Rome-Berlin axis
Rome- Berlin Axis (Nov 1936)
- Was an understanding although not yet a military alliance.
Hossbach Conference
1) Autumn of 1936 the economic crisis revealed the weaknesses of Germany’s economic expansion. Hitler was not yet in a position to risk fighting a war, hence the creation of the Four Year Plan under Goring to create a war economy
2) Problem with conservative forces in the army and foreign ministry. Certain elements in both these institutions had already advised a cautious plan. If Hitler wanted to raise diplomatic stakes higher, he needed guaranteed support
3) Problem that Germany had not secured an alliance with Britain and voices within the Party were promoting alternative diplomatic strategies. Leading Nazi – Von Ribbentrop, was keen to develop a tripartite – agreement of 3 parties. Hitler was not convinced + remained committed to make Britain an ally. Sent Ribbentrop to London as Germany’s new ambassador in autumn of 1936
Conference topics;
1) Take action after the period 1943-1945 when military preparations would be nearly complete
2) Exploit French internal problems and take action against Czech
3) Take action if France became involved in a war with another country which would prevent her defending herself against Germany
Consequences of Munich Agreement
- Sudetenland was rich in natural deposits of coal, copper and lignite. Assets were passed onto Germany.
- Major success for Hitler and regime. Political gains achieved without conflict further reinforced Hitler’s position.
- Czechoslovakia constructed frontier defenses within mountains of Sudetenland. They were simply taken over by Germany + removing real defensive capacity from remains of Czech state.
- Hitler’s ultimate objective was creation of Lebensraum.
- USSR saw its exclusion from the decision making process at Munich as a sign that the western democracies were not prepared to work with Russia. Soviet foreign policy began to realign itself. It would
- Was an understanding although not yet a military alliance.
Hossbach Conference
1) Autumn of 1936 the economic crisis revealed the weaknesses of Germany’s economic expansion. Hitler was not yet in a position to risk fighting a war, hence the creation of the Four Year Plan under Goring to create a war economy
2) Problem with conservative forces in the army and foreign ministry. Certain elements in both these institutions had already advised a cautious plan. If Hitler wanted to raise diplomatic stakes higher, he needed guaranteed support
3) Problem that Germany had not secured an alliance with Britain and voices within the Party were promoting alternative diplomatic strategies. Leading Nazi – Von Ribbentrop, was keen to develop a tripartite – agreement of 3 parties. Hitler was not convinced + remained committed to make Britain an ally. Sent Ribbentrop to London as Germany’s new ambassador in autumn of 1936
Conference topics;
1) Take action after the period 1943-1945 when military preparations would be nearly complete
2) Exploit French internal problems and take action against Czech
3) Take action if France became involved in a war with another country which would prevent her defending herself against Germany
Consequences of Munich Agreement
- Sudetenland was rich in natural deposits of coal, copper and lignite. Assets were passed onto Germany.
- Major success for Hitler and regime. Political gains achieved without conflict further reinforced Hitler’s position.
- Czechoslovakia constructed frontier defenses within mountains of Sudetenland. They were simply taken over by Germany + removing real defensive capacity from remains of Czech state.
- Hitler’s ultimate objective was creation of Lebensraum.
- USSR saw its exclusion from the decision making process at Munich as a sign that the western democracies were not prepared to work with Russia. Soviet foreign policy began to realign itself. It would