Hitler’s Foreign Policy Flashcards
What was Hitler’s main desire regarding Germany?
To make Germany a great nation, rid Germany of the Treaty of Versailles, and unite all German-speaking peoples.
What were the main aims of Hitler’s Foreign Policy?
- Reverse the Treaty of Versailles
- Unite all German-speaking people
- Lebensraum (Living Space)
- Anschluss (Union with Austria)
- Destroy Communism
What did Hitler promise regarding the Treaty of Versailles?
To restore lands lost in 1919 and build up the German armed forces.
What is Lebensraum?
Living space needed for uniting all Germans, along with raw materials and resources, primarily sought in the East (Poland and Russia).
What was Anschluss?
The union with Austria, which had been forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles.
What was Hitler’s view of Communism?
He hated the USSR and believed Communists contributed to Germany’s defeat in World War One, seeing them as a Jewish-Bolshevik threat.
What was the perception of Italy at the start of Hitler’s chancellorship?
Italy was viewed as the biggest threat to international peace.
What was the Disarmament Conference?
A 1932-34 meeting of 60 nations to discuss reducing the chance of war, where Germany sought to reduce arms to its lowest level.
What significant action did Hitler take regarding the Disarmament Conference?
He withdrew from the Conference and announced an increase of the German peacetime army to 300,000 and the establishment of a new air force with 1,000 aircraft.
When did Germany withdraw from the League of Nations?
In October 1933.
What was the Non-Aggression Pact with Poland?
A 1934 agreement promising to accept Polish borders and encouraging trade, set to last 10 years.
What was the outcome of the attempted Anschluss with Austria in 1934?
The attempt to seize power failed due to lack of support from Hitler, who was concerned about Mussolini.
What was the plebiscite result for the return of the Saarland in 1935?
477,000 voted to rejoin Germany, while 48,000 voted against.
What major military policy did Hitler introduce in 1935?
He renounced parts of the Treaty of Versailles regarding armed forces and introduced conscription.
What was the Stresa Front?
A coalition of France, Italy, and Britain concerned about Germany’s rearmament that formally protested Hitler’s plans.
What naval treaty was signed between Britain and Germany in June 1935?
A treaty allowing Germany to increase its fleet to 35% the size of Britain’s.
How did the invasion of Abyssinia by Italy affect relations between France, Britain, and Italy?
It destroyed cooperation between them and pushed Mussolini and Hitler closer.
What area did Hitler reoccupy in March 1936?
The Rhineland
The Rhineland had been demilitarised under the Treaty.
What was the response of Britain and France to Hitler’s reoccupation of the Rhineland?
They did not physically react
They were preoccupied with the Abyssinia crisis.
What was the outcome of the referendum regarding the Rhineland occupation?
98.8% voted in favour
This improved Hitler’s popularity.
What was the Rome Berlin Axis?
An agreement between Italy and Germany to work together on mutual interests
It aimed to stop the spread of Communism.
What was the main aim of the Anti-Comintern Pact signed by Hitler in 1936?
To limit the spread of Communism and Soviet influence
It also encouraged Japanese expansion into China.
What were Hitler’s main desires regarding Germany’s status?
- Make Germany a great nation
- Rid Germany of the Treaty of Versailles
- Unite all German-speaking peoples
What actions did Hitler take to encourage the Anschluss with Austria?
- Encouraged Austrian Nazis to stir up trouble
- Ordered bombings and marches
- Bullied the Austrian chancellor
What was the date when German troops marched into Austria?
12th March 1938
The Anschluss was proclaimed on 13th March 1938.
What was the reaction of Britain, France, and the League of Nations to the Anschluss?
They protested but took no action
They followed the policy of appeasement.
What was the Sudetenland Crisis?
A situation where Hitler threatened force to take control of Sudetenland
It contained 3 million Germans and ¾ of Czech industry.
What was the Munich Agreement?
An agreement that transferred Sudetenland to Germany
It involved Germany, France, GB, and Italy.
What was the Pact of Steel?
A full military alliance between Hitler and Mussolini
It included economic cooperation.
What were the key terms of the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
- Not to support any third country if it attacked the other
- Consult each other and not join an alliance aimed at the other
- Secretly invade Poland
- Soviet Union allowed to occupy Baltic states
What triggered the declaration of war by Britain and France on Germany?
The invasion of Poland on 1st September 1939
Britain and France demanded Hitler withdraw but he did not reply.
What military strategy did Germany employ during the invasion of Poland?
Blitzkrieg
This rapid military tactic aimed for swift victories.
