IB HISTORY
THE MOVE TO GLOBAL WAR
CHAPTER 4: GERMAN FOREIGN POLICY 1933-40
1. Hitler and Nazi Germany 1933-38
1933: Hitler became chancellor and was soon to be the head of a single-party state.
As his authority increased and as a result of an ever-strengthening economy, Germany’s foreign policy
grew more aggressive. Nevertheless, it took Hitler until 1938 to achieve total control over the state.
Hitler and the consolidation of power 1933-38
Nazi Party moved to consolidate power; first move: Gleichschaltung:
• abolishment of all other parties and labour unions
• most governmental positions being replaced by Nazis
• police force merged with the SS
Hitler simultaneously also worked to consolidate his power by executing party rivals.
The only constitution which was not under Hitler’s control was the German army which didn’t trust
Hitler a foreigner. By 1938, Hitler gained control over the army by replacing the top commanders.
Nazi Germany’s economy 1933-39
The New Plan: Economic policy introduced in 1933 by Hjalmar Schacht. It consisted off solely
exchanging goods of equal value, purchasing only essential materials and exporting manufactured goods
to states which mainly produced raw materials. → Germany’s economy recovered quicker than any other
economy during the Great Depression; Results: cheaper food prices in Germany, as food was mainly
imported from E and W states, more money to purchase raw materials needed for rearmament, reduction
of unemployment + Central and Eastern European states became increasingly dependent on Germany.
The Four Year Plan 1936-39
• increase agricultural production, self-sufficiency in the production of raw materials (as Germany
was vulnerable for embargos and blockades), strict governmental regulation on imports and
exports, increase military production
→ increase in military production = less goods for consumers to purchase, while wages increased and
unemployment continued to drop = inflation
Rearmament
Vulnerability after 1919: Neighbours of Germany did not disarm and France worked to isolate Germany
by creating alliances which had the ability to field millions of troops against Germany. German
vulnerability was clearly demonstrated in 1923 with the French and Belgian invasion of the Ruhr Area =
Germany could not defend itself and was vulnerable to invasions.
Many in Germany were also concerned about communism and feared that the launching of the 2 nd Five
Year Plan of the Soviet Union would make Germany even more likely to be invaded. → Germany turned
to the Nazis
World Disarmament Conference 1932: Germany declared that if France wasn’t to limit its military,
Germany would be forced to rearm. When it became that France wouldn’t disarm, Germany withdrew
from the conference and left the LoN shorty after.
Rearmament begins: 1935: conscription, construction of 2500 aircraft and other war needs, expansion of
the navy. Rearmament was accomplished during the Great Depression whilst most countries worked to
do the opposite.
International response to rearmament
Stresa Front The leaders of France, Britain and Italy met almost immediately after German
rearmament and agreed to work together condemning Germany’s plans. →
, Nevertheless, the initiative amounted to little: Participants had differing goals and
weren’t ready for a military intervention as a result of the GD
= Hitler also assured these states of Germany’s peaceful intentions
France France turned to the Soviet Union as an ally against Germany and signed the t
Franco-Soviet Treaty of Mutual Assistance in 1935. → was rendered powerless as
many conservatives in Franc feared communism more than Germany
+ France built a massive series of fortifications along its border with Germany
Britain Britain had followed a strict policy of limited military spending since the end of
WWI. German rearmament threatened Britain and its weak military and led to rapid
rearmament in Britain. Rearmament increased over 600 per cent between 1935-39
2. Germany’s foreign policy: 1933-35
Before 1935: extremely cautious foreign policy due to recovering economy, Hitler slowly working to
consolidate his power and Germany’s very weak and small military.
Nazism and foreign policy
• End the humiliation of the ToV
• Pan-Germanism (all Germans should live in an expanded Germany)
• Eradication of communism
• Lebensraum
• Racism against non-Germans and minorities
• Hatred and feeling of superiority towards democratic states
The Polish-German Non-Aggression Pact, January 1934
1934: Poland’s military was far more powerful than Germany’s + Poland was allied to France
= Poland felt that it had nothing to fear from Germany but Poland didn’t want to be drawn into a
conflict with Germany as its main focus was the threat imposed by the Soviet Union → German and
Poland agreed not to attack each other for a period of ten years + Germany recognized Poland’s borders,
better diplomatic relations and increased trade.
→ Germany didn’t need to fear Polish military intervention + the pact weakened the alliance between
France and Poland.
→ French response: France was outraged, Poland would pursue whatever policy was in its own interest
→ France moved closer to the Soviet Union
→ Soviet response: Any earlier co-operation between the two states collapsed with the Pact between
Poland and Germany as the SU saw P as its main enemy. + the earlier co-operation had meant that there
had always been a possibility of an alliance between G and the Su to oppose Poland, this possibility was
now crushed. → Soviets joined the League of Nations as worked to build positive relations with other
countries ending its isolation and trying to protect itself from Poland by seeking allies.
Austria 1934
The unification of Austria and Germany was one step towards the creation of a state for all Germans.
Austria was a politically divided, weak state. 1934: Hitler met Mussolini who rejected Hitler’s idea of the
annexation. Nevertheless, Hitler encouraged the Austrian Nazis to launch a coup which failed because of
Italy’s intervention which was determined to keep Austria as a buffer state between Germany and Italy
→ setback for Hitler, strained relations between Italy and Germany, Italian co-operation with B and F to
keep Germany weak and under control.
Saar Plebiscite 1935
The Saar was an iron- and coal-rich region of Germany which was placed under the administration of the
LoN. A plebiscite was held in 1935 where over 90% of all voters indicated that they wished to re-join
Germany.
Anglo-German Naval Treaty, 1935
THE MOVE TO GLOBAL WAR
CHAPTER 4: GERMAN FOREIGN POLICY 1933-40
1. Hitler and Nazi Germany 1933-38
1933: Hitler became chancellor and was soon to be the head of a single-party state.
As his authority increased and as a result of an ever-strengthening economy, Germany’s foreign policy
grew more aggressive. Nevertheless, it took Hitler until 1938 to achieve total control over the state.
Hitler and the consolidation of power 1933-38
Nazi Party moved to consolidate power; first move: Gleichschaltung:
• abolishment of all other parties and labour unions
• most governmental positions being replaced by Nazis
• police force merged with the SS
Hitler simultaneously also worked to consolidate his power by executing party rivals.
The only constitution which was not under Hitler’s control was the German army which didn’t trust
Hitler a foreigner. By 1938, Hitler gained control over the army by replacing the top commanders.
Nazi Germany’s economy 1933-39
The New Plan: Economic policy introduced in 1933 by Hjalmar Schacht. It consisted off solely
exchanging goods of equal value, purchasing only essential materials and exporting manufactured goods
to states which mainly produced raw materials. → Germany’s economy recovered quicker than any other
economy during the Great Depression; Results: cheaper food prices in Germany, as food was mainly
imported from E and W states, more money to purchase raw materials needed for rearmament, reduction
of unemployment + Central and Eastern European states became increasingly dependent on Germany.
The Four Year Plan 1936-39
• increase agricultural production, self-sufficiency in the production of raw materials (as Germany
was vulnerable for embargos and blockades), strict governmental regulation on imports and
exports, increase military production
→ increase in military production = less goods for consumers to purchase, while wages increased and
unemployment continued to drop = inflation
Rearmament
Vulnerability after 1919: Neighbours of Germany did not disarm and France worked to isolate Germany
by creating alliances which had the ability to field millions of troops against Germany. German
vulnerability was clearly demonstrated in 1923 with the French and Belgian invasion of the Ruhr Area =
Germany could not defend itself and was vulnerable to invasions.
Many in Germany were also concerned about communism and feared that the launching of the 2 nd Five
Year Plan of the Soviet Union would make Germany even more likely to be invaded. → Germany turned
to the Nazis
World Disarmament Conference 1932: Germany declared that if France wasn’t to limit its military,
Germany would be forced to rearm. When it became that France wouldn’t disarm, Germany withdrew
from the conference and left the LoN shorty after.
Rearmament begins: 1935: conscription, construction of 2500 aircraft and other war needs, expansion of
the navy. Rearmament was accomplished during the Great Depression whilst most countries worked to
do the opposite.
International response to rearmament
Stresa Front The leaders of France, Britain and Italy met almost immediately after German
rearmament and agreed to work together condemning Germany’s plans. →
, Nevertheless, the initiative amounted to little: Participants had differing goals and
weren’t ready for a military intervention as a result of the GD
= Hitler also assured these states of Germany’s peaceful intentions
France France turned to the Soviet Union as an ally against Germany and signed the t
Franco-Soviet Treaty of Mutual Assistance in 1935. → was rendered powerless as
many conservatives in Franc feared communism more than Germany
+ France built a massive series of fortifications along its border with Germany
Britain Britain had followed a strict policy of limited military spending since the end of
WWI. German rearmament threatened Britain and its weak military and led to rapid
rearmament in Britain. Rearmament increased over 600 per cent between 1935-39
2. Germany’s foreign policy: 1933-35
Before 1935: extremely cautious foreign policy due to recovering economy, Hitler slowly working to
consolidate his power and Germany’s very weak and small military.
Nazism and foreign policy
• End the humiliation of the ToV
• Pan-Germanism (all Germans should live in an expanded Germany)
• Eradication of communism
• Lebensraum
• Racism against non-Germans and minorities
• Hatred and feeling of superiority towards democratic states
The Polish-German Non-Aggression Pact, January 1934
1934: Poland’s military was far more powerful than Germany’s + Poland was allied to France
= Poland felt that it had nothing to fear from Germany but Poland didn’t want to be drawn into a
conflict with Germany as its main focus was the threat imposed by the Soviet Union → German and
Poland agreed not to attack each other for a period of ten years + Germany recognized Poland’s borders,
better diplomatic relations and increased trade.
→ Germany didn’t need to fear Polish military intervention + the pact weakened the alliance between
France and Poland.
→ French response: France was outraged, Poland would pursue whatever policy was in its own interest
→ France moved closer to the Soviet Union
→ Soviet response: Any earlier co-operation between the two states collapsed with the Pact between
Poland and Germany as the SU saw P as its main enemy. + the earlier co-operation had meant that there
had always been a possibility of an alliance between G and the Su to oppose Poland, this possibility was
now crushed. → Soviets joined the League of Nations as worked to build positive relations with other
countries ending its isolation and trying to protect itself from Poland by seeking allies.
Austria 1934
The unification of Austria and Germany was one step towards the creation of a state for all Germans.
Austria was a politically divided, weak state. 1934: Hitler met Mussolini who rejected Hitler’s idea of the
annexation. Nevertheless, Hitler encouraged the Austrian Nazis to launch a coup which failed because of
Italy’s intervention which was determined to keep Austria as a buffer state between Germany and Italy
→ setback for Hitler, strained relations between Italy and Germany, Italian co-operation with B and F to
keep Germany weak and under control.
Saar Plebiscite 1935
The Saar was an iron- and coal-rich region of Germany which was placed under the administration of the
LoN. A plebiscite was held in 1935 where over 90% of all voters indicated that they wished to re-join
Germany.
Anglo-German Naval Treaty, 1935
