2. 1. Rearmament Policy - Rhineland & Military aspect Hitler argued that under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was militarily weak He wanted other countries to disarm too The disarmament of other countries did not happen Hence, Germany took measures to protect herself 2
3. 1. Rearmament Policy - Rhineland & Military aspect Instead of building up a democratic army, the members of the Berlin General Staff decided to push forth plans for revenge (not contented that Germany should suffer such humiliation) Eventually turned into an offensive force (especially when Hitler became the chancellor) 3
4.
5. This gave him greater confidence to break more terms of the treaty
6. He knew France and Britain were unwilling to go into battle again (though they were militarily stronger), so he pushed the boundaries of the treaty
7. He broke the treaty again when he decided to send German troops into Rhineland (France was horrified, but Britain resisted going to war over the issue saying that Germany was just going to an area that was theirs)4
8. 1. Rearmament Policy - Rhineland & Military aspect Plans for revenge through rearmament programme began as early as in the 1920s. Cooperated with China’s Red army and carried out illegal manoeuvres on the territory of the Soviet Union Not opposed with the Parliamentary German incursion into the borders of Czechoslvakia 5
9. 1. Rearmament Policy - Rhineland & Military Aspect Officially pursued from 1933 onwards. Germany became the lead in armament in 3 years. (The other European countries could scarcely recoup) Hence, in 1936, the Weimar political leaders decided that the capacity to take revenge must be attained in a short period Air attacks and a terror attack (bombardment of the civilians) were launched against the Spanish Republic in 1937. 6
10. 1. Rearmament Policy - Rhineland & Military Aspect First, German forces advanced into Austria Afterwards, Germany gained favourable starting position for subsequent battles (expanded through attacks on Poland, France, Norway and European-wide Countries) This followed with a surprise attack on the Soviet Union and subsequently, into a World War 7
11. 2. Sino-German cooperation (1911–1941) Cooperation between China and Germany Aim: modernizing the industry and the armed forces of the Republic of China Intense cooperation lasted from 1933 (when Nazis took over Germany) to 1937 (when the 2nd Sino-Japanese War took place) 8
12. 3. Anti-Comintern Pact Signed on 25th November 1936, between Germany and Japan Declared hostility of the two countries to international communism In case of an unprovoked attack by the Soviet Union against Germany or Japan, the two nations agreed to consult on what measures to take "to safeguard their common interests“ Neither nation would make any political treaties with the Soviet Union. 9
13. 3. Anti-Comintern Pact Italy joined the pact on 6th Nov 1937 Formed the group Axis Powers A reaction against the failed Stresa front, the Franco-British initiative of 1935, designed to keep Nazi Germany from extending beyond her present borders Destroyed Sino-German relations 10
14. 4. Pact of Steel Formally as the Pact of Friendship and Alliance between Germany and Italy An agreement between Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany Signed on 22nd May 1939, by the foreign ministers of each country Witnessed by Count Galeazzo Ciano for Italy Joachim von Ribbentrop for Germany. 11
15. 4. Pact of Steel 2 sections: An open declaration of continuing trust and cooperation between Germany and Italy A 'Secret Supplementary Protocol' encouraged a joint military and economic policy However, certain members of the Italian government, including the signatory Ciano, were opposed to the Pact 12
16. 5. The Tripartite Pact Also called the Three-Power Pact, Axis Pact, Three-way Pact or Tripartite Treaty Signed in Berlin, Germany on 27th September, 1940 Signed by Saburo Kurusu of Japan Adolf Hitler of Germany Galeazzo Ciano (foreign minister) of Italy Military alliance and official founding the Axis Powers of World War II that opposed the Allied Powers. 13
17. 5. The Tripartite Pact Formalized the Axis Powers' partnership Opposed to the Allies (the British Empire, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America, a.k.a "The Big Three") during World War II. Though Germany‘s relations with Italy improved, tensions remained high – Nazis wanted Austria to be incorporated into Germany. Italy was opposed to this, as were France and Britain. 14
18. 6. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact Officially titled the Treaty of Non-aggression between Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Signed in Moscow on 24th August 1939 (but dated 23rd August) Renounced warfare between the two countries and pledged neutrality by either party if the other were attacked by a third party 15
19. 7. Anschluss Incorporation of Austria into Greater Germany by Nazi Germany Austria was merged into Nazi Germany on 12 March 1938 16
