Hitler's Foreign Policy AQA Notes
Hitler’s Foreign Policy and the Origins of the Second World War
Key issue: How did Hitler challenge and exploit the Treaty of Versailles 1933–March 1938?
• Hitler’s aims in foreign policy:
DUDE- Destroy the Treaty of Versailles- Unite German Speaking People Destroy Communism Expand Eastwards
Destroy the Treaty of Versailles
The Germans hated it, especially:
Tiny armed forces,
The Saar was under League of Nations control,
The Rhineland was demilitarised,
Anschluss (union) with Austria was forbidden,
Germans were forced to live in Czechoslovakia (the Sudetenland) and Poland,
Danzig was under League of Nations control.
The Treaty was a constant reminder to the Germans of their humiliation in World War I. Hitler did not accept that the German army had lost the war, and he was determined to make Germany great again.
To expand German territory
The German population was growing. Hitler said that the German nation needed more Lebensraum (‘living space’). He was determined to get Lebensraum by conquering land in Eastern Europe.
This was connected with his belief that the Aryan race was genetically superior and destined to rule over others. Hitler believed he had the right to invade Eastern Europe and make the Slav peoples (such as the Poles and the Russians) Germany's slaves.
To defeat Communism
The Nazis were Fascists: the exact opposite of the Communists who ruled Russia.
Hitler blamed the Communists for Germany's defeat in World War One, and he feared that the Communists were trying to take over Germany.
He was determined to destroy Communism, and this meant a war with Russia.
•The return of the Saar, 1935
In 1920, under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, the Saar was put under French control for 15 years (from 1920). In 1935 the electors decided the future of their area in a vote, and over 90% voted to re-join
Key issue: How did Hitler challenge and exploit the Treaty of Versailles 1933–March 1938?
• Hitler’s aims in foreign policy:
DUDE- Destroy the Treaty of Versailles- Unite German Speaking People Destroy Communism Expand Eastwards
Destroy the Treaty of Versailles
The Germans hated it, especially:
Tiny armed forces,
The Saar was under League of Nations control,
The Rhineland was demilitarised,
Anschluss (union) with Austria was forbidden,
Germans were forced to live in Czechoslovakia (the Sudetenland) and Poland,
Danzig was under League of Nations control.
The Treaty was a constant reminder to the Germans of their humiliation in World War I. Hitler did not accept that the German army had lost the war, and he was determined to make Germany great again.
To expand German territory
The German population was growing. Hitler said that the German nation needed more Lebensraum (‘living space’). He was determined to get Lebensraum by conquering land in Eastern Europe.
This was connected with his belief that the Aryan race was genetically superior and destined to rule over others. Hitler believed he had the right to invade Eastern Europe and make the Slav peoples (such as the Poles and the Russians) Germany's slaves.
To defeat Communism
The Nazis were Fascists: the exact opposite of the Communists who ruled Russia.
Hitler blamed the Communists for Germany's defeat in World War One, and he feared that the Communists were trying to take over Germany.
He was determined to destroy Communism, and this meant a war with Russia.
•The return of the Saar, 1935
In 1920, under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, the Saar was put under French control for 15 years (from 1920). In 1935 the electors decided the future of their area in a vote, and over 90% voted to re-join