Hitler believed a healthy, pure race would gain mastery in the struggle for survival in the world. From this came Hitler’s ideology of a ‘master race’; the ‘peoples community’ would be superior to all other communities because it would be made up of pure Germans; there would be no room for the disabled, non- Aryans, especially Jews and Gypsies in Hitler’s vision. The Nazi’s believed it was a women’s duty to be good mothers at home caring for their children, whilst the fathers went out to work. Hitler saw no grounds for women to work, apart from specialist jobs. The Nazi’s started by passing laws; women were removed from state employment; they could not work as civil servants, lawyers or judges. Many women teachers and all doctors lost their jobs. This freed up jobs for unemployed men thus helping the economy. However, by 1937, Germany was short of workers and with men being called up to fight in the war, the shortage grew. Women were encouraged to take jobs.
For Hitler's foreign policy to be successful it needed a stronger Germany. This would take time.
With a slim majority in the Reichstag and an insignificant army of one hundred thousand men, Hitler would have to tread warily in foreign affairs. Any kind of hard line had to be put aside until he had succeeded in bringing the Reich military strength nearer the numbers and materials of his heavily armed neighbors. What he needed for this was time…'
The Unmaking of Adolf Hitler, Eugene Davidson, 2004, p 26.
In 1934 Germany signed a Non-Aggression Pact and then a trade agreement with Poland. This included an end to previous border disputes, agreement to negotiate differences and a ten year non-aggression treaty. This stabilised Germany's eastern borders and gave Hitler time to continue rearmament and focus on other aspects of Nazi foreign policy. Five years later Germany would officially end the treaty and invade Poland (September 1, 1939)
Questions to consider in the comments:
1. What is the significance of this pact for Germany, Poland, France, Russia and Britain?
2. Using your own knowledge and research, explain why Hitler decided to invade Poland?
3. Find three sources detailing how Hitlers government policies affect the economy of Germany?
For Hitler's foreign policy to be successful it needed a stronger Germany. This would take time.
With a slim majority in the Reichstag and an insignificant army of one hundred thousand men, Hitler would have to tread warily in foreign affairs. Any kind of hard line had to be put aside until he had succeeded in bringing the Reich military strength nearer the numbers and materials of his heavily armed neighbors. What he needed for this was time…'
The Unmaking of Adolf Hitler, Eugene Davidson, 2004, p 26.
In 1934 Germany signed a Non-Aggression Pact and then a trade agreement with Poland. This included an end to previous border disputes, agreement to negotiate differences and a ten year non-aggression treaty. This stabilised Germany's eastern borders and gave Hitler time to continue rearmament and focus on other aspects of Nazi foreign policy. Five years later Germany would officially end the treaty and invade Poland (September 1, 1939)
Questions to consider in the comments:
1. What is the significance of this pact for Germany, Poland, France, Russia and Britain?
2. Using your own knowledge and research, explain why Hitler decided to invade Poland?
3. Find three sources detailing how Hitlers government policies affect the economy of Germany?