Foreign Policy Flashcards
1
Q
Who was Foreign Minister in 1933?
A
- Constantin von Neurath
2
Q
What was the Foreign Policy like in the Early Years?
A
- Need for Moderation + patience
- Nazi party viewed as reasonable + lulled many nations into a false sense of security
3
Q
What Event Occurred in 1933? Effect?
A
- Germany pulled out of the League of Nations and the Disarmament Conference because no one (France) was willing to disarm
EFFECT
- Germany seems reasonable + moderate
- Encouraged people to sympathies with Germany
4
Q
What Event Occurred in January 1934?
Effect?
A
- Germany signs a Non Conflict Treaty for 10 years with Poland
- Lower suspensions + lulls Poland into a false sense of security - Broke Lucano Treaty 1925
EFFECT
- Good as non-agressive
- Showing Germany to be diplomatic
- Gaining respect through signing pacts + agreements
- No official agreement was reached with Britain/Italy, but Britain was sympathizing with Germany
5
Q
What Event Occurred in July 1934?
Effects?
A
- Nazi attempted to make a coup in Austria
- SS used Austrian army uniforms + invaded Vienna + Killed Dollfuss (Austrian Chancellor)
- Took control of radio station and declared that Dollfuss resigned
- Mussolini sent his troops to stop Hitler
- Conducted this in an atmosphere of fear + violence but it was a FAILURE
EFFECT
- First set back
- Too soon into dictatorship
- Needed Italy’s help - gain trust of Mussolini
6
Q
What Event Occurred in January 1935?
Effect?
A
- Saar voted to return to German rule, after being ruled by the League of Nations - 90% in favor
EFFECT
- Good for Germany
- People wanted to be part of Nazi regime
- Confidence boost
- Propaganda boost
- Destroying Treaty of Versailles
7
Q
What Event Occurred in March 1935?
Effect?
A
- Breaking free of the Versailles Agreement
- Conscription was introduced
- Luftwaffe formed
- Peacetime army was 550000
EFFECT
- Broke Versailles Agreement terms
- Britain,France+Italy openly condemned (orally only) - formed Stresa Front with the aim of establishing a national diplomatic front against Germany
- Hitler’s confidence increased - others not strong enough to league against hum
- Importance + national pride restored
8
Q
What Event Occurred in June 1935?
Effect?
A
- Britain + Germany signed Ambassadorial Agreement
- Britain wanted to protect its empire
- Britain let Germany have 35% of Britain’s Navel fleets (e.g. B=100, G=35)
- Britain broke Stresa Front (looks weak)
EFFECT
- Encouraged rearmament
- Increased Hitler’s Power
- Not a limitation
9
Q
What Event Occurred in October 1935?
Effect?
A
- Mussolini order an attack on Abyssinia (Ethiopia)
EFFECT
- Breaking Stresa Front
- Italy increasing empire
- League of Nations didn’t do anything
- Hitler doesn’t have attention on Germany
10
Q
What Event Occurred in March 1936?
Effect?
A
- Hitler ordered troops to re-possess Rhineland
- Major political gamble since German Army wouldn’t be strong enough to fight against French Army
EFFECT
- No one did anything (Britain+France) - wanted to avoid war
- Increase German strength
- Lots of industries + resources
- Hitler’s positions increased - very strong
11
Q
What Event Occurred Throughout 1936?
Effect?
A
- Spanish Civil War
EFFECT
- Caused political insecurity
- Italy/Germany/Russia interfered militarily
- Britain + France feared there might be a political revolution + continued with their policy of non interference/appeasement
- Attention was drawn away from central Europe
- Gave a general focus for the interests of Germany + Italy
12
Q
What Event Occurred in November 1936?
Effect?
A
- Anti international communism pact with Japan
- Anti-Communist pact
EFFECT
- Germany + Japan helped each other if America attacked either one
13
Q
What Conclusions Can be Made About Nazi Foreign Policy?
A
- International status of Germany had changed considerably
- Had become Dominate
- Versailles + Lacono treaties eradicated
- Germany no longer isolated
- Mussolini distanced himself from France + Britain and had gotten closer to Germany
14
Q
What Problems did Germany Face After 1936?
A
- Economic Crisis - solved by Georing’s Four Year Plan
- Conservative members of army + foreign minister wanted a more moderate policy - Hitler needed to secure their support
- Germany wanted to make a tripartite agreement with Japan and Italy at the expense of Britain
15
Q
What Effect did the Problems of 1936 have?
A
- Caused the idleness of 1937
- Clear divison bewteen diplomatic coups (35/36) and the emergencies before the war (38/39)
16
Q
What Event Occurred in November 1937?
Effect?
A
- Hossbach Meeting
EFFECT
- Hossbach sacked for recording meeting
- Blueprint of steps that lead to war
- Used in Nuremberg trials to show that Hitler + Generals wanted war.
17
Q
Why did Hitler want Anschluss?
A
- Wanted all German speaking nations in Europe to be part of German
- Wanted to control Austria and Sudetenland (German-speaking area of Czechoslovakia)
18
Q
Briefly Describe the the 1934 Failed Coup in Austria.
A
- Austrian Chancellor tried to crack down on socialist + Nazis - Nazis were banned
- 1934 = Austrian Nazis created havoc - turned into attempt to overthrow government
- Chancellor murdered
- Failed because the Austrian military intervened
- Italy made agreement with Austria that would protect er from aggression - Mussolini honored this + moved troops to Italian boarder
19
Q
What Happened After the Failed Coup?
A
- New chancellor wanted to preserve the country from German invasion by trying not to give Hitler an excuses for aggression
20
Q
What was the German-Austrian Agreement 1936?
A
- Recognised the independence of Austria
- BUT Austria’s foreign policy had to consistent with Germany’s
- Allowed Nazis to hold official posts in Austria
21
Q
How did the Rome-Berlin Axis Affect Austria?
A
- Hitler + Mussolini formalised the Rome-Berlin Axis during their joint involvement in the Spanish Civil War (36-39)
- Caused Austria to loss its protection from Italy + become vulnerable to German attack
22
Q
What did Hitler Want from Schuschnigg when he Visited Him?
A
- Hitler demanded that the restriction on Austrian Nazi Party lifted + that they’d be given key government posts is Austria
- Compromised by making Seyess-Inquart (Nazi) Minister of the Interior
- Caused Hitler to order the Austrian Nazis to create as much trouble as possible to put pressure on Schuschnigg
23
Q
Describe the Events of 09/03/1938
A
- Schushcnigg announced a referendum to decide if Austria wanted to be part of Germany
- If Austria voted against joining Germany Hitler couldn’t invade
24
Q
Describe the Events of 10/03/1938
A
- Hitler was preparing for invasion
- Hitler ordered Schuschnigg to call off referendum
- Schuschnigg knew he’d get no help form Italy + France/Britain wouldn’t interfere - called off referendum + resigned
- Seyess-Inquart (Minister of the Interior) ordered to ask for German help to restore Austria
25
Q
Describe the Events of 11/03/1938
A
- ## Hitler reassured Czechoslovakia that they had nothing to fear
26
Q
Describe the Events of 12/03/1938
A
- German troops marched into Austria unopposed
- Hitler had control of Austria
- Month later - Hitler held a rigged referendum
27
Q
What was the Foreign Reaction to Anschluss?
A
FRANCE
- French policies were in turmoil in March 1938
- 2 days before Germany invaded Austria the entire French government had resigned
- Not in a position to oppose invasion
BRITAIN
- Britain having own problems - Eden (foreign secretary) had resigned over Chamberlain’s to open negotiations with Mussolini
- British population was against the idea of another European war
- Anschluss was not seen as a threat to Britain - between two German speaking nations - no good reason why Austria and Germany shouldn’t unify
28
Q
What were the Effects of Anschluss?
A
- Britain + France appeasement - appeared week
- Got more men power/industry/Jews- Krystallnacht
- Economic advantages
- Confidence grew
- Good relationship with Italy
- Destroyed treaty of Versailles
- Hitler won more support in Danzig (port) + won 70/72 in 1938 - came under influence of the Third Reich
29
Q
Why was Czechoslovakia Important to Hitler?
A
- German speaking people - 3 million
- Industry - iron
- Versailles Treaty created there
30
Q
How did Hitler Plan to Take Control of Czechoslovakia?
A
- Hitler wanted to use the Sudeten Germans to create trouble in Czech and then use it as a pretense for invading and “restoring order”
- Czechs + Slovaks were Slavic origin so considered untermenschen (subhumen)
31
Q
How did Hitler Build Tension?
March 1938
A
- Hitler was supported by the Sudeten German Party under Heinlein
- Hitler ordered Heinlein to create a crisis in the county
- Sudeten Germans made increasingly bold demands from the government
- When demands couldn’t be met they’d insisted that they’re being persecuted
32
Q
How did Hitler Build Tension?
April 1938
A
- Heinlein announced his Karlsbad Programme for Sudeten self government, independence and organised civil unrest
- Czech government were against these despite being urged by Czech allies (France+Britain)
33
Q
How did Hitler Build Tension?
May 1938
A
- Hitler moved his army to Czech boarder to intimidate Czech government
- Czech army moblised and moved closer to the boarder
34
Q
How did Hitler Build Tension?
July 1938
A
- Hitler promised Chamberlain that he wouldn’t invade Czech if he was given control of Sudetenland
35
Q
Describe the Events that Occured on the 12/09/1938
A
- Hitler increased the tensions by insisting self-determination for Czech president at Nuremberg Rally
- Sudeten Germans rioted + material law was declared in Czechoslovakia
36
Q
Describe the Meeting that took place on 15th September 1938
A
- Between Hitler + Chamberlain
- Chamberlain agreed principle that Hitler could claim the Sudetenland without reprisal from Britain
- Chamberlain managed to persuade his cabinet + French government to accept deal
37
Q
Describe the Meeting that took place on 22th September 1938
A
- Between Hitler + Chamberlain
- Chamberlain offered Hitler control of Sudetenland
- Hitler demanded that the Czech army leave the Sudetenland by 1st October
- Demand designed to provoke the Czechs + provide an excuse to invade whole country
38
Q
What was the Munich Agreement?
A
- Meeting between Britain, Italy, France and Germany
- No representations form Czech or Russia
- Chamberlain stayed with his policy of pacifism + appeasement to give Sudetenland to Germany on the condition that he wouldn’t be claiming more land
- Munich agreement meant a lot to Chamberlain but Nothing to Hitler
- Czech had to either accept it or face Germany alone
- Czech Accepted
39
Q
What were the Effects of Munich?
A
- Hitler gained land
- Germany gained 3.5mil Germans/land/wealth/resources/Jews
- Britain + France weak
- Britain + France made things too easy for Hitler
- Czech suffered
- Success for Hitler
- Gave Britain time to rearm
40
Q
What did Pro-Appeasers think about the Munich Agreement?
A
- Brought Britain valuable time to rearm for work
- Had previously been too weak to help Austria/Czechoslovakia
41
Q
What did the Anti-Appeasers think about the Munich Agreement?
A
- Shamefully brtrayed Czech + lost a potential ally in fight against Nazi Germany
- In 1940 every third tank used in the invasion of France was built in Czechoslovakia
42
Q
What Event Occurred in 15 March 1939?
Effect?
A
- German army invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia
EFFECT
- Germany gained land
- Britain + France didn’t do anything
43
Q
What Event Occurred in 31 March 1939?
Effect?
A
- Britain promised to defend Poland in hope of restraining Hitler
EFFECT
- Hopefully restrict Hitler - bluff
44
Q
What Event Occurred in 22 May 1939?
Effect?
A
- Italy + Germany signed the Pact of Steel to protect each other in event of war
45
Q
What Event Occurred in 23 August 1939?
Effect?
A
- Nazi-Soviet pact was signed by Germany + Russia
- 2 nations promised to not fight each other
- Created a good atmosphere where trade agreements were restarted between Germany + Russia
- Pact signed for 10 years
- Germany attacked Poland in the east on 01/09/39
- Britain + France continued with pacifist policies
- France + Britain wanted to meet Hitler, Hitler didn’t answer
- 03/09/39 War allies declared war on Germany
46
Q
Why didn’t Hitler Expect Britain + France to Declare War?
A
- Britain + France followed appeasement
- Nazi-Soviet Pact
- Allies didn’t want a war
47
Q
Describe Hitler’s Early Victory Over Poland.
Effects?
A
- Germany succeeded in overcoming Poland within a few weeks through Blitzkrieg
EFFECTS
- Shows strength of Germany
- Confidence boost - Quickly
- Leabanstrum achieved
- Gained resources/labour/etc
- Experience of war
- Russia didn’t stop Hitler - Munich Agreement
48
Q
Describe Germany’s Attack on France May 1940
A
- Attack planned for November 1939 - prospered due to luke warm attitudes of Generals
- Took place in May 1940 - prolonging the Anglo-French Phoney war for 8 months
49
Q
Why did Hitler Target France?
A
Wanted to nutralise the democratic countries in the west before continuing Lebensraum
50
Q
Describe the Attack on Norway + Denmark
EFFECT
A
- April 1940 - Germany army occupied Denmark + Norway’s major ports
- Norway = essential - major entry for Swedish iron to Germany (important for arms)
51
Q
What were the Effects of the Early Victories?
France/Norway/Denmark
A
- More land
- More resource
- Conquered France in 6 weeks = confidence boost
- German citizens were very happy
- More Aryans/Jews
- Hitler controlled Paris/Oslo/Vienna/Prague/Waslaw/Berlin
52
Q
How did Germany’s Early Victories Effect Britain?
A
- Churchill refused to let Britain settle with Germany
- Germany needed to secure air superiority to invade Britain - Germany’s failure to win Battle of Britain was significant
- Germany switched military focus to USSR before Britain had been nutralised - Mistake?
53
Q
What was Announced on 18th December 1939?
A
Operation Barbarossa
54
Q
Why did Hitler Decide to Go to War With Russia Before They Defeated Britain?
A
- Aimed to be a quick campaign
- Hitler believed that Blitzkrieg could succeed - over confident due to previous success?
55
Q
What were Hitler’s Aims for Operation Barbarossa?
A
- Lebensraum
- Destroy communism/Bolshevism
- Gain labour/industry/power
56
Q
Describe the German Attack Russia 1941
A
- Postponed for months - Germany had to secure its southern boarder
- Invasion of Soviet Union took place June 1941
- Started well (Germany nearly captured Stalingrad + defeating Britain in Egypt)
- Despite the Nazi-Soviet Agreement signed August 1939, Hitler continued to attack Russia since Russia was a strategic threat his European empire + was birthplace of Bolshevism
- Germany won a lot of land + prisoners but Russia did not give up
- By Decmeber 1941, Difference apprared between Hitler + his gernerals, Anglo- American support and Russian dangers - Caused Germany to stop Advancing
57
Q
Why did Operation Barbarossa Fail?
A
- Vastness of USSR
- Inability to Target Soviet Industry
- Logisitcs
- Poor Intelligence
- Occupation Policy
- Contrast Interference of Hitler in Milotary Operations
- Not Accounting for a Long War
- Problems in the Rear
- Determination of the Soviet Population
- Weather
- Germans Didn’t Have Enough
58
Q
Why was December 1941 a Turning Point?
A
- Pearl Harbor - America in the war
- Hitler had lost his military + diplomatic grip - out of the Fuhrer’s control
- Hitler responding to circumstances + make strategic judgments which were shaped by self-delusion + his own warped view of the world rather than rational assessment of the situation
59
Q
How did the Effects of December 1941 Impact the Events of 1942?
A
- Allies gradually began to win the war
- German forces continued to push deeper into Russian oil fields
- June 1942 = Americans defeated the Japanese at the Battle of Midway
- November 1942 = Britain won Battle of El-Alamein in Egypt - led to the ejection of German forces from North Africa
- January 1943 - Russians defeated Nazis at the Battle of Stalingrad - 300000 German troops surrendered = beginning of the Soviet counter offensive
60
Q
Why has the Winter of 1942/43 Been Described as the “Turning of the Tides” for Hitler?
A
- German failure in Stalingrad was major - a large number of soldiers were lost + Russians exploited their success by winning the Battle of Kursk in July 1943 - led red army to liberate Eastern Europe + attack Germany
- British victory in Egypt in November 1942 forced Germany out of North Africa
- Effects were difficult to hide from public - Propaganda couldn’t hide the defeat - Bombing raids wreaked destruction + dislocation. Germany faced total devastation unless they surrendered - JULY BOMB PLOT
61
Q
Describe Hitler’s Continued Obsession with the Jews
A
- New Radical Order created - meant he could eradicate the Jewish community
62
Q
What did Hitler Think Would Happen to the Relationship Between the Western Allies and Russia?
A
- Couldn’t continue as friends after the war
- He thought he’d be able to play one against the other
- Military cooperation continued between the allies + Russia fairly well
- End 1943 = Anglo-American forces had joined in Africa + established hold of southern Italy + Russia was recovering much of the Ukraine
63
Q
Describe D-Day
A
- Allied invasion of Normandy occurred as Allies liberated Paris
- German troops overwhelmed the British resistance - Germany had initially success - however they were outnumbered + retreated
- USA forces joined the Allied forces + blind optimism prevailed
64
Q
Explain the Events of 1945
A
- April 1945 = Soviet soldiers advanced to within a mile of the chancellery in Berlin that Hitler committed suicide
65
Q
Summarise Nazi War Foreign Policy
A
- Before 1942 Germany was doing very well
- Came close to taking Stalingrad + Egypt
However
- Hitler initially believed that it was necessary to avoid war on two fronts - had to have an agreement/neutrality of Britain so that he could attack the east
- Germany failed to do this with Britain - long term failure was clear
- Germany was not ready for the pressure that a war on two fronts would put on resources + economy
- Friendship with Italy not enough - militarily weak
- Failure to destroy Russia as well as American support proved to be destructive for Germany - industrial power + resources if these two industrial giants (+Britain) were aimed at destroying Germany militarily
