Hitlers foreign policy part 2 Flashcards
(20 cards)
What was Hitler’s rearmament policy?
Germany began to secretly and then openly rebuild its military forces, violating the Treaty of Versailles.
1935: Conscription reintroduced; 1936: Luftwaffe revealed; unemployment dropped from 6 million (1933) to under 1 million (1939).
Why did Hitler pursue rearmament?
To reverse the Treaty of Versailles, strengthen Germany, reduce unemployment, and prepare for future expansion and war.
What was the reoccupation of the Rhineland?
German troops marched into the demilitarized Rhineland, against the terms of Versailles and the Locarno Pact.
Why did Hitler reoccupy the Rhineland?
To test the response of Britain and France, protect Germany’s western border, and boost Nazi support by defying Versailles.
What evidence supports the reoccupation of the Rhineland?
France had a larger army but didn’t act without British support; Britain didn’t intervene, seeing it as Germany’s ‘own land.’
Hitler later admitted he would’ve retreated if France resisted.
What was the Anschluss with Austria?
Union of Germany and Austria into one country – forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles.
Why did Hitler pursue the Anschluss?
To unite all German-speaking people, take advantage of Austria’s economic weakness, and because he himself was Austrian.
What evidence supports the Anschluss?
Hitler pressured Austrian Chancellor Schuschnigg to resign; German troops entered unopposed.
A manipulated referendum showed 99% support.
What was the Sudetenland Crisis?
Hitler demanded the Sudetenland – a German-speaking region in Czechoslovakia. Britain and France gave in at Munich.
Why did Hitler demand the Sudetenland?
To protect German minorities, weaken Czechoslovakia, and because he saw Britain and France’s appeasement as weakness.
What evidence supports the Sudetenland Crisis?
The Munich Agreement (29 Sept 1938) handed Sudetenland to Germany; Hitler promised it was his ‘last territorial demand.’
Czechoslovakia wasn’t even invited to the conference.
What was the occupation of Czechoslovakia?
Germany took over the rest of Czechoslovakia, despite having no claim to the land or people.
Why did Hitler occupy Czechoslovakia?
To show he wanted more than just uniting Germans and for strategic expansion in preparation for war.
What evidence supports the occupation of Czechoslovakia?
Prague occupied by German troops; no justification under Treaty of Versailles.
Britain and France ended appeasement and began rearming.
What was the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
A non-aggression pact between Nazi Germany and the USSR; secretly agreed to divide Poland between them.
Why did Hitler sign the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
To avoid a two-front war like in WWI and gain freedom to attack Poland.
What evidence supports the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
A secret protocol split Poland and Baltic states; shocked the world with communists and Nazis cooperating.
What was the invasion of Poland?
Germany invaded Poland using Blitzkrieg tactics (lightning war). Britain and France declared war two days later.
Why did Hitler invade Poland?
To reclaim Danzig and the Polish Corridor, believing Britain and France wouldn’t fight, as part of his long-term plan for Lebensraum.
What evidence supports the invasion of Poland?
Germany attacked from the west; USSR invaded from the east (17 Sept).
War officially began on 3 September 1939.
