GERMAN EXPANSIONISM: CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES AND LEADERS - HISTORY - 2025

The German expansionism was a policy of the German government, then applied to the appointment of Adolf Hitler as Chancellor of Germany in 1935, until 1939. Its aim was the creation of a German Empire in Europe. The process began in 1935, when the residents of Saarland decided to join Germany after a popular referendum.

This region is on the south-western border of Germany with France and Luxembourg. By that date Saar was under the administrative control of the League of Nations. The Treaty of Versailles, signed by the Germans after their defeat in the First World War, contemplated this territorial political arrangement.

In March 1936 the German army occupied the area of ​​the Rhineland (western Germany). This area had been demilitarized after the First World War. After various occupations on the continent and threats of war from Germany, Europe realized the aggressive and confrontational nature of Hitler's foreign policy.

So they decided not to ignore German expansionism any longer. Consequently, military treaties began to be signed between nations that were still outside of German control.

Causes

Theory of

The term Lebensraum (living space) was coined by the German geographer Friedrich Ratzel (1844-1904). At the end of the 19th century, Ratzel developed this theory about the evolution of all species (including humans).

According to this, the development of the species was determined mainly by their adaptation to geographic circumstances. To stay healthy, they had to continually expand the amount of space occupied.

By extension, this need also applied to humans, who were to be grouped in the form of peoples (v ölker).

To satisfy the need, one völk had to effectively conquer the other. The establishment of agricultural farms in the conquered lands was understood as effective conquest.

The ideas of the Panalemana League

At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, German intellectuals feared the supposed negative effects of the industrialization and urbanization processes successfully implemented in German lands.

During the years immediately preceding World War I, new radical groups argued that the solution was to conquer Eastern Europe and colonize it with German peasants.

The main proponent of this notion was the Liga Panalemana, an influential nationalist pressure group, and its associated propagandists. Among these propagandists the most notable was the retired publicist and general Friedrich von Bernhardi.

In his notorious book Germany and the Next War (1912), Bernhardi used many of Ratzel's ideas to suggest a war to gain space in Europe. This space would be for the settlement of German peasants.

Adolf Hitler's rise to power

In 1933 Paul von Hindenburg appointed Adolf Hitler German Chancellor. From the very beginning of his duties, Hitler laid the foundations for German expansionism, taking up the ideas of Ratzel and the Pan-German League.

These ideas were not new to him. Actually, between the years 1921 and 1925, Hitler first met Ratzel's ideas. He immediately developed the belief that Germany required Lebensraum.

Additionally, the Führer - as he was also known - had the conviction that this living space could only be obtained in Eastern Europe.

Consequences

Establishment of the Nazi State in Germany

Hitler wanted to build an Aryan empire, and claimed that the Germans did not have enough space and natural resources to support their growing population. Therefore, he had to get that space outside of Germany.

In order to carry out his project, he had to have political control in Germany. Then he consolidated his party, the National Socialist German Workers Party.

After 1933 the Führer began to lay the foundations of the Nazi state, and with it those of German expansionism. Guided by racist and authoritarian principles, the Nazis eliminated individual freedoms.

They also proclaimed the creation of a Volk community (Volksgemeinschaft), a society that, in theory, should transcend class and religious differences.

In practice, racial and political persecution was unleashed. Jews, members of the Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party were subjected to intimidation, persecution and discriminatory legislation. In this way Nazi power began in Germany.

Second World War

Almost immediately upon his appointment as chancellor, Hitler began to implement his project of German expansionism.

In 1934 he increased the size of the army, began building warships, and created a German air force. Compulsory military service was also introduced.

Although Britain and France were aware of Hitler's actions, they were more concerned about the rise of Russian communism. By his political calculation, a stronger Germany could help prevent the spread of communism.

However, these powers were forced to intervene when the German army invaded Poland in 1939. This unleashed World War II, by forcing the intervention of other nations by the treaties they had signed.

Jewish Holocaust

Perhaps one of the most dire consequences of German expansionism was the Holocaust. This was an operation organized by the Nazis against ethnic minorities.

This operation resulted in the persecution and execution of around six million Jews at the hands of the Nazis.

The German authorities also attacked other groups because of their perception of racial inferiority. Among these were Roma (Gypsies), people with disabilities and some of the Slavic peoples (Poles, Russians and others).

Main political and military leaders

Adolf Hitler (1889-1945)

He was the promoter of German expansionism and the dictatorial leader of the National Socialist German Workers' Party, or Nazi Party, in command of German forces during World War II.

Friedrich Ratzel (1844-1904)

Considered the founder of the concept of Lebensraum, he authored several late 20th century publications dealing with political geography.

On the other hand, he defended social Darwinism and compared the political state to a biological organism that fights for its survival.

Hermann Göring (1893–1946)

He was a Nazi military leader responsible for the organization of the Nazi police state. He also established concentration camps where millions of human beings died.

Joseph Goebbels (1897-1945)

He was propaganda minister of the German Third Reich, and from his position he spread the Nazi message. He was responsible for presenting a favorable image of the Nazi regime to the German people.

References

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3. Holocaust Encyclopedia. (s / f). Foundations of the Nazi State. Taken from ushmm.org.
4. History on the net. (s / f). World War Two - Causes. Taken from historyonthenet.com.
5. Hickman, K. (2017, July 03). World War II: Causes of Conflict. Taken from thoughtco.com.
6. Holocaust Encyclopedia. (s / f). Introduction to the Holocaust. Taken from ushmm.org.
7. Even, M. (s / f). World War II. Taken from icss.uni.edu.
8. Eberhardt, P. (2015). Friedrich Ratzel's views on human geography and geopolitics. Taken from researchgate.net.
9. Biography. (2015, June 11). Hermann Göring Biography. Taken from biography.com.