Hitler’s Foreign Policies

1. Hitler’s Foreign Policies To destroy the Treaty of Versailles imposed on Germany after her defeat in World War One. Hitler felt the Treaty was unfair and most Germans supported this view. To unite all German speakers together in one country. After World War One there were Germans living in many countries in Europe e.g. Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland. Hitler hoped that by uniting them together in one country he would create a powerful Germany or Grossdeutschland. To expand eastwards into the East (Poland, Russia) to gain land for Germany (Lebensraum- living space). To rebuild Germany’s armed forces to support his policy of Lebensraum which he knew would involve war at some stage.

2. Timeline Withdrawal from International Disarmament Conference Withdrawal from the League of Nations October 23 1933 The German government announced that Germany withdrew from the Disarmament Conference and the League of Nations in light of the failure of the Germans to gain military parity with the Western powers. The Ten Year Non-Aggression Pact with Poland January 26 1934 Hitler’s false promise not to attack Poland. Politically Hitler is seen to be a peace maker. 24 July 1934 The Brenner Pass Incident First attempt by Nazis at Anschluss with Austria - failed 16 March 1935 German rearmament announced – conscription and Luftwaffe 18 June 1935 The Anglo German Naval Agreement GB agrees Germany can rearm without any consultation with the League of Nations