Hitler's Foreign Policy

Question 1

What were Hitler’s Foreign Policy aims?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What were the differences between Hitler and Streseman’s foreign policies?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

When did rearmament and conscription begin?

Answer 3

1934 - both broke the Treaty of Versailles

Question 4

Following Germany beginning to rearm and conscription being reinstated, who formed what front?

Answer 4

Britain, France and Italy formed the Stresa Front - condemning German conscription and agreeing to stand together against German aggression.

Question 5

When and what was the German-Anglo Naval Agreement?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

When and what was the Rome-Berlin Axis?

Answer 6

1936 - an agreement stating that Italy and Germany would work together on matters of common interest

Question 7

When and what was the Pact of Steel?

Answer 7

1939 - a full military alliance. It ended hopes that Britain and France would be able to drive a wedge between Hitler and Mussolini.

Question 8

What did Hitler sign with the Japanese?

Answer 8

Anti-Comintern (communist) Pact

Question 9

When and what was the joining with Austria?

Answer 9

13th March 1938, Anschluss

Question 10

What was the population of Austria?

Answer 10

7 million

Question 11

When did Hitler first aim to join with Austria?

Answer 11

He had wanted Anschluss since 1934.

Question 12

When did Hitler demand the Sudetenland?

Answer 12

1938

Question 13

Why did Hitler want the Sudetenland?

Answer 13

Population of 3.25 German speakers; rich in raw materials; contained Czechoslovakia’s defences; contained most Czech industry - strengthened Reich economically and militarily

Question 14

What and when was the Munich Conference?

Answer 14

1938 - Hitler was appeased and given the Sudetenland to avoid conflict

Question 15

Neville Chamberlain famously said (of the Munich Conference)…

Answer 15

it was “peace in our time”.

Question 16

When was the Rhineland remilitarised?

Answer 16

1936

Question 17

What did the Nazis and Communists sign and when?

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

When did German troops invade Poland?

Answer 18

September 1st, 1939

Question 19

When was war declared?

Answer 19

Britain declared war on September the 3rd 1939

Question 20

Why was appeasement used?

Answer 20

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.