Nazism
Nazism
Austrian Origin
His father was a Jew and of Austrian origin. Got
separated from his mother. His mother while working
at different places took him along her. A failed
education and the death of his mother in 1908 left
him without any income.
WW1
On the outbreak of war Hitler was in Munich and
joined the army in 1914’s conscription. He found in
war a degree of companionship( that he had not
enjoyed before) and an outlet for his national
sentiments. He had a good military record and
wounded twice.
Background of Adolf
Hitler
Munich
In 1919 he was posted to Munich as an
army education officer. While he was there,
he made a reputation as a mob orator,
attacking Weimer and democracy, the
threat of communism and Jews.
He emphasized the idea of racial and
biological unity (of das volt) and the great
destiny of purified Germany. It was in these
years that the basic structure of Nazi
movement was developed.
The establishment of National Socialist
German Party
Hitler aimed to make Germany into a great power again and this
he hoped to achieve by destroying the hatred Versailles
settlement, building up the army, recovering lost territory ( such
as the Saar and the Polish corridor ) and bringing all the Germans
within the Reich. The last aim would involve the annexation of
Austria and the acquisition of territory from Poland and
Czechoslovakia, which had large German minorities as a result of
Versailles settlement.
The first step he took in his foreign policy was...
1, Withdrawal of Germany from disarmament
conference => in 1933 Hitler withdrew Germany from the
world disarmament conference and the League of Nations, on the
ground that France would not agree to German equality of
armaments. At the same time he insisted that Germany was
willing to disarm , if other states agreed to do the same and that
he wanted only peace.
Foreign Policy of Hitler
2, Non-aggression pact with Poland => In January 1934 Hitler signed a
non aggression pact with the Poles, who were showing alarm in case the
German tried to take back the Polish corridor. Britain took it as a further
evidence of Hitler’s peaceful intentions and it guaranteed Polish neutrality
whenever Germany should move against Austria and Czechoslovakia.
3, Failure of Anschluss (union) July 1934 => Hitler suffered a set-back
in his ambitions of Anschluss between Germany and Austria. The Austrian
Nazis encouraged by Hitler staged a revolt and murdered the Chancellor
Engelburt Dollfuss. However when Mussolini moved Italian troops to the
Austrian frontier and warned the Germans off, the revolt collapsed.
4, Return of SAAR to Germany (Jan 1935) => The SAAR was returned
to Germany after a Plebiscite. Nazi propaganda made most of the success
and Hitler announced that now all causes of grievances between Germany
and France had been removed.
Reintroduction of conscription (March 1935) => Hitler’s first
successful breach of Versailles came in March 1935 when he announced the
reintroduction of conscription. His excuse was that Britain had just
announced increase in airforce and France had extended conscription from
12 to 18 months.
Foreign Policy of Hitler