Hitler’s ideas and his role in the shaping of Nazi foreign policy Flashcards
When did Hitler write Mein Kampf (“My Struggle”)?
1925
What was the name of his later, unpublished work?
Zweites Buch (1928)
What are 3 foreign policy aims outlined in Mein Kampf and Zweites Buch?
- Overturning the ToV
- Expansion East and establishing lebensraum (“living space”) for German people
- Seeking alliances with racially superior countries, such as Britain.
What theory influenced Hitler’s foreign policy?
Aryan racial theories - a hierarchy of human races
Why did Hitler want to expand German territory East?
He believed the races of Eastern Europeans to be inferior.
How did racial theories influence Hitler’s foreign policy?
It determined where he wanted to expand (i.e. eastwards) and who he wanted to be in alliances with (i.e. Britain who he saw as racially superior).
What was the name of the Nazi Party’s foreign office set up in 1933?
The Bureau Ribbentrop
Who was the leader of the Bureau Ribbentrop?
Joachim von Ribbentrop
What did Hitler declare in his speech to the Reichstag in 1933?
He would aim to overturn the terms of the Treaty of Versailles using diplomacy.
What did Germany and Poland sign in January 1934?
A non-aggression pact - an agreement that they would not go to war with each other.
What did the Nazis fail to negotiate with Poland between 1935 to 1937?
A military alliance.
Why were the pacts / discussions with Poland at odds with Hitler’s foreign policy aims?
In Mein Kampf, Hitler stated his aim to expand eastwards in order to create lebensraum and Poland was in the east.
When did the Nazis attempt and fail to take control of Austria?
July 1934
Why did the Nazis fail to take control of Austria in 1934?
Mussolini moved 40,000 Italian troops to the Austro-Italian frontier, forcing Germany to back down.
What area voted to be a part of Germany in January 1935?
The Saarland (previously controlled by the League of Nations) - this was a great propaganda success for the Nazis.
When did the Nazis announce that Germany was rearming?
16 March 1935
Why was the Nazi rearmament controversial?
It went against the terms of the ToV - Hitler set up a army of 550,000 and the existence of the Luftwaffe (air force) was announced.
When did Hitler announce his “Four Year Plan” for the economy?
1936
What did Hitler’s “Four Year Plan” for the economy focus on?
The development of a war economy and autarky so that Germany would not have to rely on other countries in time of war.
What area did German troops occupy in March 1936?
The Rhineland
Which country did Hitler sent Joachim von Ribbentrop to form an alliance with in 1936?
Britain
When did Hitler and Italy sign the Rome-Berlin Axis?
November 1936
What did the Rome-Berlin Axis between Germany and Italy state?
Mutual support (not military) and political, economic and ideological cooperation.
Why was the Rome-Berlin Axis signed?
Germany and Italy were both supporting the Spanish fascists in the Spanish Civil War.
