The Role of Hitler's Long-Term Plans in the Outbreak of War in 1939
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To what extent was the outbreak of war in 1939 a result of Hitler’s longterm plans?
ESSAY
The outbreak of war in 1939 was undoubtedly influenced by Hitler's long-term plans and ambitions. While there are various interpretations and debates among historians regarding the extent of Hitler's intentions leading to the war, it is clear that his actions and decisions played a significant role in precipitating the conflict.
On one hand, proponents of the intentionalist perspective argue that Hitler had laid out his expansionist goals in his book Mein Kampf and aimed to dismantle the restrictions imposed by the Versailles Treaty. His policies of rearmament, annexation of territories such as Austria and Czechoslovakia, and the invasion of Poland in 1939 align with his long-term objective of creating an empire in Eastern Europe. The decision to withdraw from the League of Nations and the systematic buildup of German military power further exemplified his aggressive intentions.
Conversely, critics of the intentionalist viewpoint suggest that Hitler's actions were more opportunistic than premeditated. They argue that Hitler took advantage of international tensions and diplomatic miscalculations, such as the policy of appeasement pursued by the Western powers, to further his ambitions gradually. The Nazi-Soviet Pact, for instance, was perceived as a tactical move to secure Germany's eastern flank rather than a predetermined step towards war.
Moreover, some historians emphasize the role of contingency and external factors in the outbreak of the war. For instance, the failure of the international community to contain Hitler's ambitions, the strategic miscalculations by other major powers, and the complexities of interwar diplomacy all contributed to the escalation of hostilities in 1939.
In conclusion, while Hitler's long-term plans and ambitions undoubtedly played a significant role in the outbreak of war in 1939, the complexities of international relations, diplomatic miscalculations, and the interplay of various factors must also be considered in understanding the causes of the conflict. The debate regarding the extent to which Hitler's intentions drove the outbreak of war continues to be a subject of historical inquiry and interpretation.
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To what extent was the outbreak of war in 1939 a result of Hitler’s long-term plans?
This is a relatively straightforward question with an obvious approach based on the alternatives of intentionalist vs functionalist (structuralist) theories.
**Agree**
Hitler set out clear intentions in his writings (Mein Kampf) to expand eastwards (Lebensraum) and to overthrow the limiting conditions of the Versailles settlement. His first step was to withdraw from the League of Nations, which was an integral part of the Versailles settlement and this was followed by a series of calculated steps to re-arm Germany, recover lost territory, achieve Anschluss with Austria and then expand eastwards by taking over the Sudetenland, the rest of Czechoslovakia, and finally western Poland, thus beginning the Second World War.
**Disagree**
Though Hitler may have outlined some general ideas, he was basically an opportunist who took risks that could be withdrawn if necessary. For example, if French troops had resisted the re-militarization of the Rhineland, his troops would have been withdrawn. Likewise, the Nazi-Soviet Pact was simply exploiting Stalin’s mistrust of the western allies; it was not a planned or long-term objective. The real failure was the adoption of appeasement by the western allies which allowed Hitler to build up his position to the point where the only way to resist further actions was to go to war against him, something that Hitler did not believe would happen despite warnings from his leading generals.
**Accept any other valid responses**