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Hitler's Foreign Policy Escalation

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Hitler's Foreign Policy Escalation

Track how German foreign policy changed between 1933 and 1939. Use the evidence in this worksheet to identify turning points, consider how other countries responded, and make a judgement about the causes of war. Dates and events are provided; explain their significance in your own words.

Evidence file: aims and early moves

Hitler’s government sought to overturn the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles, rebuild German military strength, unite German-speaking people under German rule, and gain Lebensraum (living space), especially in eastern Europe. In 1933 Germany left the League of Nations. In January 1935, a plebiscite in the Saar returned the territory to Germany. In March 1935 Hitler announced conscription and an air force, openly challenging the Treaty of Versailles. In March 1936 German troops entered the demilitarised Rhineland, a region of western Germany bordering France. Britain and France protested but did not use military force. Germany also supplied forces and equipment to Franco’s Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War (1936–39).

1.Which two actions in the evidence file directly challenged military restrictions in the Treaty of Versailles?

2.The Saar returned to Germany after a plebiscite. What made this event different from rearmament or the Rhineland action?

It was decided by a vote rather than a German military move.
It was a German invasion of France.
It was a decision made by the League of Nations to disarm Germany.
It gave Germany control of the Spanish government.

3.The Rhineland bordered France. Explain one reason why this location was strategically important to Germany and one reason its remilitarisation was a risk for Hitler.

Evidence file: escalation, 1938–39

In March 1938 Germany annexed Austria in the Anschluss. In September 1938, the Munich Agreement allowed Germany to take the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with many German speakers. Czechoslovakia was not represented at the main negotiations. In March 1939 Germany occupied the rest of the Czech lands, showing that its expansion was not limited to uniting German speakers. In August 1939 Germany and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact. A secret protocol divided parts of eastern Europe into German and Soviet spheres of influence. Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939. Britain and France declared war on Germany on 3 September.

4.Put these events in chronological order by writing the letters: A. German invasion of Poland; B. Anschluss with Austria; C. Munich Agreement; D. occupation of the rest of the Czech lands.

5.Why was the occupation of the rest of the Czech lands in March 1939 a turning point in how Britain and France might view Hitler’s aims?

6.The Munich Agreement is often associated with appeasement. Which description best explains appeasement in this context?

Giving concessions to avoid a wider war, including allowing Germany to take the Sudetenland.
Declaring war on Germany as soon as it rearmed.
Joining Germany in an invasion of Czechoslovakia.
Removing all German-speaking people from central Europe.

7.Explain how the German–Soviet non-aggression pact affected Hitler’s decision to invade Poland. Include one limitation of the pact.

Build a historical judgement

Use the events and explanations above as evidence. A strong judgement distinguishes Hitler’s decisions from the actions and choices of other governments.

8.Which event provides the strongest evidence that Hitler’s expansion was not only about uniting German-speaking people? Explain your choice.

9.Assess the claim: “Hitler’s foreign policy was the main reason war broke out in 1939.” Write a short, balanced judgement using at least two specific events from the worksheet and one point about the response of Britain or France.