History - War at a Glance

Room for Growth One of Adolf Hitler’s primary aims is to gain Lebensraumroom for growthfor Germany. This room initially comes from territory taken from Germany as part of the Treaty of Versailles. In March 1936, German troops occupy the Rhineland. When the British and French fail to take any action, Hitler is vindicatedthe German high command opposes the move. The occupation's success proves to Hitler that he is superior to his military advisors. It also whets the Nazi leader's appetite for more Lebensraum. In late 1937, Hitler formalizes his objectives: He intends to look for Lebensraum in Eastern Europe. France has agreed to support Czechoslovakia if Germany attacks and, because Great Britain does not want to fight (nor the French to fight and lose), both countries now pressure the Czechs to offer concessions to Germany. Germany annexes Austria in March 1938. Hitler acts when the Austrian chancellor attempts to strengthen his position against Austria's Nazis; the chancellor resigns, and the Nazis take to the streets and seize control of government offices. On March 12, German forces cross the border and one day later Hitler announces that Austria is now a province of Germany. By September 1938, the friction between Germany and Czechoslovakia threatens to flare into war. Hitler supports the German-speaking population of Sudetenland, a population that wishes to reunite with Germany. By midmonth the Czechs seem to be in control; the leader of the Sudeten German Party is exiled. However, when British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain begins a series of meetings with Hitler aimed at averting a crisis, the Czechs are ultimately doomed. Chamberlain receives assurances from Hitler that Czechoslovakia is safe; the Nazi leader lies to Chamberlain and continues pressuring the Czechs. By March 1939, Czechoslovakia is essentially a German province. During the same month, Lithuania cedes territory to Germany; Rumania signs an economic pact that gives Germany access to oil on favorable terms. In three years Hitler has obtained Lebensraum with a minimum of military effort. In these three years the Nazi leader has berated, blustered, and bluffed many European leaders into letting Germany have its way. Hitler sees no reason to stop in his pursuit of room for growth.