Hitler's Early Policy (1933-1935)

• Hitler's Early Policy was surprisingly reasonable. He seems to be pursuing peace/alternatively you could interpret as buying time to prepare. His first three basic moves are
  • Rearming after disarmament
  • The Non-Aggression pact with Poland
  • The naval agreements with the British
• Hitler's foreign policy can be (early on) seen as a smooth continuation of the Weimar Republic. Weimar/German issues lay at the feet of Versailles.
  • The Reparations, which are toned down by the Dawes and Young Plans
  • Territorial losses, which were talked about at Locarno. The boundaries were confirmed in the West but potentially could be moved in the East.
  • Rejection from the League of Nations
  • Change to a Republican form of government
  • With regards to disarmament, Germany is limited to 100,000 men with weapons restrictions, which were covertly circumvented with the Rapallo Treaty with the Soviets in 1922. Hitler had used Versailles and its repeal a centerpiece of Nazi platform. Hitler's rearmament has positive domestic repercussions, but he has to walk a diplomatic tightrope
• Germany's road to rearmament
  • The Geneva Disarmament Conference 1932-34 sponsored by the League with US involvement
  • Already there had been disarmament agreements, for example the Washington Naval Conference (1921) 5-5-3-1.7-1
  • Also the London Conference (1930) which added battleships and carriers 10-10-7-3.5-3.5
  • Since 1932, the Germans had demanded "equality of arms" mainly
  • Britain pushes the French to make a deal, since they are so concerned with the Balance of Power, and France refuses since they are concerned with their security.
  • For France security is paramount, but having a relatively large standing army with all its equipments has helped France weather the Great Depression, purely for Keynesian reasons. This deficit spending helps the French during the GD along with a great public works project also born from French insecurity. Its called the Maginot Line.
  • Hitler faced with French with recalcitrance, withdraws from the Conference and League. Hitler "reluctantly" announces rearmament since France won't, we are forced to rearm.
  • Hitler's initial action is a conscription of 450,000 soldiers with no restriction on weapons. This makes the Army very happy, and also benefits the industrialists. The German people are working and elated over the demise of Versailles, and the League.
• Alliances and stuff
  • Poland
    • In 1934 Hitler signs a bilateral agreement, a non-aggression pact with the Poles. What the hell?
    • Hitler avoids the possibility of 2-front war, the French threat is compromised, and Hitler is giving peace a second chance.
  • Britain (AGNA)
    • In 1935, Hitler's next masterful stroke in foreign policy is to make a deal with Britain. Like the Kaiser, Hitler would like friendly terms with the British.
    • The Anglo-German Naval Agreement (1935). They have not been signatories at the World Naval conferences. This bilateral agreement happened in 1935, and basically added Germany into the proportional navy laws.
• The Dollfus Murder
  • The Röhm Purge (1934) in Germany set off a series of demonstrations by the Nazi Party in neighboring Austria. Austrian Nazis, against Hitlers wishes, attempt to seize power in Austria (called the Anschluss). The Anschluss is a violation of St. Germaine.
  • The Nazis break into Austrian chancellery and murder Austrian leader Engelbert Dollfuss.
  • Austria, after failure of Kreditanstalt, has fallen the sphere of influence with Italy.
  • Hitler is friendly with Mussolini, friendly because they are both Catholic with cleric-fascist government.
  • Dolfuss's murder induces Mussolini to send 100,000 troops to Austria's border. He forewarns Hitler, "If you invade Austria, Italy will declare war."
  • The Nazi uprising is quelled and Hitler reigns in his Austrian party. In combination with German Rearmament, France, Italy, and Britain realize that they need to present a united front in the face of a new German Government, although AGNA shows British duplicity.
• The Saar Plebiscite
  • In 1920, the Saarland was awarded to France on a 15 year lease. Thereafter, the populace of the Saar could vote on which country they wish to join
  • Less than 1% vote to go to France, 9% want to remain a League Mandate, and 90% want to go to Germany.
  • Hitler sees this as an affirmation of his policies and is emboldened.