Hitler’s Expansionist Policy (Conscription and Rearmament)

Conscription and Rearmament

• Hitler planned a massive rearmament programme to restore Germany’s pride and strength and build up Germany’s defences after the humiliation of the Treaty of Versailles.
• Hitler’s secret rearmament and conscription programme took place from 1933 to 1934, yet he only announced the programme in March 1935.
• By March 1935, Germany possessed a 2,500- plane Luftwaffe and a 300,000 strong army.
• Compulsory conscription was instituted for a planned army of 550,000.
• However, Hitler kept emphasising his commitment to peace to allay the fears of the Allies.
• At this point, the Allies still had a stronger military than Germany and were able to keep Germany in check.
• However, the Allies only made verbal protests, instead of imposing sanctions, due to the pacifist mood in the post-war period as well as the weakness of the League.
• Hitler was thus free to transform Germany into a formidable military power.
• Britain, then practising appeasement, signed the Anglo-German Naval Agreement in June 1935 with Germany, allowing Germany a limited build-up of its navy.
• From 1936 onwards, the Germans spent great amounts on military production.
• A build-up of military capabilities and machinery enabled Hitler in his expansionist plans.

❖ Remilitarisation of Rhineland (1936)

• Hitler’s confidence & popularity among German people also increased in this incident.
• Hitler had often complained of the unjust demilitarisation which had been accepted by the Weimar government.
• 7 March 1936: Hitler ordered German troops to cross Hohenzollern Bridge & remilitarise Rhineland, using the Franco-Soviet Alliance as an excuse, saying that Germany was now under threat and should be allowed to defend its frontiers.
• Franco-Soviet Alliance: Treaty between France & USSR to check on Germany’s aggression, & both countries to provide aid to each other if Germany invades either side.
• Hitler was certain of Britain’s sympathy (pacifist mood) towards Germany but unsure about France’s response which explained Hitler not sending a strong force.
• Troops sent to Rhineland lacked essential equipment and they had no air support; they had been told to withdraw if attacked.

France, however, did not respond with force as they were about to hold elections.

• French politicians did not want to be seen as starting a war.
• British were unlikely to support France against Hitler due to prevailing pacifist mood.

• League of Nations condemned Hitler’s actions but did nothing else.
• League was distracted by Abyssinian Crisis.
• France & Britain could have contained Hitler if they had responded against his actions.
• As a result, his standing among the German people & military increased tremendously, and he became even bolder in his demands.