How to use this booklet
Do
Identify your weaker areas and work on
them first
Break down the topics into chunks. You
will find a page on each topic, plus tasks or
past paper questions to complete
Use the YouTube links on the VLE to break
up your revision
Ask your teacher to mark past paper
questions or for advice if you are stuck
of confused.
Don’t
Try to do everything at once
Only focus on topics that you like
Leave everything til the last
minute
Panic!
Hitler’s foreign policy: Key issue- how did these events lead to WW2? Could
Hitler have been stopped?
Hitler’s foreign policy aims
Rearmament in Germany
The Saar plebiscite 1935
Failed Anschluss
Remilitarisation of The Rhineland 1936
Anschluss with Austria 1938
Reasons for and against appeasement
Czechoslovakia- Sudetenland
Munich Conference
Invasion of Czechoslovakia 139
Nazi Soviet Pact 1939
Poland invasion 1939- outbreak of war
Tick
when
done
Background and beginning to rearm.
Read this page, then complete the tasks on the next page without looking back.
The Treaty of Versailles
At the end of WW1, Germany had been forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles. The Treaty had left the
French dissatisfied because they felt Germany had not been weakened enough.
People in Germany hated the Treaty because it had made the country weaker and had humiliated them.
Hitler used this grievance to gain support for his aggressive foreign policy in the 1930s. He also used the
grievance to his advantage, amongst other European leaders who felt that perhaps Germany had been
dealt with too harshly.
Hitler’s Aims
In 1924, whilst he was in jail, for the unsuccessful Munich Putsch of 1923, Hitler began writing “Mein
Kampf” it set out his aims for the future. The purpose of his book was to tell people what they wanted to
hear so they would vote for him.
To remember Hitler’s aims, think MOULD
1.
Make Germany a great country again
2.
Overturn the Treaty of Versailles, rearm Germany and recover its lost
territories;
4.
Unite all German speaking people under his control;
Lebensraum (living space) for the German people.
5.
Destroy the Communist USSR
3.
2
Hitler’s Foreign Policy- Paper One Revision
Tasks:
4 mark exam Q (describe 3 clear points)
5 mins
When he came to power, Hitler planned to make Germany a great power again. Describe Hitler’s main
aims in foreign policy in the 1930s. (4 marks)
:
6 mark exam Q (Remember to MOP Message, Own knowledge, Purpose)
10-15 mins
From Mein Kampf, written by Adolf Hitler in 1924.
We demand equality of rights for the German people in its dealings with other nations. We demand the abolition of
the Treaty of Versailles.
Study the source above. Source C gives two of Hitler’s aims in foreign policy. Do you agree that these
were Hitler’s main aims in foreign policy in the 1930s?
Explain your answer by referring to the purpose of the source, as well as using its content and your
knowledge. (6 marks)
:
3
:
Key term
Lebensraum
Treaty of
Versailles
Mein Kampf
4
Meaning
Write it in a sentence
Hitler’s Foreign Policy- Paper One Revision
Hitler’s Foreign Policy
German Rearmament
Read this page, then complete the tasks on the next page without looking back.

Hitler withdrew Germany from the world disarmament conference in 1933.
- He claimed Germany would disarm if all its neighbours did the same, but as no other countries
were getting rid of their weapons, Germany wouldn’t either.

1933 Withdrew Germany from League of Nations
- The League was an early form of the UN. This gave an indication Hitler did not want to follow their
rules.
 1935 re-introduced conscription to build up German army.
He justified this because other countries were increasing their arms and therefore Germany had to be
strong enough to defend itself. Although this went against the Treaty of Versailles no countries were
prepared to stop Germany.
 1935 Signed naval agreement with Britain.
This allowed Germany to build a fleet as long as it was no bigger than 35% of British fleet. Britain believed
it was better to get an agreement on a small increase than having no say at all. This broke the term of the
Treaty that said Germany should only have 6 ships and no submarines.
Britain allowed these two things to happen because they
1) thought the Treaty had been too harsh
2) were more worried about the USSR and thought that a stronger Germany would be a good buffer
against Communism
Nazi Re-armament
Warships
Aircraft
Soldiers
% government spending on armaments
1932
30
36
100,000
1
1939
95
8,250
950,000
23
The Saar Plebiscite 1935
Under the Treaty of Versailles the Saar was to be under control of the
League of Nations for 15 years – at which time the German people
would vote to decide their fate.
January 1935, 90% voted to return to Germany. Hitler’s Nazi Party
celebrated this as the first of the Versailles injustices to be removed.
This was entirely legal under the treaty.
Hitler used this as positive propaganda. He also gained the valuable
resources in the Saar.
5
Tasks:
4 mark exam Q (describe 3 clear points)
5 mins
The industrial area of the Saar was taken from Germany by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. Describe what
happened in the Saar in 1935 and its importance for Hitler. (4 marks)
:
4 mark exam Q (describe 3 clear points)
5 mins
In 1934 Hitler signed an agreement with Poland and in 1935 he signed a naval agreement with Britain.
Describe the main features of these two agreements. (4 marks)
:
 Key word: Plebiscite means….
6
Hitler’s Foreign Policy- Paper One Revision
The re-militarisation of the Rhineland, 1936
Read this page, then complete the tasks on the next page
The Rhineland – the area bordering France – had been demilitarised by the Treaty of Versailles. This meant
Germany was not allowed to put troops or weapons in it to protect France. It was still German land but
was used as a buffer state.
7th March 1936
Hitler ordered 32,000 German troops (quite a small
amount, many of whom were unarmed policemen on
bicycles so he wouldn’t look aggressive) to march to the
Rhineland.
"If France had then marched into the Rhineland, we
would have had to withdraw with our tails between
our legs." - Hitler
Hitler admitted that he would have backed down if Britain and France had stood up to him. He had broken
another rule in the Treaty of Versailles.
Britain and France did nothing – the German public were delighted and Hitler felt encouraged to continue
pursuing his policies. If France weren’t prepared to act over something that could have directly
threatened them, Hitler could hedge his bets they wouldn’t act over things that didn’t.
Why didn’t Britain and France act?
Many historians believe that stopping Hitler from remilitarising the Rhineland was the last chance to
oppose him without having to go to war. The German army was still weak in 1936.
Britain didn’t act because…
France didn’t act because…
They wouldn’t act without France
Felt the Treaty was too harsh- Hitler was only putting
troops into his own land and this was fair enough
They wouldn’t act without Britain
There was an election taking place in France, no one
wanted to be the person to take France to war as no one
would vote for them!
Both were too busy dealing with Mussolini invading Abyssinia to bother about German soldiers going into German
land.
Hitler had correctly guessed that the League of Nations would not take action against Germany.
The League of Nations officially condemned Hitler’s action BUT did nothing. In return Hitler offered to sign
a 25 year peace treaty. This meant Hitler had got his own way again and another of the Treaty of Versailles
injustices had been removed.
Results-
1) Hitler gained in confidence. 2) He has achieved part of his aim to overturn the Treaty. 3) The
Rhineland showed him that Britain and France were unlikely to stand up to him and he could begin to push
his luck even further by taking over more places.
7
Tasks: The Remilitarisation of the Rhineland 1936
A Nazi photograph of German troops marching
into the Rhineland, March 1936.
10-15 mins
Remember
Message
Own knowledge
Purpose of the source
Hint! When thinking about the purpose of this photo,
remember it was taken for a reason and would have
been used in the German papers for propaganda. It is
not enough just to say that it is propaganda- you
need to identify the purpose of the propaganda is!
The Source shows German soldiers marching unopposed into the Rhineland in March 1936.
Do you agree that the strength of the German army was the main reason why there was no opposition
to Hitler’s remilitarisation of the Rhineland?
What are other reasons there was no opposition to
Hitler in the Rhineland? Make sure you explain
Explain your answer by referring to the
them! Why didn’t Britain and France stop him?
purpose of the source, as well as using its
content and your knowledge. (6 marks)
:
8
Hitler’s Foreign Policy- Paper One Revision
The Anschluss 1938 Read this page, then complete the tasks on the next page
The joining together of Austria and Germany (Anschluss) was
forbidden under the Treaty of Versailles.
However, it was one of Hitler’s aims to get all Germanspeaking people united under his control.
People in Austria spoke German.
Hitler first tried to take control of Austria in 1934,
after members of the Austrian Nazi Party had murdered the
Austrian chancellor.
However he was prevented by the future Austrian chancellor,
Schuschnigg and Italy’s dictator, Mussolini.
However, in 1936 the Spanish Civil War broke out and both
Hitler and Mussolini supported the Spanish fascist
General Franco. This new found friendship between Germany
and Italy was formalised in 1936 by the signing of the
Rome-Berlin Axis. This was followed by the Anti-Comintern
Pact signed by Germany Italy and Japan – to prevent the
spread of communism.
With Mussolini now his ally, the stage was set for Hitler’s
next step.
This cartoon was drawn by a British
cartoonist February 1938. It shows Hitler as
a poacher, stealing Austria, represented by
the deer. Mussolini is shown as a bad gamekeeper, failing to stop him; ‘I never heard a
shot, Adolf’’, he is saying.
Its purpose is to warn about Hitler’s
intentions.
Anschluss 1938: What happened
1. 1938 Hitler ordered Austrian Nazi Party to start a campaign in Austria for union with Germany –
Riots and demonstrations followed.
2. Austrian Chancellor – Schuschnigg tried to arrange a plebiscite (referendum) on the matter of
union.
3. Hitler moved German troops to the border to stop the plebiscite from happening. Schuschnigg
resigned.
4. Seyss-Inquart – a leading Austrian Nazi Schuschnigg had been forced to make chief of police –
invited German troops into Austria to “restore order”.
5. German troops entered Austria and imprisoned 80,000 opponents of Hitler.
6. Hitler then entered Austria and the Anschluss was declared on 14 March 1938.
7. A plebiscite was held and 99.75% agreed with the Anschluss, though many were threatened to vote
“YES”. The vote was held to “legitimise” the invasion to other nations like Britain so they wouldn’t
protest.
Results



Germany added seven million people and an army of 100,000 to its Reich.
Germany gained useful resources such as steel and iron ore
Czechoslovakia was now surrounded on three fronts by Germany.
9
Tasks:
4 mark exam Q (describe 3 clear points)
5 mins
Hitler wanted to unite all German speaking people. Describe how Hitler was able to gain control of Austria
in 1938. (4 marks)
:
Explain how the Anschluss met some of Hitler’s aims?



Explain how the Anshcluss was a danger to European peace?



10
Hitler’s Foreign Policy- Paper One Revision
Why did Chamberlain’s policy of appeasement fail to prevent the outbreak of war in
1939?
Read and highlight the next 3 pages, then complete the tasks.
'Appeasement' means 'giving in to a bully'. It tried to give Hitler a bit of what he wanted, so that he would
be satisfied and stop. Nowadays, many people criticise Chamberlain for appeasing Hitler.
The Policy of Appeasement
When Neville Chamberlain became PM in 1937 appeasement continued to be Britain’s main policy towards
Germany.

Chamberlain wanted to find out what Germany (Hitler) wanted and show that, if the claims were
reasonable, they could be discussed.

Chamberlain believed Germany had genuine grievances under the Treaty of Versailles and if these
could be dealt with by negotiation then Hitler could live in peace with the rest of the world.

For appeasement to work Hitler’s aims had to be limited and he had to keep his word.
There was a lot of support in Britain for the policy of appeasement.
 People wanted to avoid war – everyone could remember the destruction of war.
 Britain was not prepared for war.
 Many people in Britain thought the Treaty was too harsh on Germany.
 Some politicians saw a strong Germany as a barrier against communism.
Czechoslovakia, 1938
Czechoslovakia had: a large army, strong defences, valuable industry, mineral deposits and defence
agreements with Russia and France.
Hitler wanted Czechoslovakia as part of his policy of LEBENSRAUM (living space)
3 Million German speakers from the old Austro-Hungarian Empire lived in Czechoslovakia, most lived in the
Sudetenland. They gave Hitler the excuse he needed to invade.
What Happened?
The Czech Nazi party pressured the government to make compromises to the Sudeten Germans. The
leader of the Czech Nazis, Konrad Henlein, kept asking for more and more. German troops massed on the
border, the Czech government prepared to resist. Britain and France, wanting to avoid war, persuaded the
Czech government to make further concessions. It became clear Hitler was not going to be satisfied with
compromises – he wanted to make the
Sudetenland part of Germany.
England footballers give the Nazi salute
before a match in Germany in 1938
11
Appeasement in Action
12 September 1938
Hitler announced he wanted the Sudeten Germans to join Germany. Czech
Nazis began to riot and were crushed by the government.
15 September 1938
Chamberlain met with Hitler to discuss his demands. Chamberlain persuaded
the Czechs to give parts of the Sudetenland to Germany.
22 September 1938
Chamberlain informed Hitler of the agreement. Hitler responded by
announcing he wanted ALL of the Sudetenland. Chamberlain returned to
Britain to prepare for war.
War was avoided when Mussolini persuaded Hitler to attend a four-power conference in Munich on 29th
September.
The Munich Conference
Four Leaders
Hitler – Germany
Chamberlain – Britain
Mussolini – Italy
Daladier – France
Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia were NOT INVITED
It was agreed that the Sudetenland would become part of Germany
immediately. The Czechs were forced to accept this.
1st October – German army occupies the Sudetenland.
Chamberlain returned to Britain a hero . PEACE in Europe had been maintained. (although he did have
some critics – Churchill).
The next day Hitler and Chamberlain sign an agreement in which both countries agree to consult over
any problems and never to go to war with each other – THE MUNICH AGREEMENT
1938: 'Peace for our time'
- Chamberlain
The British Prime Minister was
been hailed as bringing
"peace to Europe" after
signing a non-aggression pact
with Germany.
PM Neville Chamberlain
arrived back in the UK,
holding an agreement signed
by Adolf Hitler which stated
the German leader's desire
never to go to war with
Britain again.
12
Hitler’s Foreign Policy- Paper One Revision
Tasks:
6 mark exam Q (Remember to MOP Message, Own knowledge, Purpose)
10-15 mins
SOURCE: From a speech made on 3 October 1938 by Neville Chamberlain in the British Parliament,
during the debate following the Munich Agreement.
“The real victory is that the Munich Agreement has shown that four great powers can keep the peace by
using discussion instead of war. It has prevented a war which would have destroyed our civilisation”
The Source gives Chamberlain’s view of the Munich Agreement.
Do you agree with Chamberlain that the Munich Agreement was a victory for peace? Explain your answer
by referring to the purpose of the source, as well as using its content and your knowledge.
Do you think Chamberlain genuinely believed what he was
saying and Hitler’s promises? Why might he be saying this if he
didn’t?
:
Explain “appeasement” in your own words here:
13
The Occupation of Czechoslovakia, March 1939
After the Sudetenland, Winston Churchill (who was very much against the policy of appeasement) gave this
speech in Parliament during a debate on the Munich Agreement, October 1938. He was not Prime Minister
at this stage.
“I will begin by saying the most unpopular and most unwelcome thing: we have suffered a total and
unmitigated defeat. I think that, in the future, Czechoslovakia cannot remain independent. You will see
that shortly, Czechoslovakia will be taken over by Germany.”
Czechoslovakia lost its defence system (The Sudetenland) at Munich.
The country was falling apart. The new Czech president, Hacha, had no choice but to invite the Germans
into Czechoslovakia.
15 March 1939
Hitler marched into Prague (the capital). The state of Czechoslovakia ceased
to exist.
The invasion was not opposed by Britain or France because the Germans had been invited.
EFFECTS and RESULTS

Hitler had broken the Munich agreement, Chamberlains attitude changed as he realised he could
not trust Hitler. The policy of appeasement ended. From now on, Britain would act against Hitler.

Europe now had to take seriously Hitler’s ideas on Aryan supremacy, Lebensraum and world
domination as set out in Mein Kampf.

Britain and France began to prepare
for war- weapons building was
stepped up.

Poland was expected to be Hitler’s
next target. Britain and France
promised to help Poland if Germany
attacked.

However, Britain and France were not
strong enough and too far away to
protect Poland properly.
Only the Soviet Union could protect
Poland from Germany.

14
This British cartoon from October 1938 shows Hitler as Santa,
popping into his sack, one-by-one the countries of Europe. The
bag says: Deutschland Uber Alles (Germany over all).
Its purpose was to warn the British people that appeasement was
a mistake and that Hitler could not be trusted.
Hitler’s Foreign Policy- Paper One Revision
The Nazi-Soviet Pact, 1939
Britain and the USSR talked about forming an alliance. Britain delayed as Poland did not want and feared
Soviet help would turn into the Soviets taking over Poland.
Hitler’s policy of Lebensraum combined with his hatred of Communism made it near certainty that he
would attack the USSR.
The world was shocked 23 August 1939 when Germany and the USSR signed a non – aggression pact.
However there was also a secret clause that agreed to divide Poland between them.
The pact was signed because:
1. Stalin (USSR) was tired of Britain delaying and suspicious
of Britain and France. He felt it was better to be on
Hitler’s side in the short term than have no allies, or
allies he didn’t have faith in (Britain and France)
2. Both Hitler and Stalin wanted to take Poland (though
you should remember that this clause was secret). The
pact meant they could do this without the worry that
the other would attack them.
Hitler felt confident to attack Poland, Britain and France had
backed down over Czechoslovakia- he thought they would do
the same with Poland.
All three of these cartoons are British and comment on how the pact won’t last.
The invasion of Poland
The German army invaded on 1st September 1939. Chamberlain tried to get Germany to withdraw.
This failed: 3rd September 1939 Britain declared war on Germany , followed by France.
The USSR invaded Poland from the east on 17th September. Poland was defeated quickly and Britain was
unable to help. WW2 had begun.
15
Tasks: 10 mark exam Q
Hint!
Briefly describe each bullet point, but try to focus on trying to explain
HOW they both were an important cause of WW2. Write about 1 at a
time. Finally, compare and conclude with your decision.
20 mins
Which was more important as a cause of the Second World War:
- the remilitarisation of the Rhineland OR
- the Nazi-Soviet Pact, 1939?
You must refer to both causes when explaining your answer. (10 marks)
:
16
Hitler’s Foreign Policy- Paper One Revision
4 mark exam Q (describe 3 clear points)
5 mins
In August 1939 Germany signed the Nazi-Soviet Pact with the USSR. Describe how this pact led to the
outbreak of war in September 1939. (4 marks)
:
17
Further revision tasks- consolidate your learning
Plan this 10 mark answer:
Which of these two events was the greater success for Hitler in his foreign policy:
-the remilitarisation of the Rhineland, 1936 OR -the Anschluss with Austria, 1938?
You must refer to both events when explaining your answer. (10 marks)
It will help you to revisit what Hitler’s aims were and to think about how these two events fulfilled them
the remilitarisation of the Rhineland, 1936 was a success
for Hitler in his foreign policy aims because…
the Anschluss with Austria, 1938 was a success for Hitler
in his foreign policy aims because…
Comparison, conclusion and reasons for decision
Key Term
Munich
Agreement
Nazi Soviet
Pact
Sudetenland
Anschluss
18
Date
Explanation in no more than a sentence
Hitler’s Foreign Policy- Paper One Revision
Complete this table, filling in as many of the boxes as you can from memory. Check your answers against
the information in this booklet.
Event- briefly
Date Which of Hitler’s aims How it was important in causing
describe what
did it achieve?
the outbreak of war?
happened
Saar
Rhineland
Anschluss
Sudetenland
Czechoslovakia
Nazi Soviet Pact
Don’t forget to look at the YouTube video links on the VLE for all
Hitler’s Foreign Policy topics!!!
19
More past paper questions to plan!
Remember to focus on explaining and linking to the Q for 10 marks- don’t just describe
the event!
Which was more important as a cause of the Second World War:
- Hitler’s aims in foreign policy OR
- Neville Chamberlain’s policy of appeasement, 1938–1939?
You must refer to both causes when explaining your answer. (10 marks)
Which of the following was the greater danger to European peace:
- the Anschluss between Germany and Austria, March 1938
- the Sudeten Crisis, September 1938?
You must refer to both bullet points when explaining your answer. (10 marks)
An extract from the Nazi-Soviet Pact, published in August 1939.
“The governments of Germany and the USSR, aiming to strengthen the peace between them, have agreed
that they will not attack each other, either alone or with other countries.”
Study the source. The source suggests that the main aim of the Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939 was to strengthen
the peace between Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia. Do you agree that this was the main aim of the
Pact? Explain your answer by referring to the purpose of the source, as well as using its content and your
knowledge. (6 marks)
From a speech by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain to Parliament March, 1938.
What country in Europe today, if threatened by a larger country, can rely on the League of Nations for
protection?
Do you agree that Chamberlain’s view in this speech is the main reason why he used a policy of
appeasement towards Hitler? Explain your answer by referring to the purpose of the source, as well as
using its content and your knowledge. (6 marks)
Which of Hitler’s policies was more likely to lead to war in Europe:
-his policies towards Austria OR
- his policies towards the USSR?
You must refer to both bullet points when explaining your answer. (10 marks)
20