Hitler’s ideas and his role in the shaping of Nazi foreign policy

Question 1

When did Hitler write Mein Kampf (“My Struggle”)?

Answer 1

1925

Question 2

What was the name of his later, unpublished work?

Answer 2

Zweites Buch (1928)

Question 3

What are 3 foreign policy aims outlined in Mein Kampf and Zweites Buch?

Answer 3

1. Overturning the ToV
2. Expansion East and establishing lebensraum (“living space”) for German people
3. Seeking alliances with racially superior countries, such as Britain.

Question 4

What theory influenced Hitler’s foreign policy?

Answer 4

Aryan racial theories - a hierarchy of human races

Question 5

Why did Hitler want to expand German territory East?

Answer 5

He believed the races of Eastern Europeans to be inferior.

Question 6

How did racial theories influence Hitler’s foreign policy?

Answer 6

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).

Question 7

What was the name of the Nazi Party’s foreign office set up in 1933?

Answer 7

The Bureau Ribbentrop

Question 8

Who was the leader of the Bureau Ribbentrop?

Answer 8

Joachim von Ribbentrop

Question 9

What did Hitler declare in his speech to the Reichstag in 1933?

Answer 9

He would aim to overturn the terms of the Treaty of Versailles using diplomacy.

Question 10

What did Germany and Poland sign in January 1934?

Answer 10

A non-aggression pact - an agreement that they would not go to war with each other.

Question 11

What did the Nazis fail to negotiate with Poland between 1935 to 1937?

Answer 11

A military alliance.

Question 12

Why were the pacts / discussions with Poland at odds with Hitler’s foreign policy aims?

Answer 12

In Mein Kampf, Hitler stated his aim to expand eastwards in order to create lebensraum and Poland was in the east.

Question 13

When did the Nazis attempt and fail to take control of Austria?

Answer 13

July 1934

Question 14

Why did the Nazis fail to take control of Austria in 1934?

Answer 14

Mussolini moved 40,000 Italian troops to the Austro-Italian frontier, forcing Germany to back down.

Question 15

What area voted to be a part of Germany in January 1935?

Answer 15

The Saarland (previously controlled by the League of Nations) - this was a great propaganda success for the Nazis.

Question 16

When did the Nazis announce that Germany was rearming?

Answer 16

16 March 1935

Question 17

Why was the Nazi rearmament controversial?

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

When did Hitler announce his “Four Year Plan” for the economy?

Answer 18

1936

Question 19

What did Hitler’s “Four Year Plan” for the economy focus on?

Answer 19

The development of a war economy and autarky so that Germany would not have to rely on other countries in time of war.

Question 20

What area did German troops occupy in March 1936?

Answer 20

The Rhineland

Question 21

Which country did Hitler sent Joachim von Ribbentrop to form an alliance with in 1936?

Answer 21

Britain

Question 22

When did Hitler and Italy sign the Rome-Berlin Axis?

Answer 22

November 1936

Question 23

What did the Rome-Berlin Axis between Germany and Italy state?

Answer 23

Mutual support (not military) and political, economic and ideological cooperation.

Question 24

Why was the Rome-Berlin Axis signed?

Answer 24

Germany and Italy were both supporting the Spanish fascists in the Spanish Civil War.

Question 25

Which countries signed the Anti-Comintern Pact against the USSR in November 1936?

Answer 25

Germany and Japan (and later Italy in 1937)

Question 26

What did the Anti-Comintern Pact state?

Answer 26

The nations would do all they could to “safeguard their common interests” from communism.

Question 27

Why did Hitler sign the Anti-Comintern Pact with Japan in 1936?

Answer 27

It was useful or Germany to have an ally on the east of the USSR.

Question 28

What conference took place in November 1937?

Answer 28

The Hossbach Conference

Question 29

What did Hitler state in the Hossbach Conference?

Answer 29

He outlined three war scenarios for Germany for between 1943-45.

Question 30

What did the Hossbach Conference demonstrate?

Answer 30

Hitler’s plans / intentions for war.