Untitled Deck Flashcards
What did Fritz Fischer argue about Germany’s foreign policy?
Fritz Fischer argued that the German government had a long-standing plan for aggressive expansion and domination of Europe, which was a major factor in causing World War I.
Example: German war aims were driven by a desire for world power and global dominance.
What were the key objectives of Germany’s foreign policy during World War I according to Fischer?
Key objectives included the annexation of Belgium, territorial expansion in France, creation of a Mitteleuropa, and domination of Eastern Europe.
Who was Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg?
Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg was the German Chancellor during the crucial years of the First World War, who pursued an aggressive expansionist agenda.
What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (1918) was imposed by Germany on Soviet Russia, exemplifying Germany’s aims to control the Baltic states, Ukraine, and parts of Belarus.
What did A.J.P. Taylor argue about Hitler’s foreign policy?
A.J.P. Taylor argued that Hitler continued the foreign policy of his predecessors and was a traditional German statesman.
What was the primary goal of Hitler’s foreign policy according to Taylor?
The primary goal of Hitler’s foreign policy was Eastern expansion, aiming to bring Austria, Poland, and Ukraine back into the German sphere of influence.
How did Hitler’s ideology differ from previous German leaders?
Hitler’s policies were driven by virulent racism and a belief in the superiority of the Aryan race, which marked a departure from the aims of previous leaders.
What methods did Hitler use in his foreign policy?
Hitler’s methods included coercion, threats, and the outright rejection of international norms, contrasting sharply with the diplomacy of his predecessors.
What was the significance of the Locarno Pact?
The Locarno Pact was a major achievement of Weimar diplomacy, fostering a sense of reconciliation with France and Belgium.
How did Bismarck’s approach to foreign policy differ from Hitler’s?
Bismarck was known for skillful diplomacy and maintaining a balance of power, while Hitler’s foreign policy was characterized by pressure and threats.
What did PMH Bell argue about the continuity of German foreign policy?
PMH Bell argued that while there were similarities between the objectives of Kaiser’s Germany and Hitler’s aims, the methods and ideology marked a significant break.
What was the Weimar Republic’s approach to foreign policy?
The Weimar Republic emphasized cooperation over confrontation, seeking to improve Germany’s international standing and revise the Versailles Treaty.
What was the role of Gustav Stresemann in Weimar foreign policy?
Gustav Stresemann was a central figure in Weimar foreign policy, adopting peaceful methods to restore Germany’s status and territory.
What was the impact of Hitler’s radical ideology on foreign policy?
Hitler’s radical ideology transformed foreign policy into a vehicle for achieving racial supremacy and annihilating perceived enemies.
What did Richard J. Evans say about Taylor’s view on Nazi foreign policy?
Richard J. Evans noted that Taylor underestimated the centrality of ideological and racial elements in Nazi foreign policy.
What was the temptation regarding continuity in German foreign policy?
The temptation to assume continuity was strong, as it provided a psychological balm by shifting responsibility for violations of international law to previous generations.
What damage did advocates of continuity in German foreign policy do?
They obscured important differences between the imperialistic impulses of the Empire of Wilhelm II and the calculated program of the Nazi regime.
What characterized the Nazi ideology in terms of foreign policy?
The Nazi ideology was rooted in a noxious amalgam of racism and Social Darwinism, leading to a program of conquest and extermination.
How does the Weimar period challenge the idea of continuity in German foreign policy?
The proposition of unbroken continuity founders on the Weimar period, particularly during the six years of Gustav Stresemann’s policy leadership.
What was untrue about the assertion of continuity in German foreign policy?
It is untrue to say that it was merely a continuation of previous policies, as significant territorial expansion ideas did not exist before 1914.
What were Hitler’s aims for Germany’s future?
Hitler aimed for a territory where 250 million Germans could be self-supporting in a hundred years.
What elements in Hitler’s foreign policy derived from pre-1914 radical nationalism?
The main elements included pan-German longing for territorial unity, pursuit of Lebensraum, and pursuit of Weltpolitik.
