Chapter 3: Hitler's Foreign Policy

Anschluss

Date:1934 a union between Germany and Austria. This union was one of Hitler's ways to restore Germany's position as a major european power. However, Germany's attempt failed, as the Italian troops set them back.

Conscription

Date:1935 This was a compulsory military service for certain groups of society. Men between certain ages is an example. Hitler introduced this to develop his armed forces. He claimed that this was the response to increases in the British air force. There was then an announcement that France was extend its conscription from 12 to 18 months.

Third Reich (Deutsches Reich)

Date: 1919-1933 This was the constitution of Hitler's new totalitarian state. Between 1919 and 1933, it's official name was Deutsches Reich. Hitler however used the term "Third Reich" because it linked the present with Germany's past glories. Reich is another term for empire as well.

Engelbert Dollfuss

Date:1892-1934 Engelbert was the chancellor of Austria. He was assassinated by Austrian nazi's who had staged a revolt. He served as chancellor between 1932 and 1934. Before then, he was an Austrian politician.

Locarno Treaties

Date: 1925 A series of treaties that settled Germany's disputed borders with France, Belgium, Czech, and Poland. It was to create greater stability and security in Europe. The most significant outcome was that Germany, France, and Belgium promised to respect their frontiers. It also marked a major turning point in international affairs.

Stressa Front

Date: 1935 An alliance between Britain, France and Italy. This was a result of Germany's rearmament. They were concerned about it's possible implications. They met at Stresa at northern Italy. It reaffirmed the Locarno Treaties and pledged to continued support for Austrian independence. It also asserted its intention to resist Germany's attempts to increase its armaments.

Adolf Hitler

Date:1889-1945 Hitler was the chancellor of Germany. He was born in Austria and moved to Munich in 1913. He fought as a corporal in WWI and was awarded medals for bravery. He soon adopted a right wing nationalist outlook and joined the German Workers' party/ Nazi party. As he became chancellor in 1933, he established his dictatorship and foreign policy. His polices led to the outbreak of WWII in 1939. Toward the end of the war, he had committed suicide.

Weimar Republic

Date:1919-1933 Weimar republic was a republic established in Germany. Its establishment came about following the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II. However, the republic could not cope with problems such as the strikes and riots caused by high inflation and unemployment. The name of thye republic comes from the city (Weimar), where the new constitution was agreed.

National Socialist German Workers Party

Date:1920 This was a party that supported the ideology of national socialism. It's commonly referred to as the Nazi party. Hitler had became its's leader in 1921. It evolved from the small German workers party in the city of Munich. It begun with unemployed youths drawn to Hitlers magnetic speeches.

World Disarmament Conference

Date:1932-1933 This was when all European's leading powers committed to arms reduction. This was for both the Treaty of Versailles and by the Covenant of the League of Nations. However, Germany was the only one to honor the commitment. This then led to the Disarmament conference to address the issue.

Anglo-Naval agreement

Date:June 1935 An agreement made between Britain and Germany. It said Germany will limit its navy to 35% the strength of Britain's navy. This guaranteed Naval supremacy. The signing of this treaty demonstrated the weakness of the Stresa Front Alliance. Hitler was fully aware of this weakness and exploited it to making this treaty.

Stormtroopers

Date:N/A Stormtroopers were gangs organized by the Nazi Party. They attacked the meetings of rival political parties and injured political opponents. They were specifically tasked with using violence. With worries concerning the a communist revolution, authorities did little to stop them. In fact, Hitler encouraged their behavior and found it a pity that there wasn't more of them.