Post by David on Mar 7, 2009 10:26:58 GMT -5
Prelude to War and the Role of Hitler
Lebensraum = Living space
- Espoused by Karl Haushofer, a professor of geography.
- Maintained that a nation’s power depended upon the amount and kind of land it occupied.
Adolf Hitler
- Believed that he was the only one that could accomplish the goals of eliminating all but the Aryan race.
- Book Mein Kampf was published and was read by a variety of people, had large influence.
The Diplomatic Revolution
- Between 1933 and 1936, Hitler became chancellor of Germany in 1933.
o Hitler knew that Britain and France did not want another war, and was therefore able to rearm Germany, and negotiate his way through the Versailles Treaty.
o Anglo-German Naval Pact allowed Germany to build a navy that would be 35% of the British navy, but in submarines.
- Other European countries applied the basis of appeasement, that if reasonable demands were satisfied, stability would return.
- Hitler gained more allies, including Fascist Italy, Francisco Franco’s Spain, and created the Rome-Berlin Axis. In the East, the Anti-Comintern Pact agreed to maintain a common front against communism between Germany and Japan.
The Path to War
- A secret conference held with the military leaders in Berlin revealed Hitler’s future aims and Germany’s ultimate goal.
Neville Chamberlain = Prime Minister of Britain
- Was a strong advocate of appeasement and believed that the survival of the British Empire depended on Germany.
- Actually told Hitler he would not oppose any action on Central Asia, as long as they were done peacefully.
Kurt von Schuschnigg = Austrian chancellor
- Was coerced by Hitler into putting Austrian Nazis in charge of the government.
o New government allowed German troop to enter Austria and assisted in “maintaining” law an order.
o Germany annexed Austria in 1938.
Munich Conference
- Gathered the British, French, Germans, and Italians (Czechs and Russians weren’t invited)
o Reached an agreement that met Hitler’s demands to occupy Sudetenland (rich natural resource land in Czechoslovakia), and the Czechs were abandoned.
o Chamberlain returned to Britain saying peace had been achieved.
Meanwhile, Hitler established a treaty with the Soviet Union. Hitler joined Stalin in matrimony. Poland was invaded. Here we go again…
Lebensraum = Living space
- Espoused by Karl Haushofer, a professor of geography.
- Maintained that a nation’s power depended upon the amount and kind of land it occupied.
Adolf Hitler
- Believed that he was the only one that could accomplish the goals of eliminating all but the Aryan race.
- Book Mein Kampf was published and was read by a variety of people, had large influence.
The Diplomatic Revolution
- Between 1933 and 1936, Hitler became chancellor of Germany in 1933.
o Hitler knew that Britain and France did not want another war, and was therefore able to rearm Germany, and negotiate his way through the Versailles Treaty.
o Anglo-German Naval Pact allowed Germany to build a navy that would be 35% of the British navy, but in submarines.
- Other European countries applied the basis of appeasement, that if reasonable demands were satisfied, stability would return.
- Hitler gained more allies, including Fascist Italy, Francisco Franco’s Spain, and created the Rome-Berlin Axis. In the East, the Anti-Comintern Pact agreed to maintain a common front against communism between Germany and Japan.
The Path to War
- A secret conference held with the military leaders in Berlin revealed Hitler’s future aims and Germany’s ultimate goal.
Neville Chamberlain = Prime Minister of Britain
- Was a strong advocate of appeasement and believed that the survival of the British Empire depended on Germany.
- Actually told Hitler he would not oppose any action on Central Asia, as long as they were done peacefully.
Kurt von Schuschnigg = Austrian chancellor
- Was coerced by Hitler into putting Austrian Nazis in charge of the government.
o New government allowed German troop to enter Austria and assisted in “maintaining” law an order.
o Germany annexed Austria in 1938.
Munich Conference
- Gathered the British, French, Germans, and Italians (Czechs and Russians weren’t invited)
o Reached an agreement that met Hitler’s demands to occupy Sudetenland (rich natural resource land in Czechoslovakia), and the Czechs were abandoned.
o Chamberlain returned to Britain saying peace had been achieved.
Meanwhile, Hitler established a treaty with the Soviet Union. Hitler joined Stalin in matrimony. Poland was invaded. Here we go again…