German Foreign Policy Essay

Resource Description

Assess the significance of German foreign policy as a cause of conflict in Europe in 1939.

(Word Count: 1205)

Adolf Hitler’s aggressive foreign policy was highly significant as a cause of conflict in Europe in 1939. Hitler never planned a global war, however conflict began in Europe due to his foreign policy, which can be understood as advancing through three key stages from 1933-39. The ultimate goal of German foreign policy was eastwards expansion into Russia to secure Lebensraum (living space) for the racial state and this triggered conflict in Europe. If each stage of foreign policy had not been completed, Lebensraum could not have been pursued and conflict would not have been caused. Revising the Versailles Treaty and rapid rearmament from 1933-35 primed Germany for war and created the necessary instrument to pursue Hitler’s ultimate goal. The second stage of foreign policy, securing the Grossdeutschland (Greater Germany) from 1936-38, created an alliance with Italy and secured Germany’s borders, which began to increase international tension and enabled Hitler to embark on his final goal. Aggressive expansion in the sake of Lebensraum in 1939, was the central cause of conflict as the invasion of Poland exacerbated European tensions and tipped the Western powers’ policy of appeasement to a declaration of war. German foreign policy was majorly benefitted by Britain and France’s policy of appeasement and the collapse of collective security, which allowed Hitler to pursue his aims without initial retaliation. Although these two factors influenced German foreign policy, it was inherently the aims and strategies of Hitler’s foreign policy that provoked conflict in Europe in 1939.