1. German Expansionism and the Road to War

2. Roots of German Nationalism
Roots of Nazism are found in German unification in and was achieved (as in Japan and Italy) by a combination of
* Internal social and political conflicts
* External military conflicts
Boundaries were never clearly defined, loyalty to local states remained strong
Ultra-nationalists campaigned for imperial expansion (in order to compete with Britain, France)
By end of 19th century, Germany had colonies in
* Africa
* Pacific

3. Map of Colonial Claims, 1900 German colonies: Angola
Namibia (German Southwest Africa)
Mozambique
Tanzania (German East Africa)
Cameroon
Ghana/Togo (Togoland)
New Guinea
Solomon Is.
Nauru
Mariana Is.
Micronesia (Caroline Is.)
Samoa

4. Rise of German Nationalism
* HISTORICAL DEBATE *
Historians have argued over the struggle to accurately define fascism because it lacks a coherent world view (weltanschauung).
Some of the key characteristics include:
Belief in ‘violent action’
Racial supremacy
Nationalism and empire
Some historians have argued it a populist form of ‘ultra-nationalism’ that is reactionary and opportunistic
Nazism emerged as a direct result of WWI (resentment over the peace treaties, economic struggles)
Wanted (like Italy) to redraw the European borders set up during the peace conference, expand national territories (lebensraum – living space)
Great Depression (1929) played an important role in rise of Nazi power (made expansion more attractive because of access to much-needed raw materials)

5. The German “Stab in the Back” Theory
The German people had been convinced (through skillful propaganda) that Germany was winning the war and the armistice (Nov 1918) came as a complete surprise
Nationalists felt betrayed and saw the following groups as responsible for German’s failure:
- liberals, democrats, socialists, communists, Jews
The “stab-in-the-back” theory (the belief that the liberal Weimar government betrayed the ‘undefeated heroes’ of the war by surrendering to the Allies just as victory was near)
This theory (not true) was effectively used by Hitler and the Nazi party in the 1920s

6. Political Cartoons, 1919
Political cartoons from 1919 illustrate the ‘stab-in-the-back’ theory supported by many right-wing Germans following Germany’s defeat in World War I. Reinforced anti-liberalism, anti-Semitism.

7. German Nazism German Nazism goals:
Lebensraum and resources for German people by expanding into eastern Europe (outlined in Mein Kampf)
This expansion was aimed at stopping the spread of communism (SU) and allow Germany to be self-sufficient
Increase Germany’s birthrate (to ensure soldiers for future inevitable wars of conquest)
These varied from those of Japan and Italy in that Germany was not attempting to build an empire.

8. Gustav Stresemann, Chancellor and Foreign Secretary 1923-1929
German Economy
Gustav Stresemann, Chancellor and Foreign Secretary
Pre-World War I
Germany was very industrialized (had fastest growing economy in Europe pre-WWI), very protectionist economic policy
Coal, iron, railway, electrical, chemical
Used $$ from industrialization to build a larger military
Rapid industrialization + rapid militarization = WAR
Post-World War I
War was expensive, lost industrial consumers
Initially not as bad off as rest of Europe (war guilt clause hurt, but didn’t cripple, economy)
Made quick recovery under Gustav Stresemann, Dawes Plan
Great Depression ended prosperity (no more US loans) and industry collapsed, unemployment increased

9. Rise in Nazi Popularity
Hitler used the bad economy to his advantage and became chancellor in January 1933
Complete consolidation of Nazi power by March 1933
Goals included:
- improve economy through government programs (4-Year Plan)
- establish German autarky (economic self-sufficiency and isolation)
- create ‘war economy’ so Germany could fight and win a ‘total war’ in the future