1. Hitler’s Foreign Policies
World War II: Hitler’s War?

2. Introduction Problems in peacekeeping in the 1920s
Aggressive expansion in the 1930s
Winston Churchill though, called WWI “Hitler’s War”
Had a master plan for dominating Europe
Reunite German Empire and conquer Eastern Europe
War was inevitable
Turning point 1935: Germany rearmed

3. Transformation of Nazi Party
Hitler wrote a ‘Secret Book’ in 1928
Developed foreign policy from Mein Kampf
Stated there would be a struggle between US and German/British Empires
Wrote about admiration for Mussolini and anger towards Chancellor Gustav Stresemann, who sought to return Germany to pre-1914 borders
Thought it was far too limited, wanted the USSR

4. Revising the Treaty of Versailles
Hitler tries to revise Treaty of Versailles
Attacked reparations, had been suspended, announced they would not be resumed
Most had already accepted this
Decision to rearm caused the real problem
Withdrawal from Disarmament Conference 1933
Increased military spending by five times
Withdrew from League in 33, rest of the world economically down

5. Subsequent Steps Non-Aggression Pact with Poland in 1934
Secured his eastern border for now
Undermined Franco-Polish Alliance
Sought to unify Austria with Germany
Pro-Nazi coup in Austria unsuccessful though
Re-united Saar with Germany
1935, announced compulsory military service, armaments program, declared existence of 500,000 army and air force

6. European Response Britain, France, Italy created Stresa Front
Did not say how they would stop Hitler
Meaningless in a month when Britain and Germany signed a Naval Agreement
Allowed for a larger German navy, Britain’s individual attempt at limiting him
Hitler intimidating Europe
League cooked after Abyssinia Crisis in 1935

7. German Remilitarization
1936 turned his attention to western border
Versailles had made the Rhineland a demilitarized zone
Key for France
Hitler’s army and confidence growing
Sent 10,000 troops and 23,000 armed police into the Rhineland in March 1936
No response from British or France
Division in France, British against resistance

8. Hitler in Spanish Civil War
Italy and Germany grew closer as a result of Abyssinian Crisis
Together supported Franco
Nevermore than 10,000 Germans, 70,000 Italians
Wanted to test out Germany’s improved forces
Responsible for Guernica in 1937

9. Building Support Rome-Berlin Axis created in late 1936
Anti-Comintern Pact with Japan same time
Italy joined the pact in 1937
Thought they could use Japan to counter Britain and Russia in Asia
Would meet less resistance to his expansionist aims in Europe

10. Hossbach Memorandum 1937, called a meeting in the Reich
Key military leaders present
Opened by saying how important the discussion was, said it was essentially his will
Key aim was preserve racial community
Set a time-table, pre-1943
Considered threats from France and seizing territory
Focused on concrete armament
Three people who opposed him here all were replaced

11. Anschluss March 1938, Hitler sent troops into Austria
Encountered no military resistance
Britain said it had been wrong to force a separation between Germany and Austria
Austrian Chancellor had called for a popular vote
99.75% for Hitler
Now had Austrian forces, gold and iron

12. Takeover of Czechoslovakia
Next action against the Sudetenland
Czech leader appealed for help from Britain and France
France agreed, Britain agreed, USSR will
May 1938, Hitler said he would fight for it
Czechs had strong army and guarantees of support

13. Munich Conference British PM Chamberlain met with Hitler Sept. 1938
Originally compromised
Second meeting Hitler increased his demands, wanted all Sudetenland
Britain mobilized its navy
Final meeting, Britain, France, Italy give Hitler an ultimatum, gave him the land he wanted but nothing more
Did not consult with Czechs or Soviets
Renewed arms race
March 1939, Hitler occupied rest of Czech

14. Full Timeline 1938 1939 1940 1941 1928 ‘Secret Book’ Anschluss 1933
Invasion of the Sudetenland
Withdrawal from the League
Munich Conference
1934
Invasion of Czechoslovakia
Non-Aggression Pact with Poland
1939
1935
Nazi-Soviet Pact
Rearmament
Invasion of Poland
Anglo-German Naval Agreement
1940
1936
Tripartite Pact
Re-militarization of the Rhineland
1941
Anti-Comintern Pact with Japan
Invasion of the Soviet Union
Intervention in the Spanish Civil War
Declaration of War on the United States
Rome-Berlin Axis
1937
Hossbach Memorandum
Italy joins the Anti-Comintern Pact

15. Modified Munich Conference Simulation
Britain, France, Italy, USSR*