Transcript
Given that Hitler’s long-term goal was likely Germany’s
international dominance, foreign policy as an
overarching feature of Nazi Germany.
It had profound impacts – positive and negative – on
German economy, society and also the ‘Hitler myth’.
The introduction of a Four Year Plan in 1936 was clear
recognition that the Nazis planned to create an economy
that was ready for war.
Even before this much of Germany’s economic plans had
been influenced by military concerns, but this increased
after the Plan was created.
Increased military spending created numerous jobs in
Germany, including building weapons of war and an
increased Wehrmacht (both in violation of Versailles).
Military spending also helped build the wealth of strong
German companies, winning their support for the Nazis.
The additional land that Germany controlled as part of
their expansionist foreign policy was of great help to Germany’s
economy too.
Areas such as Austria, Saar, and Czechoslovakia increased
Germany’s working population, and brought resources such as coal, steel works, shipbuilding
and farm land.
However some Germans believed that there was too strong a focus on military issues, at the expense of
Germany’s general economy.
Hjalmar Schacht for instance felt that the Nazis’ military
focus took many skilled workers away from private
industry, and limited Germany’s economic growth.
German foreign policy also helped instil a pride that Germans felt about their
country.
The growth of German land and its military gave Germany an
enhanced strength, and ended the feelings of vulnerability and humiliation that many Germans felt Versailles had
caused them.
A stronger economy also improved the public mood.
The massive decline in unemployment – and schemes such as Strength through Joy –
also made Germans happier and more confident. In time
though many Germans did feel that they were not truly
financially better off.
Hitler’s foreign policy goal of Lebensraum had a devastating
effect on so-called Outsider groups, especially the Jews.
The Nazi desire for a Germany for Germans saw the Jews firstly resented, secondly
persecuted, and finally ended in the gas chambers at places
such as Dachau.
Hitler’s reputation was greatly enhanced by Germany’s foreign policy, at least until the start of
World War Two.
Germans generally felt that Germany’s foreign actions were
improving the country’s strength, pride and economy.
Hitler thus benefited from this as the country’s clear leader.
The Nazis’ actions also helped stop potential opposition to
Hitler. Army chiefs had plotted overthrowing him over
Czechoslovakia. The successful outcome ended this possibility.
However, some Germans did fear the prospect of war but these feelings only became hugely evident after 1939.
Historians’ views
• MacGregor Knox: Foreign policy was a key feature of Hitler’s plans to control Germany, based on Mussolini’s idea that leadership at home was indispensable to expansion abroad.
• Ian Kershaw: Nazi foreign policy successes were exploited by the use of propaganda to build support for the regime, although Germans did not hugely support the prospect of war.
• A.J.P. Taylor: Germany’s economic recovery was caused by the return of private consumption and spending – rearmament had little to do with it, and was largely a myth until 1936.
top related