How far was Hitler's early foreign policy 1933-5 directed towards war?

Question 1

Introduction:

Answer 1

The early stages of Hitler’s foreign policy were quite tame compared with what followed. It was not clear to begin with that Hitler was heading towards war in Europe. Much of what he did in this period could be interpreted as trying to achieve equality with the western powers such as Britain and France

Question 2

1933

Answer 2

• Germany refused to pay any more reparations, walked out of the World Disarmament Conference, and left the League of Nations
• These were Hitler’s first strikes against the Versailles Settlement. Germany also began to rearm in secret

Question 3

January 1934

Answer 3

• Ten-year non-aggression pact with Poland agreed
• This would remove the prospect of war with Poland if Hitler decided to make a move against Austria or Czechoslovakia

Question 4

July 1934

Answer 4

• Attempted union or Anschluss with Austria
• This followed the murder of the Austrian Chancellor Dollfuss by Austrian Nazis. In the resulting confusion, Hitler was poised to strike but Mussolini signalled his disapproval by moving Italian troops to the Brenner Pass. Hitler backed down and denied any responsibility for the murder of Dollfuss

Question 5

January 1935

Answer 5

• Saar plebiscite
• This took place in accordance with the Treaty of Versailles. The results showed that over 90% were in favour of a return to Germany. Germany had now regained its first piece of lost territory by legal and peaceful means

Question 6

March 1935

Answer 6

• Reintroduction of conscription
• This was a direct challenge to the Allied powers, Britain, France, and Italy. Hitler announced his intention of building up the army to 36 divisions (550 000 men) together with the creation of a military air force. The Allies responded with the formation of the Stresa Front. Hitler got away with it, although his actions prompted France and Soviet Russia, followed by Soviet Russia and Czechoslovakia, to sign mutual assistance pacts

Question 7

June 1935

Answer 7

• Anglo German Naval Agreement
• The pact allowed Germany to have a fleet that was 35% the size of Britain’s, with submarines at 45%. This pact essentially legalised German naval rearmament and was made without obtaining the prior agreement of France or Italy. This gave the impression that it was quite in order for countries to pursue their national interests regardless of others. Mussolini felt encouraged to apply the same selfish principle to extending Italy’s colonies

Question 8

Stresa Front

Answer 8

A united stand made by Britain, France, and Italy against Hitler’s violations of the disarmament clauses of the Treaty of Versailles announced in March 1935. The Front issued a strongly worded protest. It was soon undermined when Britain negotiated the Anglo-German Naval Agreement of June 1935