Hitler

History Assignment
August 2011

1) Which were Hitler’s plans when he got to power in 1933?

Hitler was determined to destroy the League, and it is doubtful if anything could have saved it. Since 1924 he had been planning what he would do if the Nazis ever achieved power in Germany. He had three main aims: to abolish the Treaty of Versailles, to expand German territory and to defeatcommunism.
The Germans hated the Treaty of Versailles especially because it made Germany have tiny armed forces, the Saar and Danzing were under the League of Nations control, it demilitarized the Rhineland, Anschluss with Austria was forbidden, and Germans were forced to live in Czechoslovakia (the Sudetenland). He called the Germans who signed it “The November Criminals”. As well, the Treaty was aconstant reminder to the Germans of their humiliation in World War I. Hitler did not accept that the German army had lost the war, and he was determined to make Germany great again. Moreover he wanted to expand German territory. As the German population was growing Hitler said that the German nation needed more living space. He was determined to get more by conquering land in eastern Europe. Thiswas connected with his belief that the Aryan race was genetically superior and destined to rule over others. Hitler believed he had the right to invade eastern Europe and make the Slav peoples Germany's slaves. Also, he wanted to unite with Austria and other German minorities such as in Czechoslovakia. Lastly, he wanted to defeat Communism. The Nazis were Fascists: the exact opposite of theCommunists who ruled Russia. Hitler blamed the Communists (Bolsheviks) for Germany's defeat in World War One, and he feared that the Communists were trying to take over Germany. He was determined to destroy Communism, and this meant a war with Russia.

2) Why did Britain and France follow the policy of Appeasement?

Britain signed the naval agreement with Germany in 1935. For the next three years,Britain followed appeasement; they gave to Hitler what he wanted. Neville Chamberlain is the man most associated with the policy although he did not become Prime Minister until 1937. However many other British people, including many politicians, were also in favour of this policy.
There are several reasons for this decision taken by Britain and France. Firstly it may be said that both Britishand French leaders vividly remembered the horrific experiences of the First World War. They wished to avoid another war at almost any cost. As well the British government believed that the armed forces were not ready for war against Hitler. Another argument was that the British and French economic problems were a higher priority. They were still suffering from the effects of the Depression; they hadlarge debts and huge unemployment. Moreover, many felt that the Treaty of Versailles was unfair to Germany. They assumed that once this wrongs were put right then Germany would become a peaceful nation again. Another thought was that they knew that USA would not support them if they stand up to Hitler, as they were determined not to be dragged into another war. Britain and her allies knew thatthey will just cannot face up to Germany without the guarantee of American support, so this decision was definitely a hazard for them. To continue, it may be also said that Hitler was not the only concern of Britain and its allies; he was not even their main worry. They were more concerned about the spread of Communism and particularly about the dangers to world peace posed by Stalin. At leastHitler was standing up to Communism. Many saw him as the buffer to threat of spreading Communism. To conclude it may be said that the British Empire and Commonwealth states just did not want another war against Germany.

3) What was agreed at the Yalta Conference in 1945?

During the War, Britain and the USA were allies of the Soviet Union but the only thing that united them was their hatred...