✓ The influence of German history on Nazi foreign policy - THE THIRD REICH (not incl notes)

Question 1

Why did Hitler choose to name his rule the Third Reich?

Answer 1

meant to be a Germany returned to its rightful power & place in Europe - focus on 2 previous empires

Question 2

What 2 previous German empires did the Nazis associate themselves with?

Answer 2

the First Reich -
the Holy Roman Empire of Charlemagne (800-1806)
&
the Second Reich -
the German Empire founded in 1871 by Otto von Bismark after Prussia defeated France, Bismark was PM of Prussia & first chancellor of the empire, he died in 1898, by WW1 empire was beginning to fall apart

Question 3

What had the first & second Reich done?

Answer 3

both empires had gained land & kept it by war/ military strength
BUT
worked hard diplomatically for acceptance by other nations
e.g. 2nd R had series of carefully crafted alliances w other nations

Question 4

How did the legacy of the German empires influence Hitler?

Answer 4

used glory for propaganda
BUT ALSO
foreign policy during H’s early years included stressing his desire for peace

Question 5

What did the legacy of the empires also give the Nazis?

Answer 5

credibility - stressed they were ‘continuing’ & ‘restoring’ a great Germany = appealed to germans who wanted a party w a history

Question 6

What historical figures did the Nazis use in their propaganda?

Answer 6

Frederick the Great (ruler of Prussia 1740-86)
+
Bismark
+
Hindenburg

all facing same way w Hitler in front & slogan ‘When the King conquered, the Prince formed, the Field Marshall defended, the soldier saved and unified’

Question 7

What painful memory did the Nazis base this historical propaganda on?

Answer 7

H constantly said,
the glorious past of Germany that made the loss of the First World War and the humiliating treaty that followed all the worse