Early Nazi Foreign Policy 1933-36

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  • Created by: Erin W
  • Created on: 04-06-17 13:45

Hitler's Foreign Policy Aims

  • Create a greater Germany - Grossdeutschland.
  • Provide 'living space' for the growing German population - Lebensraum.
  • Rearm and rebuild military strength - gain back its military might.
  • Abolish Marxism - get rid of communism.
  • Destroy The Treaty of Versailles - Hitler thought it was too harsh.
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Withdrawal From League of Nations

  • Most major countries were supposed to disarm after Versaille - Germany was only country to do so.
  • Confrence held in Geneva to sort out problem in 1932.
  • Germany demanded that other countries disarmed.
  • France (still worried about German threat) refused.
  • Hitler ordered represesntatives to walk out of confrence.
  • Hitler withdrew Germany from the League of Nations.
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Non-agression Pact with Poland

  • Jan 1934
  • The two countries promised to respect the border between them.
  • Hitler wanted to balance withdrawal from LON.
  • He aimed to challenge critics suggesting he threatened war.
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Secret Remilitarisation 1933-34

  • Secretly increased the size of the army - by 1935 it was four times the 100,00 limit set at Versailles.
  • Military spending was increased to 9 billion marks.
  • The Navy began to build new vessels.
  • Schacht cleverly invested money into things that would be useful during war e.g. motorways and factories.
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First Attempt for Austrian Anschluss

  • 1934 - Hitler thought it was a good time for Austria to join Germany.
  • Austria is Hitler's homeland and German speaking
  • Austrian Nazis assassinated Dictator Dolfuss (unclear if ordered by Hitler).
  • Italy's Leader, Benito Mussolini didn't support Hitler's foreign policy and moved troops to Austrian border - Hitler backed down.
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Saar Plebiscite

  • Versailles had given coal-rich Saar to France until 1935.
  • A vote was held to decide whether to remain with France or join Germany.
  • Gestapo ready to intimidate 'pro-french' voters.
  • Over 90% voted to join Germany.
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Stress Front and Anglo-German Naval Agreement

  • Hitler had openly broken the Treaty of Versailles through conscription etc.
  • British, French and Italian Leaders formed the 'Stresa Front'.
  • They knew they couldn't physically stop Hitler.
  • They met in Stresa, N. Italy in 1935 to condemn Hitler.
  • Within weeks the partnership collapsed.
  • Britain and Germany signed the 'Anglo-German Naval Agreement'.
  • Britain didnt care about size of Germany's army, they just wanted to ensure they had the biggest Navy.
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