Hitler’s foreign policy had three clear aims—
(1) To destroy Versai Treaty (2) Unification of all Germans (3) Expansion of German Empire.
He withdrew from the League of Nations.
Sar was merged into Germany because its 90% population wished so.
Hitler stopped paying war damages to Allies. In 1935, military service was made compulsory. In 1934, Hitler signed 10 year ‘No War Treaty’ with Poland. In 1935, he signed a pact with Britain according to which Germany could expand its army.
In 1936 Hitler seized Rhineland and in 1938 Austria. France and Britain protested but Hitler ignored them. In 1938 Hitler annexed German majority Sudtenland into his empire.
Hitler asked Poland to surrender Denzig to it. Poland refused. On 1 September, 1939 German bombers pounded Poland and the army seized Denzig. France and Britain issued ultimatum to Hitler to withdraw from Poland within 48 hours. Hitler did not bother to reply even. Thus France and Britain were forced to declare war against Germany.
That started the Second World War.
One thing everyone had to admit that within two years Hitler had transformed the face of Germany. It had become an industrial giant and flourishing nation. When British foreign minister James Simon went to Berlin in 1935, he was stunned at the transformation of Germany. Its army had 5½ lac well equipped soldiers in violation of Versai Treaty. The Allies protested and tried to put pressure on Germany. Hitler retaliated by going to polls to seek fresh public support. He was again chosen as the supremo of Germany with overwhelming majority. Hitler threw the Versai Treaty in his waste paper basket.
He declared that all the colonial regions taken away from Germany in the wake of the defeat in the First World War would be regained by all means.
After Germany’s claim over Sudtenland of Czechoslovakia and was recognised by other nations to avert war, Poland, Hungary also seized those parts of Czechoslovakia they had been laying claim over.
Axis alliance
Italy’s fascist dictator Mussolini admired Hitler. Both had the same style of functioning and mindset. On Hitler’s invitation Mussolini visited Berlin on 23 September, 1936. He was accorded a grand reception and a military parade was organised in his honour.
Mussolini was amazed to see Hitler’s military power. Germany and Italy signed cooperation treaty. Japan was also impressed by the progress of Germany and sought co-operation of Hitler who was delighted.
Hitler thought that the three countries together could rule over the world. Eventually the three became war partners called ‘Axis Forces’.
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