Hitler’s foreign policy Flashcards by Livia Buxton

Hitlers foreign policy aims

Reverse TOV
Unite all German speaking people
Lebensraum/ gain living space
Destroy communism

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Reversing TOV aim

Hitler blamed it for many of Germanys economic and political troubles

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Unite all German speaking people aim

To create a greater Germany
As following the TOV many German speaking people didn’t live in Germany but Sudetenland etc

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Lebensraum aim

Hitler believed the aryan race was superior to Slavs in Eastern Europe
So he wanted more land to accommodated this ‘race’ as he believed them to be superior

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Destroy communism aim

Hitler hated the existence of the Soviet Union and its policies
So he wanted to take it over

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The disarmament conference 1932

Italy seen by League of Nations as most of a threat
Germany demanded all countries reduce weapons to their level

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Disarmament conference result

No one agreed with Hitlers plans
So he withdrew and began secretly building up germanys army in spite of TOV

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When did Hitler leave League of Nations?

1933

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Non aggression act with poland 1934

Hitler accepted polish boarders
Encouraged trading

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Result of the non aggression act with Poland

Hitler didn’t have to fear attacks from poland
France frustrated since they were trading with Poland already

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Events of first attempted Anschluss in 1934

Austrian Nazi party were campaigning for it but outlawed by Austrian chancellor (Dolfuss)
They overtook radio stations and assassinated Dolfuss

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Result of first attempted Anschluss

Hitler didn’t support it as he was concerned Mussolini wouldn’t support it
So ultimately failed

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Where is the Saar?

South west boarder of Germany, at the time being controlled by League of Nations

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Saarland 1935 return

Plebiscite held where over 90% voted to unite with Germany again

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Was the Saarland a fair election?

No because allegations of intimidation and causing blockades
As well as intimidation of jewish people

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1935 renouncing of treaty of Versailles

Hitler admitted to secretly rearming since the disarmament conference:
Introduced conscription
The army, navy and airforce Built up

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How did the allies react to Germany building up their army?

They condemned it but did nothing
But then Britain just formed a treaty with Germany despite this

How did Hitler justify rebuilding the army?

Because other countries were so this was self defence as they felt vulnerable
Provided more jobs and made Germans feel strong again

How big was germanys army in 1935?

550,000

Stressa front 1935

Despite Britain condemning it and breaching TOV,
Britain signed treaty with Germany to increase navy to 35% of Britains

Stressa front results

Encouraged Hitler to further his abolition of tov rather than satisfy him and stop
Britain directly allowed this to happen

Abyssinia

Empire of Ethiopia

Abyssinia crisis 1935

Italy invaded Abyssinia against the League of Nations
But France and Britain were caught secretly making agreements to give Abyssinia to italy

Results of Abyssinia crisis

Both Italy + Germany closer together
Destroyed cooperation between the allies and axis
Britain and France preoccupied to ignore any of germanys moves
Britain and France ignored the league = now powerless to stop Germany

Original plan for the Rhineland

Be occupies by allies until 1935 then withdraw troops

What did Hitler do after allies withdrew troops from Rhineland?

Reoccupied it with troops As over 98% were in favour of it

How did allies respond to German occupation of the Rhineland?

Too occupied with Italy and Abyssinia So Hitler found it easier to disobey tov and defy orders more

Rome Berlin axis 1936

Italy + Germany agreed to work together Followed a common foreign policy eg destroy communism

Anticomintern pact 1936

Signed treaty with Japan to stop spread of communism and influence of soviet union

Successful Anschluss with austria 1938

Hitler told Austrian Nazis to: Bomb public buildings Bully Austrian chancellor into accepting 2 Nazis to cabinet Closer economic ties with Germany Eventually was replaced by Nazi chancellor who united both countries

How did the allies respond to the successful Anschluss with Austria?

Nothing lol But Mussolini accepted it this time

Appeasement

The act of attempting to satisfy an aggressive country by making compromises to avoid war

How did France and Britain use appeasement?

They let Germany and Italy defy TOV and League of Nations and take territory without causing conflict To avoid ww2

What was the Sudetenland?

Parts of land apart of Czechoslovakia With German speaking people Was originally park fo Germany before TOV

What was Hitlers plans with Sudetenland?

Wanted to unite it with Germany Also worried Soviet Union would invade Germany through it So would annex it then all of Czechoslovakia

How did Hitler take control of Czechoslovakia?

Germans there told to stir up trouble Threatened to use war if czechs didn’t accept

Múnich agreement

France and Britain allowed Hitler to take the Sudetenland as apart of appeasement But Czechoslovakia not invited

Why did appeasement policy end?

Because Hitler broke the Munich agreement by taking the rest of Czechoslovakia Allies suspicious of axis intentions

What did Britain + France sign with Poland?

Worried Germany would invade Poland, they signed a pact to guarantee its boarders from attack

1939 Pact of Steel

Hitler + Mussolini in full military allegiance with each other