Our Mission
Our mission is to give students a comprehensive understanding of Nazi Foreign policy prior to World War Two, in a clear, and concise fashion. In doing so we have attempted to pick a wide range of events in foreign policy, to avoid repetition in analysis, while also making sure that all of the major events are covered. In order to remain concise we attempt to focus on the goals of the Nazi side in each event, and to cover the most realistic goals of the Nazi side.
Common themes in Nazi Foreign policy
Fortunately for students, the goals of Nazi Foreign Policy are generally very clear cut, and are generally the result of a handful of key beliefs. It is important to have at least a brief understanding of these beliefs before exploring the actual events in Nazi Foreign Policy.
Lebensraum
Lebensraum is German for living space. The Nazi Party believed that the German people needed more Lebensraum, and that this Lebensraum could be found in Eastern Europe. It was based in the belief that the Germanic people, being the superior race, deserved to occupy this land, and that the non-German population would either work as slave laborers, or would be deported, allowing there to be a surplus of natural resources of the Germanic people. Nazi foreign policy often aims towards attaining lebensraum for the Germanic people.
Our mission is to give students a comprehensive understanding of Nazi Foreign policy prior to World War Two, in a clear, and concise fashion. In doing so we have attempted to pick a wide range of events in foreign policy, to avoid repetition in analysis, while also making sure that all of the major events are covered. In order to remain concise we attempt to focus on the goals of the Nazi side in each event, and to cover the most realistic goals of the Nazi side.
Common themes in Nazi Foreign policy
Fortunately for students, the goals of Nazi Foreign Policy are generally very clear cut, and are generally the result of a handful of key beliefs. It is important to have at least a brief understanding of these beliefs before exploring the actual events in Nazi Foreign Policy.
Lebensraum
Lebensraum is German for living space. The Nazi Party believed that the German people needed more Lebensraum, and that this Lebensraum could be found in Eastern Europe. It was based in the belief that the Germanic people, being the superior race, deserved to occupy this land, and that the non-German population would either work as slave laborers, or would be deported, allowing there to be a surplus of natural resources of the Germanic people. Nazi foreign policy often aims towards attaining lebensraum for the Germanic people.
War in Europe was imminent
The Nazis believed that a war with Europe was necessary and inevitable; war was necessary in order for Nazi Germany to claim its rightful position as the dominant country in Europe. France, England, and Russia would keep on hindering Nazi Germany’s attempts at Lebensraum until a war in Europe came. As a result, much of Nazi Foreign policy was aimed at preparing them for the war in Europe which was to come.
The Nazis believed that a war with Europe was necessary and inevitable; war was necessary in order for Nazi Germany to claim its rightful position as the dominant country in Europe. France, England, and Russia would keep on hindering Nazi Germany’s attempts at Lebensraum until a war in Europe came. As a result, much of Nazi Foreign policy was aimed at preparing them for the war in Europe which was to come.
Realpolitik
Realpolitik is in no way specific to the Nazis, but is something which must be considered when analyzing any sort of foreign policy; Realpolitik is diplomacy based in the belief that it is okay to create and switch alliances in order to gain a strategic advantage. In other words Realpolitik is a realistic/pragmatic approach to diplomacy.
Written by Berk Gedikoglu
Edited by Tony Yoon