Hitler
Hitler’s main foreign policy plans
Abolish the Treaty of Versailles
a constant reminder of German humiliation that
had been signed by the ‘November Criminals’.
Expand German territory
regain territory lost in 1919;
unite with Austria
absorb German-speaking minorities in other countries,
lebensraum
carve out an empire in eastern Europe in order to provide extra
‘living space’ for the expanding German population
Defeat communism
Hitler hated communism
Keep pushing his luck to see how much he could get away with
What measures did Hitler take to achieve German re-armament?
Re-armament began in secret at first, then continued more openly
• Thousands of unemployed workers drafted into the army
• Armaments spending increases from 7.4% in 1935 to 23% in 1939.
new army
30 warships in 1932 increased to 95 warships in 1939.
• 36 military aircraft in 1932 increased to 8,250 in 1939.
• 100,000 soldiers in 1932 increased to 950,000 in 1939.
How significant was German involvement in the Spanish Civil War 1936-39?
It was an opportunity for Hitler to fight against Communism,
It gave Hitler the opportunity to try out his new armed forces in combat conditions
It gave Hitler something in common with Mussolini,