Hitlers aims (AQA GCSE History): Revision Notes
Hitler's aims
Introduction
Adolf Hitler became the leader of Germany in 1933, marking a dramatic shift from the peaceful foreign policy approach that had been followed by Gustav Stresemann during most of the 1920s. Hitler's aggressive aims would fundamentally reshape European politics and ultimately lead to the outbreak of the Second World War.
Hitler's background and rise to power
Understanding Hitler's personal history helps explain his later political aims and motivations.
Early life and experiences Born in 1889 into a working-class Austrian family, Hitler moved to Munich, Germany, in 1913. His experiences during the First World War, where he served in the German army from 1914, profoundly shaped his worldview. Like many Germans, Hitler felt bitter disappointment at Germany's defeat in 1918.
Political beliefs and ideology Hitler developed an extreme nationalist ideology built around several core beliefs. He was convinced that Austrians should be part of a unified German-speaking nation. Most dangerously, his worldview was deeply racist - he believed that Aryan people (northern Europeans) were superior to other races, particularly Jews and Slavs, whom he referred to as "subhuman." He also held a passionate hatred of communism, which he saw as a threat to Germany's future.
Hitler's racist ideology was not merely political rhetoric - it formed the core foundation of his worldview and would later justify horrific persecution and genocide. This made his nationalism far more dangerous than traditional territorial disputes.
Rise to power timeline
- 1921: Hitler became leader of the small, radical Nazi Party
- 1923: Attempted to overthrow the government in the Munich Putsch (failed coup attempt)
- 1923-1924: Imprisoned and wrote Mein Kampf, outlining his political ideas
- 1933: Appointed as Chancellor (Prime Minister) of Germany, giving him the power to implement his aims
Mein Kampf (My Struggle) served as Hitler's political manifesto, clearly outlining his racist beliefs and territorial ambitions. The book provided a blueprint for his later actions as German leader, making his intentions known years before he gained power.
Hitler's five main aims
1. Overturn the Treaty of Versailles
Hitler shared the widespread German belief that the Treaty of Versailles had brought humiliation and shame to Germany. He argued that the politicians who signed the peace settlement in 1919 had committed an act of treachery against the German people. This aim resonated strongly with many Germans who felt the treaty was unfairly harsh.
Why this caused international tension: The Treaty of Versailles had established the foundation for peace in Europe after the First World War. Any attempt to overturn it would fundamentally challenge the post-war settlement and threaten the stability that other nations were trying to maintain.
2. Rebuild Germany's armed forces
Hitler wanted to restore Germany's military strength by building up the army, reintroducing military conscription, and creating a powerful air force (the Luftwaffe). He also promised economic recovery through his "Bread and Work" (Brot und Arbeit) programme.
Why this caused international tension: The Versailles treaty had specifically limited Germany's armed forces to prevent future aggression. Rebuilding the military represented a direct violation of international law and sent alarming signals to neighbouring countries, particularly France, about Germany's intentions.
3. Expand Germany's borders - Lebensraum
Hitler planned to expand German territory eastward to acquire what he called Lebensraum (living space). This expansion was intended to compensate for the territory Germany had lost under the Treaty of Versailles and provide more land for the German population.
The concept of Lebensraum was fundamentally aggressive - it could only be achieved by conquering and displacing the existing populations of Eastern Europe. This made it inherently incompatible with peaceful coexistence.
Why this caused international tension: Expanding eastward would inevitably mean invading countries in Eastern Europe. Other nations understood that this aim could only be achieved through warfare, making it fundamentally incompatible with maintaining peace in Europe.
4. Unite all German peoples - Volksdeutsche
Hitler sought to bring all German-speaking peoples into a single "Greater Germany," regardless of which country they currently lived in. This concept, known as Volksdeutsche, specifically included uniting with Austria (called Anschluss), which had been explicitly forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles.
Why this caused international tension: Many countries contained German-speaking minorities, and Hitler's aim suggested he would interfere in their internal affairs. The demand to unite with Austria directly violated the peace settlement, while claims on German-speaking areas elsewhere threatened the sovereignty of multiple nations.
5. Root out communism
Hitler viewed communism as an existential threat to Germany and was determined to eliminate it entirely. His anti-communist stance was partly motivated by his racist ideology, as he associated communism with Jewish people.
Why this caused international tension: The Soviet Union had a powerful communist government and was developing relationships with Britain and France as potential allies against fascist expansion. Hitler's openly anti-communist position risked creating a powerful enemy and complicated diplomatic relationships across Europe.
Timeline of key events
- 1889: Hitler born in Austria
- 1913: Moved to Munich, Germany
- 1914-1918: Served in German army during First World War
- 1919: Treaty of Versailles signed
- 1921: Hitler became leader of Nazi Party
- 1923: Munich Putsch attempted coup fails; Hitler imprisoned
- 1924: Hitler wrote Mein Kampf while in prison
- 1933: Hitler appointed Chancellor of Germany
- 1933-1939: Hitler began implementing his aims, leading to increasing international tension
Impact and significance
Hitler's aims represented a complete rejection of the post-war international order established after 1918. Each of his five goals directly challenged the Treaty of Versailles and threatened the peace and stability that European nations had been working to maintain throughout the 1920s. The aggressive and expansionist nature of these aims made conflict increasingly likely as Hitler gained the power to pursue them.
The combination of territorial expansion, military rearmament, and racial ideology created a particularly dangerous situation. Unlike previous diplomatic disputes that might be resolved through negotiation, Hitler's aims could only be achieved through force and at the expense of other nations' sovereignty and security.
What made Hitler's aims uniquely dangerous was their combination of territorial aggression with racial ideology. This wasn't simply about border disputes - it represented a fundamental challenge to the principles of international law and human rights that formed the basis of European civilisation.
Key Points to Remember:
- Hitler became German Chancellor in 1933 and immediately began pursuing aggressive aims that contradicted the peaceful policies of the 1920s
- The five main aims were: overturn Versailles, rebuild the military, expand eastward (Lebensraum), unite all Germans (Volksdeutsche), and eliminate communism
- Each aim directly challenged the Treaty of Versailles and the post-war international order, making them inherently destabilising
- Hitler's racist ideology made his nationalism particularly dangerous, as he viewed other peoples as inferior and disposable
- These aims could only be achieved through warfare, making conflict increasingly inevitable as Hitler gained the power to implement his agenda