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Evolution of Warfare

Evolution of Warfare. The Rise of Nazism and War In Europe Marine Officer Instructor. Reading Assignment. , A Military History of the Western World , pp. 364-376. Learning Objectives.

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Evolution of Warfare

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  1. Evolution of Warfare The Rise of Nazism and War In Europe Marine Officer Instructor

  2. Reading Assignment • ,A Military History of the Western World, pp. 364-376.

  3. Learning Objectives • Know and trace Hitler’s rise to power and explain his subjugation of the German General Staff and the officer corps

  4. Adolf Hitler • “Political misjudgments and wrong turns are like Tuberculosis - hard to detect and easy to cure in the beginning and easy to diagnose and very hard to cure at the end.” - Machiavelli

  5. The Early Years • Born in Braunau, Austria-Hungary in 1889 • As a boy, lacked capacity for intellectual, emotional, artistic or sexual development • Age 15, developed political and social prejudices carried into reign as Fuhrer • Dropped out of school to become artist, failed • Vienna Years (1907 - 1913), developed ideology

  6. The Soldier; Radical Statesman • 24 May 1913 - Flees Vienna as Austrian Army deserter • WWI - Regimental Messenger in German Army on Western Front • Corporal, wounded twice, Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class for Bravery • Post WWI, joined espionage section of Armistice Army of Germany • 1919 joined “The German Workers party” • Blamed outcome of war on Jews and Marxists

  7. The Soldier; Radical Statesman • Excelled due to Anti-Semitism, opposition to democracy, and “leadership and followership” principle • Oratorical skill and propaganda techniques unmatched • “To lead means to be able to move masses”. • (Hitler, Mein Kampf)

  8. Rise to Power • Ran public conspiracy against Weimar Republic with Nazi Party • Utilized aid of Gen Erich von Ludendorf • March disrupted, Hitler sentenced to 5 years • Wrote Mein Kampf (“My fight”) in prison • 1925, reshaped party along legal grounds • 1932 renamed the “National Socialist German Workers” • 1933 became Chancellor and formed a Government • 1934 Purged the party and when Field Marshall Hindeburg died, abolished the President and became Furher of the German People.

  9. Rise to Power • “By this oath we again bind our lives to a man, through whom – this is our belief – superior forces act in fullfillment of destiny. Do not seek Adolf Hitler with your brains; all of you will find him with strength of your hearts. Adolf Hitler is Germany and Germany is Adolf Hitler. Germany is our God on earth.” • Rudolf Hess in swearing in the entire party

  10. Preparation for War • Economic recovery under Hitler centered around primary object of war preparation • Skill in foreign policy misled other European powers as to ultimate goal of expansion

  11. Hitler’s Goal • To establish a German Continental System under Germany • Liberate Germany from the shackles of international loan-capitalism • To unite Germanic peoples in the Third Reich • To Establish in Eastern Europe the German Lebensraum (living space)

  12. Monetary Beliefs/Actions • Refuse foreign interest bearing loans and base German currency on production not gold • Obtain imports by direct exchange of goods – barter – subsidize when necessary • Stop “Freedom of Exchanges” shifting private fortunes from one country to another according to political situation • Create money when men and material were available for work instead of running into debt by borrowing it.

  13. Monetary Beliefs/Actions • Aimed at the US because we had the bulk of the world’s gold. • “Holy War”against National Socialism by Jewish laywers • 1937 Stock Market collasped • President Roosevelt “Quarantine Speech” • US and Britain challenged the Barter system

  14. War and its Aftermath • After series of annexations, alliances, and agreements, Hitler began Blitzkrieg toward Poland in September of 1939 • Britain and France declare war on Germany • Mutual aid treaties with Poland • Change in submissive attitudes in both countries

  15. Blitzkrieg was born in Poland • “Lighting Warfare” • Attack enemy at weakest point • Combination of lateral and forward movements • large mechanized ground forces • Coordinated use of airpower • double envelopment

  16. War and its Aftermath • At peak of war, Hitler controlled territory from Arctic to North Africa • Began “Final Solution to Jewish Question” • “Battle of Britain” signaled turn of events

  17. War and its Aftermath • June 1941: Hitler invades Russia • “General Winter” aids Russia • Germany suffers losses at Moscow and Stalingrad 1942 - 1943 • US joins war in December 1941 • Hitler’s Axis crumbles with Mussolini’s death and Allied invasion of 1944

  18. War and its Aftermath • Assassination attempt by Hitler’s Officers (July 1944) • With Russians near Berlin on 30 April 1945, Hitler commits suicide with new wife, Eva Braun

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