Does this bring back memories?
1(a) Why did Hitler embark on an expansionist foreign policy? (12m)
Hitler knew that if he were to embark on this policy, he would violate the Treaty of Versailles. But he was not concerned with the Treaty of Versailles because the League of Nations had proved itself time and time again that it was unable to succeed in preserving peace.
This can be shown when Japan invaded Manchuria. A report from the League of Nations showed that the invasion was unlawful and Japan was to withdraw all its troops. The whole Assembly, expect for Japan, voted that Japan should withdraw its troops. Japan left the League on 27 March 1933 after being angered by the disapproval it got. The invasion was completed in one week. This incident proves that although the League was a good idea theoretically, it was too weak in maintaining peace and stability.
Hitler also wanted to untie all the Germans together and was willing to risk a war in the process. This is shown when Hitler bargained with Chamberlain over the area of Sudentenland he should get. To do this, he had to increase his army size to overcome and resistance put up but the enemy.
Hitler felt that the Treaty of Versailles was too harsh and wanted to abolish it and reclaim the land it had lost to the Treaty. This would restore the pride of the country and the people would have more faith in Hitler in the future.
In a very indirect way, we can see Hitler’s expansionist foreign policy as his way to curb his fear of communism and democracy. The USSR’s leader, Stalin, was not on very good terms with Hitler. Should communism spread throughout Europe, Germany would be put at a disadvantage, as it would be surrounded by communism. Similarly, by occupying the countries, Britain and France cannon station their troops near Germany and it would make it harder for them to attack Germany.
Therefore, I conclude that Hitler’s main reason for embarking on an expansionist foreign policy was because it was dissatisfied with the Treaty of Versailles after the First World War. This can be seen in almost all the reasons stated above. When Hitler wanted to unite all the Germans together and provide them a lebensraum (living space). Most of the land Germany lost became mandates of the League of Nations and several new states were created out of Germany and Russia’s territories.
To increase his army size, Germany also violated the Treaty of Versailles. In the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was allowed to keep a small army and navy size. Furthermore, Germany was not allowed to build new tanks or ships.
