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Hitler's Nazi Party came to power in 1933.

World War One Aftermath: Hitler's Foreign Policy, 1933-1935

Track how Hitler’s early foreign policy broke the Treaty of Versailles, from secret rearmament to bold diplomatic moves that challenged peace in Europe.

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Fascinating Fact:

Hitler began rearming Germany in secret soon after coming to power. He increased spending on the armed forces and expanded the army beyond the treaty limits.

In GCSE History, Hitler’s foreign policy from 1933 to 1935 is studied as a turning point in European relations. Students examine how rearmament, diplomatic agreements and bold propaganda tested the limits of the Treaty of Versailles.

Key Terms

Rearmament: The process of rebuilding and expanding a country’s armed forces, often in secret at first, after previous restrictions on its military strength.
Conscription: A system where the state orders citizens to join the armed forces for a fixed period, instead of relying only on volunteers.
Treaty of Versailles: The 1919 peace settlement that limited Germany’s army, navy and air force, and blamed Germany for starting the First World War.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What were Hitler’s main foreign policy aims between 1933 and 1935?

Between 1933 and 1935 Hitler aimed to overturn key parts of the Treaty of Versailles, rebuild German military strength, and restore German pride and influence in Europe without immediately starting a major war.

How did Hitler rearm Germany in the early 1930s?

Hitler first rearmed secretly by funding new weapons and training soldiers beyond official limits. He then announced conscription and an air force in 1935, openly rejecting the military restrictions set at Versailles.

Why did Britain and France not stop Hitler’s early rearmament?

Many British and French politicians were distracted by economic problems, feared another war and felt the Treaty of Versailles had been too harsh. They often chose negotiation and appeasement rather than firm action.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

In 1933 Hitler announced German withdrawal from an international organisation set up in 1919 to preserve international peace. What was this body called?

The United Nations

The International Community

The League of Nations

The European Union

Hitler was showing that Germany would now act independently in foreign affairs, and not be beholden to any international body

2 .

Hitler also left another international organisation tasked with securing mutual disarmament, also in 1933. What was its name?

The Disarmament Conference

The Disarmament Commission

The Disarmament Committee

The Disarmament Council

Hitler was not interested in multilateral disarmament - rather he intended to break the disarmament clauses of the Treaty of Versailles and to rearm massively

3 .

In July 1934 Hitler used Austrian Nazis to try to overthrow the elected government there. What was the name of the Austrian Nazi leader who led this failed coup?

Artur von Seyss-Inquart

Reinhard Heydrich

Albert Speer

Ernst Roehm

The Nazi Party was well established in Austria, and it enjoyed considerable support there. Many Austrians resented the clause in the 1919 treaties that forbade the two nations to unite

4 .

Which Austrian Chancellor was murdered in the attempted coup of 1934?

Dollfuss

Von Habsburg

Schmeichel

Schusschnigg

Austria had an elected government that resisted the attempted Nazi seizure of power. Although this government was conservative and Catholic, it was far from being fascist

5 .

In 1934 Hitler signed a non-aggression pact with a nearby Slav state. Which one?

Poland

Czechoslovakia

Hungary

Russia

Hitler liked non-aggression pacts: they ensured that he would not be attacked by his new ally, while he threatened aggression elsewhere. Thus states could be lulled into a false sense of security - and Hitler could always revoke the pact when he wanted to

6 .

In 1935, at the annual September rally of the Nazi Party, Hitler made his usual keynote speech, outlining his plans for domestic and foreign policy for the forthcoming year. Where did these rallies traditionally take place?

Munich

Berlin

Nuremberg

Weimar

A huge parade ground in this city gave the Nazis scope to display their power. The leader would announce in his speech the projects for the following year - especially in foreign policy

7 .

In 1935 at the annual rally Hitler announced his rejection of one of the key planks of the Versailles Treaty. Which was this?

German disarmament

The payment of reparations

The loss of Germany's colonies

Giving up Alsace-Lorraine to France

Hitler had pledged to smash the Treaty of Versailles clause by clause. Then he was determined to unite all German-speakers in the German state. After that he had even more ambitious goals

8 .

Which former German province returned to Germany following a referendum held in 1935? The vote was overwhelmingly in favour of rejoining the Reich.

The Saarland

The Ruhr

Nordrhein-Westfalen

Rheinland-Pfalz

The Treaty of Versailles placed this area under the control of the League of Nations for a period of 15 years, after which a plebiscite would ensue. The population was almost entirely German, and the region had substantial coal and iron ore deposits. Thus, the "Yes" vote came as no great surprise

9 .

Which other dictatorship did Hitler assist when it invaded an independent African country in 1935?

Franco's Spain

Salazar's Portugal

Mussolini's Italy

Romania's Antonescu

Only two African states remained that had not been colonised by a European power. Most European countries had been affected to a greater or lesser extent by the Great Depression, and invasion of a "Third World" power could arouse patriotic passions, and thus encourage people to forget about their dire economic situation

10 .

Approximately what size had the German army reached by the end of 1935, according to Hitler's own admission?

500.000

150,000

250,000

450,000

Under the disarmament clauses of the Treaty of Versailles the German army was reduced to 100,000 men, recruited for a period of 12 years. This was intended to prevent Germany from ever being able to commit aggression again

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Life in Nazi Germany, 1933-45

Author: Edward Towne