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HIST2125 Hitler’s Germany

HIST2125 Hitler’s Germany. Lecture 13: Expansionist foreign politics , 1938-39 15 November 2012. Foreign policy 4-phase-model. Revisionist and high-risk foreign politics, 1933-36 Expansionist foreign politics, 1938-39 Blitz Wars and ideological warfare, 1939-42

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HIST2125 Hitler’s Germany

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  1. HIST2125Hitler’s Germany Lecture 13: Expansionist foreign politics, 1938-39 15 November 2012

  2. Foreign policy 4-phase-model • Revisionist and high-risk foreign politics, 1933-36 • Expansionist foreign politics, 1938-39 • Blitz Wars and ideological warfare, 1939-42 • Total War and downfall, 1943-45

  3. Austria ☻ ☺ Anschluß (annexation), Mar-Apr 1938: • Hitler’s home country + historical & economic factors • No intervention of Britain & Italy • Austrian’s enthusiastic welcome of Hitler → planned forceful subordination becomes peaceful Anschluß • Plebiscite in both G & A: 99% supportive of Anschluß

  4. Sudeten Crisis, summer 1938 • 3,5 million Sudeten Germans in CZ opposed to Prague • Hitler’s ideologically-driven expansionist goals • Wehrmacht’smilitary-strategic considerations • Hitler’s demand for cession of Sudetenland • Appeasement policy of Chamberlain

  5. Appeasement Policy • Historical experiences • Belief in peaceful solutions • Disillusionment with Versailles Treaty • Fear of communism

  6. Munich Agreement, 30 Sep 1938 Treaty of Britain-France-Germany-Italy: • German occupation of Sudetenland • British-French guarantee for remaining CZ • German-British declaration of non-aggression and consultation • No further German territorial demands on CZ

  7. Protectorate Bohemia-Moravia, Mar 1939 • Hitler’s high-risk policy to ‘smash CZ by military action’ • President Hácha relinquishes CZ to Germany: No foreign intervention • Slovakia’s ‘independence’, 14 Mar • Occupation of rest-CZ by Germany, 15 Mar • Creation of ‘Protectorate’ with limited sovereignty under German protection = Slap-in-the-face for Chamberlain & appeasement policy

  8. Consequences • Violation of Munich Agreement tolerated but not accepted by Western powers • Hitler no longer seen as ‘revisionist’ but aggressor • GB guarantee of PL freedom with tacit support of USA (31 Mar 1939) • USA as armament provider for GB + F • Strong boost for possible future Anglo-American war alliance

  9. Stahlpakt (Pact of Steel), May 1939 Offensive German-Italian military alliance: • Continuation of Berlin-Rome Axis • Close cooperation in war economy & military matters • Common agreement on future truces & peace treaties = Highly important for Hitler’s decision to go to war = In realitynot much cooperation with Mussolini

  10. Intentionalist, programmatist, Hitlerist school: Hitler’s ideological goals shaped consistent foreign policy Foreign policy’s broad outlines and objectives were ‘programmed’ long in advance Structuralist, functionalist school: No program: Foreing policy with unclear & unspecific ways & aims Foreign policy more result of uncontrollable dynamism & radicalizing momentum of NSDAP and government offices Interpretations:Hitler’s Role in foreign policy

  11. Integrated School • Hitler’s major initiatives & vital decisions • Hitler’s fresh, unorthodox line ≠ other power groups’ suspicions & objections • Hitler attentive to ‘structural’ domestic & external limiting factors • No evidence of ‘weak dictator’ = Hitler with dominant role in foreign policy decisions

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