Impact of foreign policy on the

economy, society and the ‘Hitler myth’

Given that Hitler’s long-term goal was likely Germany’s

international dominance, foreign policy as an

overarching feature of Nazi Germany.

It had profound impacts – positive and negative – on

German economy, society and also the ‘Hitler myth’.

The introduction of a Four Year Plan in 1936 was clear

recognition that the Nazis planned to create an economy

that was ready for war.

Even before this much of Germany’s economic plans had

been influenced by military concerns, but this increased

after the Plan was created.

Increased military spending created numerous jobs in

Germany, including building weapons of war and an

increased Wehrmacht (both in violation of Versailles).

Military spending also helped build the wealth of strong

German companies, winning their support for the Nazis.

The additional land that Germany controlled as part of

their expansionist foreign policy was of great help to Germany’s

economy too.

Areas such as Austria, Saar, and Czechoslovakia increased

Germany’s working population, and brought resources such as coal, steel works, shipbuilding

and farm land.

However some Germans believed that there was too strong a focus on military issues, at the expense of

Germany’s general economy.

Hjalmar Schacht for instance felt that the Nazis’ military

focus took many skilled workers away from private

industry, and limited Germany’s economic growth.

German foreign policy also helped instil a pride that Germans felt about their

country.

The growth of German land and its military gave Germany an

enhanced strength, and ended the feelings of vulnerability and humiliation that many Germans felt Versailles had

caused them.

A stronger economy also improved the public mood.

The massive decline in unemployment – and schemes such as Strength through Joy –

also made Germans happier and more confident. In time

though many Germans did feel that they were not truly

financially better off.

Hitler’s foreign policy goal of Lebensraum had a devastating

effect on so-called Outsider groups, especially the Jews.

The Nazi desire for a Germany for Germans saw the Jews firstly resented, secondly

persecuted, and finally ended in the gas chambers at places

such as Dachau.

Hitler’s reputation was greatly enhanced by Germany’s foreign policy, at least until the start of

World War Two.

Germans generally felt that Germany’s foreign actions were

improving the country’s strength, pride and economy.

Hitler thus benefited from this as the country’s clear leader.

The Nazis’ actions also helped stop potential opposition to

Hitler. Army chiefs had plotted overthrowing him over

Czechoslovakia. The successful outcome ended this possibility.

However, some Germans did fear the prospect of war but these feelings only became hugely evident after 1939.

Historians’ views

• MacGregor Knox: Foreign policy was a key feature of Hitler’s plans to control Germany, based on Mussolini’s idea that leadership at home was indispensable to expansion abroad.

• Ian Kershaw: Nazi foreign policy successes were exploited by the use of propaganda to build support for the regime, although Germans did not hugely support the prospect of war.  

• A.J.P. Taylor: Germany’s economic recovery was caused by the return of private consumption and spending – rearmament had little to do with it, and was largely a myth until 1936.