1. HIST2125 Hitler’s Germany Lecture 13: Expansionist foreign politics, 1938-39 15 November 2012

2. Foreign policy 4-phase-model Revisionist and high-risk foreign politics, 1933-36 Expansionist foreign politics, 1938-39 Blitz Wars and ideological warfare, 1939-42 Total War and downfall, 1943-45

3. Austria ☻ ☺ Anschluß (annexation), Mar-Apr 1938: Hitler’s home country + historical & economic factors No intervention of Britain & Italy Austrian’s enthusiastic welcome of Hitler → planned forceful subordination becomes peaceful Anschluß Plebiscite in both G & A: 99% supportive of Anschluß

4. Sudeten Crisis, summer 1938 3,5 million Sudeten Germans in CZ opposed to Prague Hitler’s ideologically-driven expansionist goals Wehrmacht’s military-strategic considerations Hitler’s demand for cession of Sudetenland Appeasement policy of Chamberlain

7. Appeasement Policy Historical experiences Belief in peaceful solutions Disillusionment with Versailles Treaty Fear of communism

8. Munich Agreement, 30 Sep 1938 Treaty of Britain-France-Germany-Italy: German occupation of Sudetenland British-French guarantee for remaining CZ German-British declaration of non-aggression and consultation No further German territorial demands on CZ

9. Protectorate Bohemia-Moravia, Mar 1939 Hitler’s high-risk policy to ‘smash CZ by military action’ President Hácha relinquishes CZ to Germany: No foreign intervention Slovakia’s ‘independence’, 14 Mar Occupation of rest-CZ by Germany, 15 Mar Creation of ‘Protectorate’ with limited sovereignty under German protection = Slap-in-the-face for Chamberlain & appeasement policy

10. Consequences Violation of Munich Agreement tolerated but not accepted by Western powers Hitler no longer seen as ‘revisionist’ but aggressor GB guarantee of PL freedom with tacit support of USA (31 Mar 1939) USA as armament provider for GB + F Strong boost for possible future Anglo-American war alliance

11. Stahlpakt (Pact of Steel), May 1939 Offensive German-Italian military alliance: Continuation of Berlin-Rome Axis Close cooperation in war economy & military matters Common agreement on future truces & peace treaties = Highly important for Hitler’s decision to go to war = In reality not much cooperation with Mussolini

12. Interpretations: Hitler’s Role in foreign policy Intentionalist, programmatist, Hitlerist school: Hitler’s ideological goals shaped consistent foreign policy Foreign policy’s broad outlines and objectives were ‘programmed’ long in advance Structuralist, functionalist school: No program: Foreing policy with unclear & unspecific ways & aims Foreign policy more result of uncontrollable dynamism & radicalizing momentum of NSDAP and government offices

13. Integrated School Hitler’s major initiatives & vital decisions Hitler’s fresh, unorthodox line ≠ other power groups’ suspicions & objections Hitler attentive to ‘structural’ domestic & external limiting factors No evidence of ‘weak dictator’ = Hitler with dominant role in foreign policy decisions