German Foreign Policy - dot points, easy to understand
Foreign Policy
Phase 1: The Cautious Policy
Hitler's main aim was the create "living space" for a German super-power in the East - Lebensraum i.e. the conquest of the USSR - it also meant subjecting Eastern Europe first.
This would give Germany autarchy i.e. complete economic self-sufficiency. No need for seaborne trade. No more naval blockades.
Hitler pleases the General Staff by promising to reintroduce conscription and re arming the armed forces.
He need the Generals to be onside. A big army is essential to Nazi foreign policy.
The Junkers maintained control of the army, but many middle class men joined the Officer Corps.
Many of the troops had been through the Hitler youth and imbued with Nazi ideals
Germans developed the concept of 'lightning war' i.e. blitzkrieg using thanks and aircraft. Developed by Heinz Guderian.
Hitler announced the existence of the Luftwaff (air force) is 1935.
The Navy - neglected service Hitler didn't understand sea power. Yet it did undergo a build-up.
In 1928 Hitler decided he had to change the army leadership to get it under control.
Hitler basically replaced the Army leadership with people loyal to him.
1935 Anglo-German Naval agreement kept Britain happy. There would be no naval race. German surface fleet would only be 35% OF Britain. Parity in submarines.
Germany leaves the League of Nations (1933), refuses to adhere to Versailles Treaty or pay reparations anymore -> very popular in Germany.
Hitler outsmarted everyone by signing a 10yr non-aggression pact with Poland, France's major ally in eastern Europe. He had no intention of honouring this policy. France wouldn't fight without allies, so in one stroke he' taken away her major continental ally, and lulled Poland into a false sense of security. Poland was in fact a major target.
Hitler tried to convince everyone that German Foreign Policy was peaceful
Things became obstructed when Austrian Nazis - wanting Anschluss with Germany, assassinated the
Phase 1: The Cautious Policy
Hitler's main aim was the create "living space" for a German super-power in the East - Lebensraum i.e. the conquest of the USSR - it also meant subjecting Eastern Europe first.
This would give Germany autarchy i.e. complete economic self-sufficiency. No need for seaborne trade. No more naval blockades.
Hitler pleases the General Staff by promising to reintroduce conscription and re arming the armed forces.
He need the Generals to be onside. A big army is essential to Nazi foreign policy.
The Junkers maintained control of the army, but many middle class men joined the Officer Corps.
Many of the troops had been through the Hitler youth and imbued with Nazi ideals
Germans developed the concept of 'lightning war' i.e. blitzkrieg using thanks and aircraft. Developed by Heinz Guderian.
Hitler announced the existence of the Luftwaff (air force) is 1935.
The Navy - neglected service Hitler didn't understand sea power. Yet it did undergo a build-up.
In 1928 Hitler decided he had to change the army leadership to get it under control.
Hitler basically replaced the Army leadership with people loyal to him.
1935 Anglo-German Naval agreement kept Britain happy. There would be no naval race. German surface fleet would only be 35% OF Britain. Parity in submarines.
Germany leaves the League of Nations (1933), refuses to adhere to Versailles Treaty or pay reparations anymore -> very popular in Germany.
Hitler outsmarted everyone by signing a 10yr non-aggression pact with Poland, France's major ally in eastern Europe. He had no intention of honouring this policy. France wouldn't fight without allies, so in one stroke he' taken away her major continental ally, and lulled Poland into a false sense of security. Poland was in fact a major target.
Hitler tried to convince everyone that German Foreign Policy was peaceful
Things became obstructed when Austrian Nazis - wanting Anschluss with Germany, assassinated the