Hitler's war

Week 12 day 1 (Hitler’s war)

§  Hitler came to power in 1933 and within 6 years, Germany was fighting a war which lasted 6 years and effected countries (directly and indirectly) that spanned the globe.

§  A British historian wrote:”The second world war was Hitler’s personal war.. He intended it , he prepared for it, he chose the moment for launching it..”

§  Errol flynn

§  Before the Putsch in 1923: demands from the Nazi Party were-

-          Union of all Germans to form a greater Germany

-          Cancellation of TOV

-          Land and colonies to feed our people and settle our surplus population

§  From Mein Kampf:

-          Reunion of Germany and Austria is our life task.

-          Germany had an annual increase of 900,000 securing of new land for this excess population has great advantages.. Must be carried out in Europe .. Turn our gaze to the land in the East (Russia)

§  Hitler’s speech 1920-1930:

-          “...There will never be a solution to the German problem until we return to the idea of struggle...”

-          “...I aimed from the start to be destroyer of Communism. I am going to achieve this task...”

-          “...Perhaps the best way to use my power is fighting for new trade  fr Germany , but probably better is the conquest of new living space in the East and ruthlessly making everything there German...”

§  Hossbach Memo in 1937 (speech to leaders of armed forces):

-          “...Hitler asked that this be regarded, in the event of his death, his last will and testament...”

-          “... The aim of German foreign policy was to defend Germany and to enlarge it. It was therefore a question of space... Where could it gain the greatest at the lowest cost...”

-          “...He was determined to solve Germany’s problem of space by 1943-1945 at the latest...”

-          “...Our first objective must be to overthrow Czechoslovakia and Austria...”

-          Hitler believed that Britain and France had already written off the Czhechs.

§  Extract from Hitler’s last will and testament (written before he “commited suicide” in May 1945):

-          “...It is not true that I wanted war in 1939. It was brought about by those international statesmen working for Jewish interests...”

§  Liebenstraum – living room

Week 12 day 2

      1933: within 3 days of becoming leader of Gemany , Hitler announce his rearmament policy to his military leaders. It was the 1st priority and would be secret.

      1935 : Hitler no longer bothered to keep rearmament a secret . He organized a massive rally in Berlin to proclaim rearmament to the world. Signed naval agreement with Britain to allow increase of its navy 35% the size of british navy.

      1936: conscription introduced. Factories were converted to producing arms and military supplies.

      1937: Spanish Civil War as a test of new technology, as well as to show the world its edge

      1938 : Hitler took over command of the armed forces

      1939: War against Britain and France begins . Germany had fewer tanks than Britain and production was slower. (refer Panzers...Why was production slower)

      1939 : Germany only had 3 months supply of fuel

      Hitler put on fake people and tanks on the field  so that when peo

      Hitler’s foreign policy

a.    Step 1 (March 1936): Germany troops enter the Rhineland... German ONLY had 30,000...If resistance was melt , they were to pull out immediately.. No resistance came..

-Excuse: USSR and France had signed a treaty- Germany was surrounded and needed a buffer

-Europe’s response: French woudl not act alone and British stayed out of it. Hitler’s promised peace and no further incursions.

          b.  Step 2 (1938) : Hitler annexed Austria