Hitler's Foreign Policy: Coherence or Opportunism?

Hitler's foreign policy between 1933 and 1941 can be argued to have followed a clear plan, although there is debate surrounding whether he had a master plan or if he simply reacted to events. It is also possible to take a compromise position, suggesting that Hitler had a clear vision but was willing to be flexible within it.

One of Hitler's main aims in his foreign policy was to revise and overturn the Treaty of Versailles. From 1933 onwards, he sought to establish German equality and revoked the treaty. He also left the World Disarmament Conference and the League of Nations, showing his disregard for international agreements.

Another aim of Hitler's foreign policy was to re-unite all German speakers in a Greater Germany. This can be seen in his actions such as the Anschluss in 1938, where Germany annexed Austria, and the Munich Agreement, which handed Germany the Sudetenland. These actions were in line with Hitler's goal of regaining territory taken from Germany at the Treaty of Versailles.

Hitler also had ambitions for Lebensraum, or living space, in Eastern Europe. This can be seen in his occupation of Rump Czechoslovakia in 1939 and the Nazi-Soviet Pact of August 1939. The pact with the Soviet Union was a Faustian pact between two dictators who distrusted each other, but it allowed Hitler to avoid a war on two fronts and focus on his plans for Eastern Europe.

Furthermore, Hitler's foreign policy aimed at the subjugation of 'inferior' races. This can be seen in his racial and political motives behind Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. Hitler believed in the superiority of the Aryan race and sought to conquer and exploit Eastern Europe for its resources.

However, there are also examples of pragmatism in Hitler's foreign policy. For instance, his reoccupation of the Rhineland in 1936 was a decisive step that showed neither France nor Britain would stand up to him at that stage. This can be seen as a reaction to the policy of Appeasement carried out by Britain and France, as Hitler took advantage of their reluctance to confront him.

Another example of pragmatism is the Nazi-Soviet Pact, which can be seen as inconsistent with Hitler's earlier actions. This pact was a strategic move to avoid a war on two fronts, but it went against Hitler's ideological beliefs and his previous anti-Soviet stance.

In conclusion, Hitler's foreign policy between 1933 and 1941 can be seen as following a clear plan. His aims included revising the Treaty of Versailles, re-uniting all German speakers, acquiring Lebensraum in Eastern Europe, subjugating 'inferior' races, and avoiding a war on two fronts. While there are examples of pragmatism and flexibility within his plan, the overall trajectory of Hitler's foreign policy demonstrates a clear vision and purpose.