Analysis of Hitler's Foreign Policy Goals, 1933�1941
TITLE
Assess the aims of Hitler’s foreign policy in the period 1933–41.
ESSAY
Hitler's foreign policy in the period 1933-1941 was driven by a complex set of aims and motivations that ultimately had devastating consequences for Europe and the world. The primary goal of Hitler's foreign policy was to overturn the Treaty of Versailles, signed at the end of World War I, which imposed harsh penalties on Germany. Hitler sought to revise the treaty's terms in order to restore Germany's military and territorial power and establish his vision of a Greater Germany.
Another crucial aspect of Hitler's foreign policy was the pursuit of Lebensraum, or living space, in Eastern Europe. Hitler believed that Germany needed to expand its territory to secure resources and ensure its own survival. This expansionist agenda led to aggressive actions towards neighboring countries and ultimately played a significant role in the outbreak of World War II.
Furthermore, Hitler's foreign policy was motivated by a sense of racial imperialism. He sought to establish German dominance over so-called "inferior" races and viewed the conquest of Eastern Europe as a means to achieve this goal. This supremacist ideology fueled atrocities such as the Holocaust and underscored the brutal nature of Hitler's regime.
In addition to territorial and racial ambitions, Hitler aimed to dominate Europe militarily and politically. He sought to strengthen Germany's military capabilities and establish hegemony over the continent. By pursuing a policy of aggression and conquest, Hitler aimed to establish German dominance and secure his position as the master of Europe.
Moreover, Hitler's foreign policy was driven by a desire to avoid a two-front war with the Soviet Union for as long as possible. He sought to first defeat Western Europe before turning his attention to the East. The Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939 was a strategic move to secure Germany's eastern flank while pursuing his expansionist goals in the West.
Hitler also aimed to increase his own popularity and consolidate power at home through his foreign policy initiatives. By appealing to nationalist sentiments and portraying himself as a strong leader who was restoring Germany's greatness, Hitler sought to maintain domestic support for his regime.
Finally, Hitler aimed to make Germany economically self-sufficient through the policy of Autarky, which aimed at reducing Germany's dependence on foreign resources and preparing the country for war. This economic self-sufficiency was crucial for Hitler's ability to pursue his aggressive foreign policy objectives and establish German dominance in Europe.
In conclusion, Hitler's foreign policy in the period 1933-1941 was characterized by a combination of revisionist, expansionist, imperialistic, and militaristic aims. His aggressive pursuit of power and dominance ultimately plunged Europe into war and led to untold suffering and destruction. Hitler's foreign policy decisions were driven by a toxic blend of nationalism, racism, and militarism that had catastrophic consequences for the world.
SUBJECT
HISTORY
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A LEVEL
NOTES
Assess the aims of Hitler’s foreign policy in the period 1933–41.
Hitler had a variety of motives in the period. Revising the Treaty of Versailles, creating a Greater Germany, Lebensraum in Eastern Europe, and arguably racial imperialism. Domination of Europe, military strength, and then arguably global conquest. He also wanted to avoid a two-front war with the Soviet Union for as long as possible and until Western Europe was defeated.
His foreign policy was also designed to increase his own popularity at home, at least in the early years and finally he wanted to make Germany economically self-sufficient using Autarky from 1936 to allow war to be followed as a policy. He intended to make himself the Master of Foreign Policy replacing traditional diplomats such as Von Neurath with Von Ribbentrop and military tactics, replacing Von Blomberg and Von Fritsch with Keitel. From 1933 he wanted German equality and revoked the Treaty of Versailles, left the World Disarmament Conference and then the League of Nations.
1935 saw the Saar Plebiscite and the Anglo-German Naval Treaty, 1936 the reoccupation of the Rhineland, a decisive step, which showed neither France nor Britain would stand up to him at this stage. The Spanish Civil War was simply a chance to test his air force. The Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis was an anti-Soviet alliance and the Hossbach Memorandum of 1937 set out his future plans. 1938 saw the Anschluss and then the Munich Agreement handing Germany the Sudetenland.
Hitler in his foreign policy was playing on the Pro-Appeasement policies of Britain and France whilst regaining territory taken at the Treaty of Versailles. 1939 was a decisive year in his occupation of Rump Czechoslovakia and the Nazi-Soviet Pact of August 1939. The Pact of Steel with Italy might be mentioned here too.
September 1st and the invasion brought war and then Hitler’s aims were to quickly conquer Western Europe which he did apart from Britain. In 1941 Germany launched Operation Barbarossa which has racial and economic and political motives.