Hitler’s Foreign Policy Goals and Early Actions
Hitler aimed to overturn the Treaty of Versailles, which he and many Germans viewed as humiliating and unjust. His goals included rearming Germany, uniting all German-speaking peoples, and expanding German territory to provide Lebensraum (living space) in Eastern Europe.
From 1933, Hitler began rearming Germany, violating the Treaty’s military restrictions. In 1935, conscription was reintroduced, and the Luftwaffe (air force) was established.
In 1935, the Saar region was returned to Germany after a League of Nations plebiscite, boosting Hitler’s confidence and popularity. In 1936, the remilitarization of the Rhineland was a direct challenge to the Treaty and the League, as German troops entered this demilitarized zone without opposition. This bold move strengthened Hitler’s position and weakened the credibility of the League of Nations.
- Overturn Treaty of Versailles and restore German power.
- Rearmament including conscription and Luftwaffe.
- Saar plebiscite returns territory to Germany.
- Remilitarization of Rhineland challenges international order.
International Alliances and Conflicts
Hitler sought alliances to strengthen Germany’s position. The Rome-Berlin Axis (1936) aligned Germany with Fascist Italy, and the Anti-Comintern Pact (1936) united Germany, Italy, and Japan against communism, particularly the Soviet Union.
Germany’s involvement in the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) supported Franco’s Nationalists, testing military tactics and strengthening ties with Italy.
The Anschluss in 1938 annexed Austria into Germany, fulfilling Hitler’s goal of uniting German-speaking peoples. This was done without military opposition, highlighting the weakness of international resistance.
- Rome-Berlin Axis and Anti-Comintern Pact solidify alliances.
- Spanish Civil War involvement tests military and alliances.
- Anschluss unites Austria with Germany without opposition.
The Crisis in Czechoslovakia and the Munich Agreement
Hitler demanded the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with a large ethnic German population. Britain and France, fearing war, pursued appeasement, culminating in the Munich Agreement (September 1938).
The agreement allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland without Czechoslovakian consent, in exchange for Hitler’s promise of no further territorial claims.
This policy of appeasement failed to prevent war; it emboldened Hitler, who saw Western powers as weak and unwilling to confront aggression.
- Sudetenland crisis tests European diplomacy.
- Munich Agreement permits German annexation of Sudetenland.
- Appeasement encourages further German aggression.
The Nazi-Soviet Pact and the Polish Crisis
In August 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Nazi-Soviet Pact, a non-aggression treaty that shocked the world. It included secret protocols to divide Eastern Europe into spheres of influence.
This pact removed the threat of a two-front war for Germany, enabling Hitler to plan the invasion of Poland with less risk.
The invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 triggered Britain and France to declare war on Germany, marking the official start of World War II in Europe.
- Nazi-Soviet Pact secures German eastern border.
- Secret agreement to divide Eastern Europe.
- Invasion of Poland leads to Britain and France declaring war.
The Role of the Treaty of Versailles, League of Nations, and Appeasement
The Treaty of Versailles left Germany economically weakened and territorially reduced, fostering resentment that Hitler exploited to justify his aggressive policies.
The League of Nations failed to act decisively against German violations such as the remilitarization of the Rhineland and the Anschluss, undermining collective security.
Appeasement by Britain and France was motivated by the desire to avoid another war and the belief that some of Hitler’s demands were reasonable. However, it ultimately failed to contain German expansionism.
- Treaty of Versailles created grievances exploited by Hitler.
- League of Nations’ inability to enforce peace encouraged aggression.
- Appeasement delayed but did not prevent war.
At-a-glance summary
Comparison table
| Step | Detail | Example | Exam Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treaty of Versailles | Created German resentment and desire to revise post-war order | Germany’s loss of territory and military restrictions | Explain how Versailles influenced Hitler’s aims |
| League of Nations | Failed to enforce peace or punish aggression | No action against Rhineland remilitarization | Discuss League’s weakness in 1930s |
| Appeasement | Policy to avoid war by conceding to some demands | Munich Agreement allowing Sudetenland annexation | Evaluate appeasement’s impact on war outbreak |
| Nazi-Soviet Pact | Non-aggression pact with secret territorial division | Agreement enabling invasion of Poland | Assess pact’s role in enabling German aggression |
| Declaration of War | Britain and France’s response to invasion of Poland | War declared on Germany 3 September 1939 | Explain why war was declared in 1939 |
Active recall
Quick check
1. What was the significance of the remilitarization of the Rhineland in 1936?
It was a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaties, testing the resolve of Britain and France; their inaction encouraged further German aggression.
2. Why did Britain and France adopt a policy of appeasement towards Hitler?
They wanted to avoid another war, believed some of Hitler’s demands were reasonable, and were unprepared militarily for conflict.
3. How did the Nazi-Soviet Pact affect Hitler’s plans for Poland?
It ensured the Soviet Union would not oppose Germany’s invasion, removing the risk of a two-front war and enabling the attack on Poland.
4. What event triggered Britain and France to declare war on Germany?
Germany’s invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 led Britain and France to declare war on 3 September 1939.