Hitler's Foreign Policy Flashcards
What were Hitler’s Foreign Policy aims?
To abolish the TOV; to expand German territory and gain Lebensraum (living space) with land taken from Eastern Europe; to create a greater German Reich; to destroy Communism
What were the differences between Hitler and Streseman’s foreign policies?
The policies themselves were very similar, however whilst Stresemann was willing to work cooperatively with other nations to achieve his aims peacefully, Hitler was prepared to use force
When did rearmament and conscription begin?
1934 - both broke the Treaty of Versailles
Following Germany beginning to rearm and conscription being reinstated, who formed what front?
Britain, France and Italy formed the Stresa Front - condemning German conscription and agreeing to stand together against German aggression.
When and what was the German-Anglo Naval Agreement?
1935, treaty between Britain and Germany, agreed that German Navy could be 35% the size of the Royal Navy, so never able to challenge the Royal Navy. This broke the TOV, the Stresa Front collapsed, and the Saar Land voted to rejoin Germany - propaganda boost
When and what was the Rome-Berlin Axis?
1936 - an agreement stating that Italy and Germany would work together on matters of common interest
When and what was the Pact of Steel?
1939 - a full military alliance. It ended hopes that Britain and France would be able to drive a wedge between Hitler and Mussolini.
What did Hitler sign with the Japanese?
Anti-Comintern (communist) Pact
When and what was the joining with Austria?
13th March 1938, Anschluss
What was the population of Austria?
7 million
When did Hitler first aim to join with Austria?
He had wanted Anschluss since 1934.
When did Hitler demand the Sudetenland?
1938
Why did Hitler want the Sudetenland?
Population of 3.25 German speakers; rich in raw materials; contained Czechoslovakia’s defences; contained most Czech industry - strengthened Reich economically and militarily
What and when was the Munich Conference?
1938 - Hitler was appeased and given the Sudetenland to avoid conflict
Neville Chamberlain famously said (of the Munich Conference)…
it was “peace in our time”.
When was the Rhineland remilitarised?
1936
What did the Nazis and Communists sign and when?
Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact, August 1939. Hitler knew that if he attacked Poland, which he desired as Lebensraum, without this pact Stalin would intervene and attack Germany. Secretly, they planned to divide Poland between them.
When did German troops invade Poland?
September 1st, 1939
When was war declared?
Britain declared war on September the 3rd 1939
Why was appeasement used?
Horrors of WW1 remembered and so they wished to avoid another war; many politicians felt TOV was too harsh; Britain more concerned about Communism than Nazism; effects of economic depression served as deterrent; appeasement gave Britain another year to prepare for war.
