Did Hitler want world war? Historians differ on this point.
It is possible that he would have preferred to achieve his aims for Germany by peaceful means.
However, we must remember that Hitler was a militarist, who loved fighting in World War I and saw the development of a strong military as a sign of restored German power and prestige.
He also realised that his foreign policy aims would not be achieved without resistance from other European countries.
For instance, he regarded the destruction of France as a prerequisite before Germany would be able to carry out the planned expansion. He also talked of a final showdown with France.
It is also clear that, whether or not Hitler planned on war, he definitely prepared for it. We will discuss his military programme further on in this lesson.
But he also prepared Germany in other ways. He tried to make Germany self-sufficient in both food and raw materials, so that it would be able to withstand a possible blockade of its harbours in time of war.
Test yourself
Click on the correct radio button.
The German youth was prepared for warfare in a physical fitness programme, and the boys were given semi-military training.
Look at these two quotes from two different speeches that were given by Hitler.
Quote A
Hitler in 1934, in answer to a question asked by Herman Rauschning, on whether he really intended to fight the West:
"What else do you think we are arming for? We must proceed step by step, so that no one will impede our advance. How to do this I don't yet know. But that it will be done is guaranteed by Britain's lack of firmness and France's internal disunity."
from Seleti Looking into the Past, Learner's Book Grade 12 by Y, Delius, P, Dyer, C, Naidoo, L, Nisbet, J, Saunders, C. Maskew Miller Longman (Pty) Ltd. 1999.
Quote B
Hitler in a speech to the German Reichstag in 1936:
"We proclaim now more than ever before our wish to further the cause of understanding between the nations of Europe ... In Europe we have no territorial claims to put forward."
from Seleti Looking into the Past, Learner's Book Grade 12 by Y, Delius, P, Dyer, C, Naidoo, L, Nisbet, J, Saunders, C. Maskew Miller Longman (Pty) Ltd. 1999.
Test yourself
Type your answer in the space provided. Click on the submit answer button and compare your answer to the correct answer shown.
Hitler's aggressive foreign policy was one of the major causes of World War II.
Ribbentrop, the Third Reich's foreign affairs expert.
He was the German ambassador in Britain and later became Minister of Foreign Affairs.
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