Episode 8: German Expansion 1933-1938

Introduction

• Focus on Germany's aggressive expansion in Europe from 1933-1938.
• Hitler's defiance of the Treaty of Versailles to expand Germany's borders for more "Lebensraum" (living space).

Key Nations Opposing German Expansion

Britain

• Preoccupied with its own economic depression post-1929, hence less focus on Germany.
• Viewed the Treaty of Versailles as too harsh; communism was a bigger threat than Germany.
• Considered Germany potentially useful against the spread of communism.

France

• Distrust of Germany due to historical invasions (Franco-Prussian War 1870, World War I 1914).
• Affected by Ruhr crisis; German missed reparation payments led to military interventions by France and Britain.
• France seeks alliance with the "Little Entente" (Romania, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia) as a precaution against Germany.

United States

• Isolationist post-World War I but internationalist in business and commerce.
• Focused on the Great Depression; elected FDR in 1933 who initiated the New Deal.

Treaty of Versailles Recap

• Germany lost colonies, Alsace-Lorraine, and was demilitarized in the Rhineland.
• Reparations were reduced due to economic strains.
• By 1929, France, Britain, and Belgium withdrew troops from the Rhineland.

Hitler's Diplomatic Moves

• 1933 Geneva Disarmament Conference: Advocated for global disarmament to match Germany's reduced military.
• Walked out of the conference and League of Nations, using it as justification to start rearmament.
• Rearmament: Expanded German military significantly beyond Treaty limits.
• 1934 German-Polish Non-Aggression Pact: Secured eastern borders, worried France.

Other Key Events

Civil Unrest and Expansion

• Austrian Civil War in 1934: Hitler backed down due to unpreparedness.
• Saar Plebiscite: 1935 referendum saw 90% vote to return to Germany, a propaganda victory for Hitler.

Rhineland and Appeasement

• 1936: Hitler remilitarized the Rhineland, a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles.
• Britain and France did nothing due to public sentiment and recent memory of WWI.

Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)

• Testing ground for WWII; Germany and Italy supported the Nationalists.
• Strengthened Axis ties through military cooperation.

Rome-Berlin Axis and Anti-Comintern Pact

• 1936 Rome-Berlin Axis: Solidified Germany-Italy relations.
• 1937 Anti-Comintern Pact: Anti-communist agreement between Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Hossbach Memorandum (1937)

• Secret meeting where Hitler outlined aggressive expansion plans.
• Led to purging of opposing generals by 1938.

Conclusion

• Hitler consolidates power and prepares for further aggressive actions.
• Episode outlook: Next we'll discuss international responses to German and Italian expansion.