1933 - 1937; Hitler
Foreign Policy: a government’s plan on how to deal with other countries.
Hitler’s foreign policy aims;
● Destroy communism - he persecuted communists in germany
● Militarism - seen as a strength and prepared germany
● Racial theory - Aryans were seen as a superior race
● Lebensraum - living space for germans
Hitler’s actions;
➔ Left the league 1933 - thought Germany was treated unfairly - Britain and France
did nothing as they were dealing with the Manchurian crisis and great depression. It
wasn’t seen as a threat. - made the league seem weak that another member left after
japan.
➔ Rearmament 1933-35 - wanted to boost German support and prestige through army
commanders - Britain allowed up to 35% of Britain's navy. France became distrustful
of Britain and sought an alliance with Stalin - he damaged the league's relationship
with Germany - hitler was clearly preparing for war and world peace was at risk.
➔ The Saar 1935 - claimed the Saar should be part of germany - britain and france
allowed a plebiscite to be held - nearly 90% voted to join hitler’s germany - league
appeared weaker.
➔ Remilitarisation of the Rhineland 1936 - hitler claimed that he was being encircled
after france and the USSR agreed to protect each other - britain and france were too
concerned with the abyssinian crisis that no action was taken - hitler had gotten away
with it.
➔ The Spanish Civil War 1936 - he wanted to test his weapons by supplying troops,
aircraft and other equipment - Britain and France did not want to intervene with the
war - USSR became suspicious of Britain and France as they did not oppose
germany.
➔ The Anti-Comintern Pact 1936-1937 - he disliked communism - Britain and France
let them get away with it - war was inevitable as an alliance had been created -
countries were now picking sides.
Appeasement; trying to please someone through diplomacy to avoid conflict
Appeasement 1937-1938
Examples of appeasement;
● Anschluss 1938 - hitler unites germany with austria - used the nazi party to cause
trouble in austria then used it as an excuse to restore order - held a plebscite -
99.75% in favour of anschluss.
Britain and France did nothing and thought ww1 treaties were unfair - hitler believed
that nothing would be done to preserve the treaty of Versailles - considered that
perhaps the allies were not prepared for war.
1
Foreign Policy: a government’s plan on how to deal with other countries.
Hitler’s foreign policy aims;
● Destroy communism - he persecuted communists in germany
● Militarism - seen as a strength and prepared germany
● Racial theory - Aryans were seen as a superior race
● Lebensraum - living space for germans
Hitler’s actions;
➔ Left the league 1933 - thought Germany was treated unfairly - Britain and France
did nothing as they were dealing with the Manchurian crisis and great depression. It
wasn’t seen as a threat. - made the league seem weak that another member left after
japan.
➔ Rearmament 1933-35 - wanted to boost German support and prestige through army
commanders - Britain allowed up to 35% of Britain's navy. France became distrustful
of Britain and sought an alliance with Stalin - he damaged the league's relationship
with Germany - hitler was clearly preparing for war and world peace was at risk.
➔ The Saar 1935 - claimed the Saar should be part of germany - britain and france
allowed a plebiscite to be held - nearly 90% voted to join hitler’s germany - league
appeared weaker.
➔ Remilitarisation of the Rhineland 1936 - hitler claimed that he was being encircled
after france and the USSR agreed to protect each other - britain and france were too
concerned with the abyssinian crisis that no action was taken - hitler had gotten away
with it.
➔ The Spanish Civil War 1936 - he wanted to test his weapons by supplying troops,
aircraft and other equipment - Britain and France did not want to intervene with the
war - USSR became suspicious of Britain and France as they did not oppose
germany.
➔ The Anti-Comintern Pact 1936-1937 - he disliked communism - Britain and France
let them get away with it - war was inevitable as an alliance had been created -
countries were now picking sides.
Appeasement; trying to please someone through diplomacy to avoid conflict
Appeasement 1937-1938
Examples of appeasement;
● Anschluss 1938 - hitler unites germany with austria - used the nazi party to cause
trouble in austria then used it as an excuse to restore order - held a plebscite -
99.75% in favour of anschluss.
Britain and France did nothing and thought ww1 treaties were unfair - hitler believed
that nothing would be done to preserve the treaty of Versailles - considered that
perhaps the allies were not prepared for war.
1
