% of the population of the Saar voting to reunite with Germany a massive propaganda success for Hitler?

Answer 46

He could claim to have acted completely in accordance with international law. His international standing was further boosted by the fact that he promised that now he had the Saar he would give up any German claim to Alsace Lorraine.

Question 47

What happened in March 1935?

Answer 47

Rearmament

Question 48

Rearmament e.g Luftwaffe

Answer 48

March 1935

Question 49

What happened in March 1935 regarding rearmament?

Answer 49

1. By 1935, the process of German rearmament had become obvious. 𝗕𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟭𝟵𝟯𝟱, 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝘂𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲 (German air force), which had been banned at Versailles.
2. Military preparation was also accelerated by 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘆.
3. At the same time, Hitler continued his efforts 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆’𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻.

Question 50

By 1935, what had become obvious to other nations?

Answer 50

The process of German rearmament - public rearming. Increasing disregard for T of V.

Question 51

What was military preparation accelerated by?

Answer 51

A decree issued by Hitler announcing conscription for the German army (March 1935)

Question 52

What was Hitler trying to do as well as rearm?

Answer 52

Continue his efforts to develop Germany’s relationship with Britain.

Question 53

How did March 1935 help Hitler achieve his aims?

Answer 53

Shows Hitler’s growth in rearmament - escalation.

Increasing disregard for T of V - public rearming.

Question 54

What happened in June 1935?

Answer 54

Anglo-Naval Treaty

Question 55

Anglo-Naval Treaty

Answer 55

June 1935

Question 56

What was Anglo-Naval Treaty?

Answer 56

1. 𝗜𝗻 𝟭𝟵𝟯𝟱, 𝘃𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝗯𝗯𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗼-𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻. The British were being pressured by the dominions in their empire to reduce tensions with Germany so that the Royal Navy could be concentrated in the Far East to protect them from the rising power of Japan.
2. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗻𝗮𝘃𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝟯𝟱% 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻’𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟭𝟬𝟬% 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗲𝘁. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆’𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗮 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁, 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗜𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘆, 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗺. France was furious that a separate agreement between Britain and Germany had been signed.
3. The Front collapsed completely when Italy invaded Abyssinia (modern day Ethiopia) in 1935.

Question 57

Who negotiated the Anglo-German Naval Treaty with Britain?

Answer 57

Joachim von Ribbentrop

Question 58

Why did Britain sign the Anglo Naval Treaty?

Answer 58

They were being pressured by the dominions in their empire to reduce tensions with Germany so that the Royal Navy could be concentrated in the Far East to protect them from the rising power of Japan.

Question 59

What did the Naval Agreement allow Germany to do?

Answer 59

To build a navy that was 35% the size of Britain’s surface fleet and 100% of its submarine fleet.

Question 60

How did the Anglo-Naval Treaty weaken the Stresa Front?

Answer 60

The Stresa Front was an agreement signed by Italy, Britain, and France dedicated to curtailing German militarism and expansionism. France was furious that an agreement with Germany had been signed.

Question 61

When did the Stress Front collapse and why?

Answer 61

1935 - collapsed completely when Italy invaded Abyssinia.

Question 62

How did the Anglo-Naval Treaty help Hitler achieve his aims?

Answer 62

Aided Germany with rearmament, appeared to have actual support from an ‘ally’ to do so.

Reduced opposition to the expansion as Stresa Front was weakened and ultimately collapsed completely.

Question 63

CONTEXT sheet: What was 1933-35?

Answer 63

Consolidation of power

Question 64

CONTEXT sheet: What was 1936-39?

Answer 64

Annexations and the road to war

Question 65

Remilitarisation/re-occupation of the Rhineland

Answer 65

March 1936

Question 66

What happened in March 1936?

Answer 66

Remilitarisation of the Rhineland

Question 67

What happened during the remilitarisation of the Rhineland?

Answer 67

1. In early 1936, as the League of Nations squabbled over the Abyssinian crisis, they were distracted and not paying attention to Hitler. This meant Hitler was able to order German troops into the Rhineland, which had been made a demilitarised zone by the Treaty of Versailles (Locarno Treaty of 1925 meant that Germany had officially accepted this).
2. The move was risky: Hitler was advised by some German generals that German troops would be forced to withdraw if the French intervened. Hitler gambled that the French would not risk the negative response to any military action against German troops on German soil.
3. He was correct - there was no French reaction and Hitler had achieved a significant victory which made him more confident in his foreign policy aspirations.

Question 68

Why weren’t the League of Nations paying attention to Hitler in early 1936? (so he could order troops into the Rhineland)

Answer 68

Squabbling over the Abyssinian crisis, they were distracted.

Question 69

As the League of Nations were distracted with Abyssinia, what did Hitler do?

Answer 69

Able to order German troops into the Rhineland, which had been made a demilitarised zone by the Treaty of Versailles (Locarno Treaty of 1925 meant that Germany had officially accepted this).

Question 70

Why was ordering troops into the Rhineland a risky move for Hitler?

Answer 70

Hitler was advised by some German generals that German troops would be forced to withdraw if the French intervened.

Hitler gambled that the French would not risk the negative response to any military action against German troops on German soil.

Question 71

Was Hitler correct in his assumption that the French would not intervene when he invaded the Rhineland?

Answer 71

Yes, there was no French reaction and Hitler had achieved a significant victory which made him more confident in his foreign policy aspirations.

Question 72

What does annexation mean?

Answer 72

Possession taken of a piece of land or a country, usually by force or without permission.

Question 73

How did the remilitarisation of the Rhineland help Hitler to achieve his aims?

Answer 73

Gave Hitler more confidence in his ability to create a Lebensraum and expand as he succeeded further with uniting with more German people.

Question 74

So, what had Hitler done by 1936?

Answer 74

Had successfully achieved a major plank of his foreign policy aims – the rearmament of Germany.

He’d left the disarmament conference, officially announced rearmament (which even Britain had seemed to accept by signing the Anglo German Naval Agreement), and remilitarised the Rhineland.

Question 75

What happened in 1936?

Answer 75

The Rome-Berlin Axis and Anti-Comintern Pact

Question 76

The Rome-Berlin Axis and Anti-Comintern Pact

Answer 76

1936

Question 77

What was Rome-Berlin Axis?

Answer 77

This was a coalition between Germany and Italy which served to informally link the two countries. It was formalised by the Pact of Steel in 1939, which obliged Germany and Italy to aid the other country militarily, economically or otherwise in the event of war.

Question 78

What was Anti-Comintern Pact?

Answer 78

The Anti-Comintern Pact was also signed in 1936, an agreement between Germany, Italy and Japan that they would work together to stop the spread of Communism around the globe. This was aimed squarely at the USSR.

Question 79

How did the Rome-Berlin Axis and Anti-Comintern Pact help Hitler achieve his aims?

Answer 79

Aided Hitler’s aims to eradicate communism and make alliances with other powerful countries.

Question 80

When was the Hossbach Conference?

Answer 80

1937

Question 81

What did the Hossbach Conference outline?

Answer 81

3 war scenarios in 1943.

Question 82

What did the notes during the Hossbach Conference make clear?

Answer 82

Made it clear that Hitler felt he possessed full control over Germany’s foreign policy.

Question 83

What was stated at the Hossbach Conference?

Answer 83

• Hitler declared it was impossible for Germany to be self-sufficient in terms of food and the economy and instead Germany would require Lebensraum - the aim of German policy was to make secure and preserve the racial community and enlarge it. It was a question of space.
• Hitler outlined the immediate aims of Anschluss with Austria and the destruction of Czechoslovakia, both of which contravened the T of V and would clearly bring Germany closer to war with Britain, France and Russia. 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝟭𝟵𝟰𝟯-𝟭𝟵𝟰𝟱 𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁. After this time, Germany’s advantage in re-armament would have been cancelled out buy the combined military forces of its enemies.
• Changed the focus from diplomacy to one focused on military force.

Question 84

How far did the Hossbach memorandum represent a coherent programme for action?

Answer 84

At the Nuremberg trials the memorandum was presented as evidence that Hitler possessed a blueprint for expansionist war. Hitler himself certainly seemed to suggest the gravity of what he discussed.

Question 85

According to Hossbach, what had Hitler told the meeting about his discussion?

Answer 85

Obsessed with what he thought might be his impending death, he told the meeting that his discussion of policy should be regarded “in the event of his death, as his last will and testament.”

Question 86

What is the Hossbach memorandum generally regarded as?

Answer 86

A blueprint for Hitler’s foreign policy leading into the Second World War. It is regarded as proof that Hitler had planned to go to war to achieve Lebensraum.

Question 87

However, in contrast, what have some historians suggested about the Hossbach conference? (A.J.P Taylor)

Answer 87

Dismissed the Hossbach conference

Question 88

However, what is clear from the Hossbach document?

Answer 88

That Hitler expected and was preparing for war.

The question for Germany was not whether to seize Lebensraum but rather “where could she achieve the greatest gains at the lowest cost… Germany’s problem could be solved only by the use of force.”

Question 89

What happened in March 1938?

Answer 89

Anschluss with Austria

Question 90

When was Anschluss achieved?

Answer 90

March 1938

Question 91

What happened during Anschluss with Austria?

Answer 91

1. In 1938, Hitler first focused on achieving Anschluss (union) with Austria. He hoped to do so without bloodshed. Pressured by Nazis in Austria, the Austrian government signed a deal with Germany that was so one-sided in favour of Germany that Hitler didn’t feel he needed to force an Anschluss that would shatter Versailles and risk upsetting the Western democracies.
2. Hitler was shocked when the Austrian chancellor Schuschnigg announced plans to hold a plebiscite on Austria’s future. Hitler placed enormous pressure on the Austrian government and Schuschnigg resigned.
3. The Austrian president refused to appoint a Nazi chancellor and Hitler sent in troops at the invitation of the Austrian government, which was pressurised by Germany and Austrian Nazis.
4. Hitler was feted as a hero by the Austrian people, who lined the streets to declare their ecstatic support for the Führer. “One Reich, One People, One Führer” they chanted as Hitler drove through the streets. Hitler now had control of Austria. A month later, Hitler held a rigged referendum. The results showed that the Austrian people approved of German control of their country.

Question 92

What does Anschluss mean?

Answer 92

Union

Question 93

What happened when Hitler sent in troops to Austria at the invitation of the Austrian government?

Answer 93

Hitler was feted as a hero by the Austrian people, who lined the streets to declare their ecstatic support for the Führer. “One Reich, One People, One Führer” they chanted as Hitler drove through the streets. Hitler now had control of Austria.

Question 94

What happened a month after Hitler entered Austria?

Answer 94

Hitler held a rigged referendum. The results showed that the Austrian people approved of German control of their country.

Question 95

What did Anschluss do in terms of Hitler’s beliefs?

Answer 95

Certainly, this event affirmed his messianic belief in himself as a figure sent from providence. It must have been an enormous feeling of success, making his megalomania grow.

Question 96

How did Anschluss with Austria help Hitler to achieve his aims?

Answer 96

Hitler’s welcome from Austrian people reaffirmed his messianic belief about himself and demonstrated more success in uniting both German speaking people and creating Lebensraum.

Question 97

What happened in 1938-39?

Answer 97

The Czechoslovakian (Sudeten) Crisis

Question 98

When was the Czechoslovakian (Sudeten) Crisis?

Answer 98

1938-1939

Question 99

What happened in the Czechoslovakian (Sudeten) Crisis?

Answer 99

1. After Anschluss, Hitler then turned to Czechoslovakia where he exploited the fact that more than 3 million ethnic Germans were living in the Sudetenland, a part of Czechoslovakia that was handed to Czechoslovakia as part of the Treaty of Versailles.
2. Hitler demanded the return of the Sudetenland to Germany. British prime minister Neville Chamberlain flew to Germany on 15th and 22nd September to attempt to find a compromise. Chamberlain agreed to give Hitler the Sudetenland if it was done so peacefully. Hitler said if he could not have this area by 1st October 1938, then he would invade the rest of Czechoslovakia.
3. A conference at Munich was then attended by leaders of Germany, Britain, France and Italy. 𝗖𝘇𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗦𝗦𝗥 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱. On 29th September Goering and Mussolini brokered a compromise: 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝘇𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗮. Chamberlain returned to Britain saying that he had secured ‘peace for our time’.
4. Germany invaded the Sudetenland on 1st October 1938 to crowds of cheering Sudeten Germans. The Czechoslovakian President Benes resigned. Czechoslovakia refused to fight Germany knowing they had no chance and the remaining part of Czechoslovakia was left completely weakened without her main industrial and military area.
5. Shortly afterwards, Hitler broke the Munich Agreement. The annexing of the Sudetenland had denied Czechoslovakia of its border defences. In March 1939, German troops crossed into Czechoslovakia, occupying Bohemia and Moravia and then further land in Czechoslovakia. Czechoslovakia had ceased to exist.

Question 100

What did Hitler exploit regarding Czechoslovakia?

Answer 100

The fact that more than 3 million ethnic Germans were living in the Sudetenland, a part of Czechoslovakia that was handed to Czechoslovakia as part of the T of V.

Question 101

What was Hitler demanding regarding Czechoslovakia?

Answer 101

The return of the Sudetenland to Germany.

Question 102

What did the British prime minister Neville Chamberlain do in attempt to find a compromise?

Answer 102

Agreed to give Hitler the Sudetenland if it was done so peacefully. Hitler said if he could not have this area by 1st October 1938, then he would invade the rest of Czechoslovakia.

Question 103

When was the Munich Conference?

Answer 103

September 1938

Question 104

Who attended the Munich Conference?

Answer 104

Leaders of Germany, Britain, France and Italy.

Czechoslovakia and the USSR were not invited.

Question 105

On 29th September, what did Goering and Mussolini compromise?

Answer 105

It was agreed that the Sudetenland would be returned to Germany and Hitler agreed to respect the territorial integrity of the rest of Czechoslovakia.

Question 106

So what happened on 1st October 1938?

Answer 106

Germany invaded the Sudetenland to crowds of cheering Sudeten Germans. The Czechoslovakian President Benes resigned. Czechoslovakia refused to fight Germany knowing they had no chance and the remaining part of Czechoslovakia was left completely weakened without her main industrial and military area.

Question 107

What happened shortly after the Munich Agreement?

Answer 107

What happened shortly after the Munich Agreement?

Question 108

Why was the invasion of Czechoslovakia a KEY turning point towards war?

Answer 108

No argument on the grounds of self determination could be made. The territory seized had no German majority and had never been a part of Germany. This was not about uniting Germans. This was about Lebensraum and was clearly an invasion.

Question 109

How did the Czechoslovakian crisis help Hitler achieve his aims?

Answer 109

Demonstrated a significant shift from Hitler simply uniting German speaking people. By ignoring the Munich Agreement and taking the rest of Czechoslovakia, Hitler was taking land that had never been a part of Germany before. This demonstrated a shift to pure Lebensraum and expansionism, beyond just uniting Germans.

Question 110

How is it clear that there can be no debate that during the 1930s Hitler was a key driving force in the development of German foreign policy?

Answer 110

At first Hitler retained the diplomatic core and foreign policy. However, there is no doubt that it was Hitler’s, and only ever the Führer’s, ultimate vision that they and their more radical placements worked to realise. 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘇𝗶 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲’𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁, 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿-𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗶𝗺𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘀.

Question 111

What new warfare did Hitler develop?

Answer 111

Blitzkrieg - was Germany’s strategy to avoid a long war in the first phase of World War II in Europe.

Question 112

What was the Nazi-Soviet Pact?

Answer 112

Paved the way for the joint invasion and occupation of Poland by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union that September.

The pact was an agreement of convenience between the two bitter ideological enemies.

It permitted Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union to carve up spheres of influence in eastern Europe, while pledging not to attack each other for 10 years. Less than two years later, however, Hitler launched an invasion of the Soviet Union.

Question 113

When was Nazi-Soviet Pact signed?

Answer 113

August 1939

Question 114

Why did the Nazi-Soviet Pact strengthen Hitler’s position?

Answer 114

Meant he had an ally on the other side of Poland, and Poland was sandwiched in between.

Question 115

Why was the Pact of Steel (Germany and Italy) so important to Hitler?

Answer 115

It promised economic and military aid from both in the event of a war. Italy were hesitant of the military commitment and didn’t expect war that year.

Question 116

Which countries did Hitler want to form alliances with?

Answer 116

Britain, Italy, Japan

Question 117

With every success, what did Hitler become?

Answer 117

More confident and aggressive. He remained consistent to his key aim of achieving Lebensraum and creating a greater Germany and systematically reversing the Treaty of Versailles.

Question 118

Although other Nazi leaders contributed to foreign policy events, what did their influence rely on?

Answer 118

Their influence relied solely upon them meeting Hitler’s personal aims. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙ü𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗿.

Question 119

How is it possible that there was flexibility in the actions Hitler took?

Answer 119

The centrality of his ideological vision is in sharp contrast to his opportunism in taking advantage of the changing international situation.

But this did not make Hitler a dictator without a clear goal - he was absolutely masterful in his ability to take advantage of chance events to realise his foreign policy goals.

Hitler arises as a man seeking to achieve consistent goals by taking advantage of as many unforeseen opportunities as he could.

Question 120

What did Hitler do in 1936?

Answer 120

• Hitler created his 4 year Plan which focused on his war economy.
• Remilitarised the Rhineland which went against the T of V and the Locarno Pact.
• Rome-Berlin Axis
• Anti-Comintern Pact, Germany and Japan establish the an anti-communist alliance which outlined the amount of aid to give if an attack by the USSR seemed likely. Italy signed this in 1937.

Question 121

What was the name of Hitler’s economic plan?

Answer 121

4 year plan/Second four year plan. Focus was on autarky and war production.

Question 122

Explain the Non-Aggression Pact with Poland

Answer 122

1939
* Hitler wanted the restoration of Danzig to Germany and also the return of the Polish Corridor.
* Britain and France had realised by 1939 that it was not possible to appease Hitler and made a commitment to defend Poland. In August, Germany and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact.

Question 123

What other book did Hitler write in 1928 that reiterated his views outlined in Mein Kampf?

Answer 123

“Second Book” (Zweites Buch)

Question 124

INTENTIONALIST: Hitler was willing to risk war in 1939 and invade Poland despite British and French guarantee of Polish independence

Answer 124

BUT France’s weak domestic situation convinced Hitler they would not stop him (their gov had changed 11 times and economic problems) but was this a miscalculation on Hitler’s part? Plus he had negotiated a non-aggression pact with Poland in 1934 as he wanted access to Danzig in the Polish corridor suggesting he was willing to use diplomacy.

(STRUCTURALIST)

Question 125

INTENTIONALIST: Hitler made alliances with Italy like the Pact of Steel which suggests he was preparing for war and the Nazi-Soviet Pact also showed he was planning on war with Poland.

Answer 125

STRUCTURALIST: Hitler’s signing of the Nazi-Soviet Pact was possible because he was convinced GB and FR had no sympathy for the USSR by 1939 plus he now had Italy’s military support. He may also only have signed the Nazi-Soviet Pact to pacify the West. Hitler’s signing of the Nazi-Soviet Pact showed he had no plan as he was fiercely anti-communist and had signed the Anti-Comintern pact previously.

Question 126

INTENTIONALIST: In September 1938 Hitler hinted towards war in a speech in Berlin

Answer 126

No structuralist

Question 127

What did Germany and Poland have a history of?

Answer 127

Germany and Poland had a history of enmity.

Question 128

What did Poland acquire after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 128

• Lan, along with about about 800,000 Germans
• Also given the Polish Corridor, created by the Treaty, with the “free” port of Danzig on its coast to give Poland access to the sea, which was bitterly resented by the Germans.

Question 129

Identify the problems Poland encountered after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles:

Answer 129

• It had been dismembered and rebuilt - lots of minority groups within its borders.
• Communication systems and railway lines did not interact across the country.
• The Polish government was very aware that both Germany and the USSR wanted some, if not all, of its territory.
• Therefore, Poland could not trust its neighbours as allies; far from it.
• The growing Nazi military forces made Western powers look increasingly weak.
• Although Poland had a mutual assistance pact with France (made in 1925 at Locarno), France had made a similar pact with Czechoslovakia but hadn’t gone to war because neither Britain or League of Nations would have supported such a war.
• Also, the western powers were badly placed geographically to help Poland if Germany invaded.

Question 130

Why did the Western powers seem weak to Poland? adding to the problems Poland was facing

Answer 130

• The growing Nazi military forces made Western powers look increasingly weak.
• Although Poland had a mutual assistance pact with France (made in 1925 at Locarno), France had made a similar pact with Czechoslovakia but hadn’t gone to war because neither Britain or League of Nations would have supported such a war.
• Also, the western powers were badly placed geographically to help Poland if Germany invaded.

Question 131

It is important to remember that Poland was not a weak country struggling to survive, as Allied propaganda portrayed it. What evidence is there of Poland’s strength and independence in the interwar years?

Answer 131

• Fiercely independent and just as keen to take land as other Eastern European countries.
• It went to war with USSR over land in the Ukraine in 1920 and took Teschen from Czechoslovakia in 1938.
• It had a large army in proportion to its population. (However, its army was not very mechanised - most of its heavy artillery was still horse drawn and it still had cavalry regiments. In 1939, it had just began to build, and train crews for, light tanks).

Question 132

What did Poland go to war over?

Answer 132

Against USSR over land in the Ukraine in 1920.

Question 133

What did Poland take from Czechoslovakia in 1938?

Answer 133

Teschen

Question 134

Why did Hitler negotiate the Non-Aggression Pact with Poland in 1934?

Answer 134

In 1934, Hitler had not been in power long and wanted to make himself secure in Germany and build up his army before he did anything aggressive. He saw the USSR as the biggest threat to Germany, so Poland, which stood between Germany and the USSR, was a useful ally. The pact meant Poland could not join the USSR in an attack on Germany.

This was so valuable that Hitler faced outspoken opposition within the Nazi Party and the Reichstag, even before he was secure in power, to make the pact. He wanted Danzig and the Polish Corridor back, but it was not the most important issue in 1934 - securely rearming was.

Question 135

By making the non-aggression pact with Poland, what did Hitler divert attentions from?

Answer 135

By making the pact, Hitler diverted attention from the fact that the Nazi Party was very active in Danzig.

Question 136

How had Nazis gained control of Danzig?

Answer 136

In 1933, the Nazis won a majority in the town government. It was not enough of a majority to allow them to change the city’s constitution and declare it part of Germany, but it was enough to establish Nazi control of the city.

Question 137

Why was the Non-Aggression Pact with Poland 1934 evidence of Hitler acting opportunistically?

Answer 137

Willing to buy himself time when his army wasn’t ready.

Question 138

What was important about the port city of Danzig?

Answer 138

• Danzig had long been an important German trading port with a largely German population (96% in 1914).
• Even the Allies had stopped short of giving it to Poland, creating instead a “free city”, run by the League of Nations, to which all nations had access.
• The Polish Corridor connected Danzig to Poland because one aim of Versailles was to give Poland access to the sea.
• The fact that it split East Prussia from the rest of Germany was inconvenient for Germany on almost every level: political, religious and social.
• In 1933, the Nazis won a majority in the town government. It was not enough of a majority to allow them to change the city’s constitution and declare it part of Germany, but it was enough to establish Nazi control of the city.

Question 139

What was the percentage of German people in Danzig?

Answer 139

96%

Question 140

What had the Allies done to Danzig?

Answer 140

Even the Allies had stopped short of giving it to Poland, creating instead a “free city”, run by the League of Nations, to which all nations had access.

Question 141

What was Hitler’s minimum requirement regarding Poland?

Answer 141

Poland as a German satellite. He needed to be able to rely on Poland not to attack Germany.

Question 142

Describe Nazi relations with Poland between 1935 and 1937.

Answer 142

1935 onwards: Nazis presented themselves to the Poles as wanting to sort out the problems of the Polish Corridor and Danzig by diplomacy, and wanting Poland as an ally.

Between 1935-37: various high-level meetings in which the Nazis pressed Poland to develop the non-aggression pact into an alliance that included military support in times of war. They floated the idea of a mutual war against the USSR, offering Poland a chunk of Ukraine if they won. They suggested that all they wanted, as far as the Polish Corridor was concerned, was the right to build road and rail connections to East Prussia. The Poles resisted, knowing the Nazis wanted Poland as a satellite state at the very least, and that a more developed alliance with Germany would damage relations with the USSR.

Question 143

What was Poland trying to maintain between 1935-37?

Answer 143

Poland was still trying to maintain a balance where it was seen as a possible, valuable ally to both sides and therefore would be attacked by neither.

Question 144

When the Nazis remilitarised the Rhineland in 1936, what did Poland expect France to do? What did France actually do?

Answer 144

Expected France to fight to drive the German troops out, so it offered military help under the terms of the 1921 Mutual Assistance Pact with France. However, the French did not send troops into the Rhineland, thereby changing the political situation.

Question 145

How did the remilitarisation of the Rhineland in 1936 change the political atmosphere of Europe?

Answer 145

• Poland had exposed itself as willing to fight Germany (as it expected France to fight and drive Germans out, so it offered military help under the 1921 Mutual Assistance Pact with France).
• France had shown itself as unwilling to fight, as did Britain and the League of Nations.
• Hitler became more confidence about pressing for what he wanted by force.

However, Czechoslovakia was the next logical conquest, so Hitler continued negotiations with Poland rather than attacking it.

Question 146

What was the furthest Poland went in negotiations with Germany after 1936?

Answer 146

Poland went as far as to make an agreement with Germany to guarantee the rights of Germans in Poland in return for a guarantee of the rights of Poles in German-controlled territory.

However, it was still unwilling to become an obedient satellite state of Germany, and German patience was running out.

Question 147

Why was Poland hesitant to enter an alliance with Germany in 1939?

Answer 147

It was unwilling to become an obedient satellite state of Germany

Question 148

What did the case of Austria and remains of Czechoslovakia persuade Hitler?

Answer 148

Persuade Hitler that he was NOT going to meet resistance to the use of force to get the land he wanted.

Question 149

What did Hitler do with Austria (1938) and Czechoslovakia (1939)?

Answer 149

He exploited events in those countries to march in and take over, displaying opportunism about the exact moment of takeover, even if he had been preparing to use force.

Question 150

What was the Anti-Comintern Pact?

Answer 150

A pact against Comintern, an international communist organisation set up by the USSR to spread communist ideas worldwide. Germany and Japan concluded the pact in 1936, then Italy concluded in in 1937.

Question 151

What did Hitler offer Poland which certainly would have set off a Soviet Invasion?

Answer 151

Opportunity to join the Anti-Comintern Pact

Question 152

How was the Anti-Comintern Pact Hitler’s litmus test of obedience?

Answer 152

While Germany was technically offering a peaceful alliance to Poland, therefore, it was offering it on terms that Poland was likely to refuse.

Hungary had agreed to join and so remained an independent satellite.

Question 153

Identify the two treaties in 1939 which strengthened Hitler’s position, and explain why they did this.

Answer 153

• 22nd May 1939 - Pact of Steel between Germany and Italy committed both sides to close economic ties and mutual military aid. Hitler had previously feared that Mussolini would not support him military - it was probably one reason he didn’t invade Czechoslovakia when Mussolini urged him to negotiate in 1938. THE PACT OF STEEL MEANT HE COULD NOW RELY ON ITALY’S MILITARY SUPPORT.
• 23rd August 1939 - the Nazi-Soviet Pact was seen by many politicians and ordinary citizens worldwide as a cynical alliance that would only last as long as it suited both parties. The press in Britain, France and the USA were specially dismissive of its sincerity - political cartoonists mocked the way that two politicians who had spent years criticising each other now acted as if it was possible to work together. However both sides clearly thought it was worth making, even temporarily, and it shifted the balance of power in Eastern Europe by placing allies on both sides of Poland. WHAT THE SIGNATORIES OF THE PACT DID NOT REVEAL WAS THE SECRET CLAUSE IN WHICH GERMANY AND THE USSR AGREED TO INVADE POLAND AND DIVIDE IT BETWEEN THEM.

Question 154

Why did the Pact of Steel strengthen Hitler’s position?

Answer 154

Pact of Steel between Germany and Italy committed both sides to close economic ties and mutual military aid. Hitler had previously feared that Mussolini would not support him military - it was probably one reason he didn’t invade Czechoslovakia when Mussolini urged him to negotiate in 1938. THE PACT OF STEEL MEANT HE COULD NOW RELY ON ITALY’S MILITARY SUPPORT.

Question 155

Why did the Nazi-Soviet Pact (a non-aggression pact) strengthen Hitler’s position?

Answer 155

It shifted the balance of power in Eastern Europe by placing allies on both sides of Poland. WHAT THE SIGNATORIES OF THE PACT DID NOT REVEAL WAS THE SECRET CLAUSE IN WHICH GERMANY AND THE USSR AGREED TO INVADE POLAND AND DIVIDE IT BETWEEN THEM.

Question 156

What had Britain and France agreed regarding Poland?

Answer 156

The Anglo-Polish Agreement of March 1939 - the French and British governments offered a guarantee of Polish sovereignty/independence against any act of aggression.

Question 157

Why was Hitler confident that Britain and France would not uphold the agreement with Poland (March 1939), guaranteeing the country’s independence?

Answer 157

• Both countries had backed down when he invaded Czechoslovakia, do didn’t think they would go to war to help Poland.
• Besides, there was no evidence of Britain and France rearming more rapidly, introducing conscription or transferring troops or equipment to Poland to prepare for war. If they had seriously intended to defend Poland, they should have been doing all those things, especially transferring troops/equipment to Poland, considering the geographical problems of reaching Poland without crossing Germany.

Question 158

When did German troops invade Poland?

Answer 158

1st September 1939

Question 159

1st September 1939

Answer 159

German troops invade Poland

Question 160

When did Britain and France declare war on Germany?

Answer 160

3rd September 1939 - too late to save Poland.

Question 161

“The Nazis were always going to invade and Germanise Poland” - evidence that supports this statement

Answer 161

• The Polish government was very aware that both Germany and the USSR wanted some, if not all, of its territory.
• Germany’s desire for Lebensraum.
• Wanted Danzig after Treaty of Versailles - put Nazi presence there.
• Simply not in a position to invade in 1934, but Hitler knew this - just bidding his time.
• Offered Poland to be in Anti-Comintern Pact knowing they would refuse.
• Didn’t believe Britain or France would help Poland.

Question 162

“The Nazis were always going to invade and Germanise Poland” - evidence that refutes this statement

Answer 162

• Said that he wasn’t ready for war in 1939 - Hossbach Conference 1937.
• Made Non-Aggression Pact in 1934.
• Wanted Poland as an ally against the USSR.
• Just wanted road and rail links through Polish corridor.
• Britain and France were willing to uphold Polish independence.

Question 163

“Hitler’s invasion of Poland was a direct step in a move to world war” - evidence which supports this statement

Answer 163

• Stufenplan - step by step plan - had already completed step in taking over Czechoslovakia
• Hitler was willing to go to war against Britain and France as he now had support of the USSR.
• Had the support of Italy with Pact of Steel.
• Rearming since 1933.
• Britain and France had said they would go to war if he invaded Poland.

Question 164

“Hitler’s invasion of Poland was a direct step in a move to world war” - evidence which refutes this statement

Answer 164

• Hossbach Conference - always said he would only be ready for war in 1943.
• Thought Britain and France were bluffing due to appeasement.
• Political miscalculation - thought Britain wouldn’t actually go to war over Poland now he had support of the USSR.
• Was still trying to make an alliance with Britain up to 1940.
• Blitzkrieg.

Question 165

What did Hitler say in speeches and negotiations with Italy that suggests he didn’t intend to start a world war with Poland when he invaded in 1939?

Answer 165

He talked of being ready to fight a large scale war in the early 1940s, when the newly acquired land in the east would be Germanised and Germany would have a large military force.

Question 166

Why may Hitler have perceived the British and French promises to support Poland as just a bluff?

Answer 166

Failed to see that his increasing brutality towards Jews in Germany such as Kristallnacht in November 1938, combined with him breaking his promise not to take anymore territory after the Sudetenland had led to a change of feeling in Britain and France.

Question 167

Why was the British and French policy of appeasement not working?

Answer 167

Was neither keeping the peace nor keeping the new nations of Eastern Europe secure, although it had bought them time to build up their troops and armaments. Politicians and the people in France and Britain were swinging to a majority view that war was the only way to stop Hitler.

Question 168

What may have made Hitler feel so ready for war?

Answer 168

Hitler was so encouraged by his alliance with the USSR that he was prepared to fight a war in the West. With the USSR as his ally, he did not need to worry about a war on two fronts and he would have the Red Army to help in his fight.

It is possible that, given the success he had and the fact that he thought Britain and France were weak, he felt the time was right to take them to war and win.

Question 169

Richard Overy view on if Hitler intended a world war when he invaded Poland in 1939

Answer 169

“The outbreak of a general European war in 1939 seems to have been the result of miscalculations on Hitler’s part. He wanted to wage his major war three or four years later, when the economy and armed forces were ready. There is no doubt, of course, about his intention to have a local war in 1939 to destroy Poland, once it became clear that the Polish government would not agree to become a virtual satellite state of the Reich. Hitler’s planning involved a great risk, but a combination of what looked like favourable international circumstances, British and French hesitancy over Danzig, and intelligence sources which indicated western military unpreparedness, persuaded him that the risk was worth taking. His conviction that the western states would not seriously intervene to save Poland was based not on mere wishful thinking, but on what Hitler thought was a reasonable calculation of western strengths and weaknesses… The Polish campaign was part of a concerted German drive into eastern Europe. The timing was determined by international and military factors rather than domestic structural pressures.”

Question 170

Why did Germany invade Poland in September 1937? (list two reasons)

Answer 170

• After Treaty of Versailles, Germany lost Polish corridor.
• Poland in between Germany and USSR.

Question 171

Strengths of Poland up to 1939

Answer 171

• Had a mutual assistance pact with France
• Fiercely independent
• Took land from Czechoslovakia in 1938
• Had a large army.

Question 172

Weaknesses of Poland up to 1939

Answer 172

• Unlikely Western powers would defend Poland - too far away.
• Could not trust its neighbours as allies.
• Army wasn’t mechanised.

Question 173

What did the Nazi-Soviet Pact agree?

Answer 173

To divide Poland between them.

Question 174

How did Hitler knew Poland would refuse if he asked them to join the Anti-Comintern Pact against the USSR?

Answer 174

The USSR were directly next to Poland and could invade Poland if threatened.

Question 175

By 1939, what did Germany have in its army?

Answer 175

• 103 infantry divisons
• 2000 fighter planes
• 3000 tanks

Question 176

How many neutrality acts did USA sign showing it was adopting a policy of isolationism?

Answer 176

Signed 3 neutrality acts.

Question 177

What had Britain done in 1939 that suggested to Hitler they were not committed to protecting Poland?

Answer 177

Britain had turned down Polish request for a loan for rearmament in 1939.

Question 178

What did Britain and France start to do in 1939 suggesting they were preparing for war?

Answer 178

The British and French increased the pace of their rearmament in 1939.

Question 179

What did Hitler say in May 1939 that suggested he didn’t want war?

Answer 179

In May 1939, Hitler said he wanted to isolate Poland but must not risk a simultaneous war with the West.

Question 180

What else suggests Hitler didn’t want war? e.g materials

Answer 180

Germany had a shortage of raw materials for its army by 1939 and food supply and quality worsened.

Question 181

What did Hitler not realise about Britain?

Answer 181

Didn’t realise that British public opinion was increasingly anti-German he did not believe they would fight to protect an authoritarian dictatorship.

Also believed Britain’s rearmament programme was weak.