Remilitarization of Germany
The Significance of Military Expansion
The expansion of the German military is commonly undervalued when it comes to Nazi foreign policy. However, the German military was arguably the most important player in influencing Hitler's foreign policies and the responses from oppositions. The British and the French followed appeasement policies because of the formidable presence of the German army (known as the Wehrmacht). Hitler therefore could pressure his opposition into defeat with the threat of violence and war, a tactic that is consistently present in Hitler's Lebensraum policy (German Prewar Expansion). Below are significant events that led to the German Wehrmacht expanding from a pitiful army of 100,000 to a formidable army of 4.7 million:
The expansion of the German military is commonly undervalued when it comes to Nazi foreign policy. However, the German military was arguably the most important player in influencing Hitler's foreign policies and the responses from oppositions. The British and the French followed appeasement policies because of the formidable presence of the German army (known as the Wehrmacht). Hitler therefore could pressure his opposition into defeat with the threat of violence and war, a tactic that is consistently present in Hitler's Lebensraum policy (German Prewar Expansion). Below are significant events that led to the German Wehrmacht expanding from a pitiful army of 100,000 to a formidable army of 4.7 million:
Wehrmacht Expansion
In order to achieve Lebensraum, Hitler needed strong military to support his actions should his foreign territorial polices lead to armed conflicts with other nations, most notably Britain, France and the Soviet Union. However, the Treaty of Versailles had limited Germany’s army to a mere 100,000 men, simply too small to conduct any type of military action to ‘reclaim what was rightfully German’. In between Hitler’s rise to chancellery in 1933 and until 1935, Nazi Germany more than trebled the size of the Wehrmacht and rebuilt its air force, the Luftwaffe, in secret. It was not until 1935 that Hitler publicly revealed Germany’s rebuilding of the military and for a strategic reason. When Hitler announced the rebuilding of the German military, Hitler already had 350,000 men and 2,500 aircrafts under his command (Giblins). By waiting until Germany had garnered enough strength before revealing this violation of the Treaty of the Versailles, Hitler knew that the French or the British would not step in and attempt to resolve the issue with force as the size of the German military had grown considerably larger, meaning that any military action the British or the French imposed on Germany may escalate to another destructive war in Europe – something the two nations would do anything to prevent.
In order to achieve Lebensraum, Hitler needed strong military to support his actions should his foreign territorial polices lead to armed conflicts with other nations, most notably Britain, France and the Soviet Union. However, the Treaty of Versailles had limited Germany’s army to a mere 100,000 men, simply too small to conduct any type of military action to ‘reclaim what was rightfully German’. In between Hitler’s rise to chancellery in 1933 and until 1935, Nazi Germany more than trebled the size of the Wehrmacht and rebuilt its air force, the Luftwaffe, in secret. It was not until 1935 that Hitler publicly revealed Germany’s rebuilding of the military and for a strategic reason. When Hitler announced the rebuilding of the German military, Hitler already had 350,000 men and 2,500 aircrafts under his command (Giblins). By waiting until Germany had garnered enough strength before revealing this violation of the Treaty of the Versailles, Hitler knew that the French or the British would not step in and attempt to resolve the issue with force as the size of the German military had grown considerably larger, meaning that any military action the British or the French imposed on Germany may escalate to another destructive war in Europe – something the two nations would do anything to prevent.
The critical phase of military expansion had succeeded, and the only response from France, Britain and the League of Nations was a strong condemnation of Germany’s open violation of the Treaty of Versailles. However, Hitler’s understanding of the correct timing to reveal such an act was perhaps the reason the growth of the military was such a success.
Germany also tactically took advantage of a growing sentiment in Great Britain – that the current sanctions put on Germany were non-realistic and harsh. Nazi Germany manages to pull off the Anglo-German naval pact in 1936 as a result, allowing Germany to possess a navy the size equal to a third of that of Britain, and a submarine fleet as large as that in British possession. France and the Soviet Union took this as a provocation and condemned it, but did nothing against the pact. With a formal agreement with Britain, Germany now had the key to increasing its naval fleet as well as its already growing army and air-force. (Giblins)
Hitler's careful, strategic and well-planned remilitarization of Nazi Germany was perhaps a fundamental move by Nazi Germany in refusing acknowledging the Versailles Treaty - thus openly provoking the British, French and the Soviet Union - while attempting to use the growing European sentiment of the harshness of the Treaty of Versailles to minimize possible hostile response to Germany's actions.
Germany also tactically took advantage of a growing sentiment in Great Britain – that the current sanctions put on Germany were non-realistic and harsh. Nazi Germany manages to pull off the Anglo-German naval pact in 1936 as a result, allowing Germany to possess a navy the size equal to a third of that of Britain, and a submarine fleet as large as that in British possession. France and the Soviet Union took this as a provocation and condemned it, but did nothing against the pact. With a formal agreement with Britain, Germany now had the key to increasing its naval fleet as well as its already growing army and air-force. (Giblins)
Hitler's careful, strategic and well-planned remilitarization of Nazi Germany was perhaps a fundamental move by Nazi Germany in refusing acknowledging the Versailles Treaty - thus openly provoking the British, French and the Soviet Union - while attempting to use the growing European sentiment of the harshness of the Treaty of Versailles to minimize possible hostile response to Germany's actions.
Intervention in the Spanish Civil War
"Guernica, city with 5,000 residents, has been literally razed to the ground. Bomb craters can be seen in the streets. Simply wonderful." - General Wolfram von Richthofen of the Condor Legion after the bombing of the Spanish city of Guernica.
In July 1936, Spanish General Francisco Franco extended a hand of friendship to Hitler, asking in return assistance in the revolutionary civil war he was waging against the democratic government of Spain. Franco claimed that the Spanish government was backed by communists, attempting to connect this to the Fuhrer’s Fascist ideology.
Hitler was uncomfortable with the idea of joining a military conflict he was not interested in. However, Goering (of the Luftwaffe) managed to convince Hitler to support Franco, not only to spread Fascism and stand against communism, but also to test out the newly developed line of German bombers for the Luftwaffe and give the newly enlarged Wehrmacht the chance to gain some training and combat experience (Giblins). Britain and France had already declared neutrality in the issue, which also contributed to Hitler making this decision. Eventually Germany supplied the rebel forces with over a hundred fighter planes and bombers, 16,000 troops and approximately 43 Million Euros. The 'Condor Legion' was a special detachment sent to support the Spanish civil war, revealing considerable German commitment in assisting Franco's rebels (Simkins). Though a seemingly major contribution, it was eclipsed by that of the Italians who also aided Franco's effort in the revolution.
German bombers saw a considerable amount of action, and the bombings of the German bombers on Government-controlled cities, notably Madrid and Barcelona, were devastating and deadly. While the notoriety of these bombings in Spain grew up, Hitler and Goring were observing excitedly at their bombers' performances. The Spanish Civil War increased Hitler's trust in Goering and his Luftwaffe after Hitler witnessed the effects of bombings on targets - the Luftwaffe grew in size as a result of Hitler's growing awareness of the importance of aerial combat and dominance (Diehl).
The Wehrmacht Size statistics (1939 - Size: 4.7 Million)
Heer (Land-based Army): 3.7 Million+
Luftwaffe (Air-force): 500,000+
Kriegsmarine (Navy): 50,000+
(Source: Statistics)
Written by Tony Yoon,
Edited by Berk Gedikoglu
"Guernica, city with 5,000 residents, has been literally razed to the ground. Bomb craters can be seen in the streets. Simply wonderful." - General Wolfram von Richthofen of the Condor Legion after the bombing of the Spanish city of Guernica.
In July 1936, Spanish General Francisco Franco extended a hand of friendship to Hitler, asking in return assistance in the revolutionary civil war he was waging against the democratic government of Spain. Franco claimed that the Spanish government was backed by communists, attempting to connect this to the Fuhrer’s Fascist ideology.
Hitler was uncomfortable with the idea of joining a military conflict he was not interested in. However, Goering (of the Luftwaffe) managed to convince Hitler to support Franco, not only to spread Fascism and stand against communism, but also to test out the newly developed line of German bombers for the Luftwaffe and give the newly enlarged Wehrmacht the chance to gain some training and combat experience (Giblins). Britain and France had already declared neutrality in the issue, which also contributed to Hitler making this decision. Eventually Germany supplied the rebel forces with over a hundred fighter planes and bombers, 16,000 troops and approximately 43 Million Euros. The 'Condor Legion' was a special detachment sent to support the Spanish civil war, revealing considerable German commitment in assisting Franco's rebels (Simkins). Though a seemingly major contribution, it was eclipsed by that of the Italians who also aided Franco's effort in the revolution.
German bombers saw a considerable amount of action, and the bombings of the German bombers on Government-controlled cities, notably Madrid and Barcelona, were devastating and deadly. While the notoriety of these bombings in Spain grew up, Hitler and Goring were observing excitedly at their bombers' performances. The Spanish Civil War increased Hitler's trust in Goering and his Luftwaffe after Hitler witnessed the effects of bombings on targets - the Luftwaffe grew in size as a result of Hitler's growing awareness of the importance of aerial combat and dominance (Diehl).
The Wehrmacht Size statistics (1939 - Size: 4.7 Million)
Heer (Land-based Army): 3.7 Million+
Luftwaffe (Air-force): 500,000+
Kriegsmarine (Navy): 50,000+
(Source: Statistics)
Written by Tony Yoon,
Edited by Berk Gedikoglu