1. Rise of Adolf Hitler and Nazism: The rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in Germany played a crucial role in shaping the country's aggressive foreign policy. Hitler's ideology was centered around the concept of Lebensraum ("living space") for the German people, which involved territorial expansion to secure resources and ensure the survival and dominance of the Aryan race.
2. Treaty of Versailles: Germany felt aggrieved by the Treaty of Versailles, which was signed after World War I and imposed harsh terms on Germany, including significant territorial losses, disarmament, and economic restrictions. This fueled a desire for revenge and a sense of injustice among many Germans.
3. Economic Recovery: After the economic turmoil of the Great Depression, Germany's economy began to recover under Hitler's leadership. This recovery, fueled by rearmament and aggressive expansion, was popular among the German population, who were promised prosperity and a restoration of national pride.
4. Expansionist Ideology: Nazi ideology glorified war and conquest as necessary for the survival and greatness of the German nation. Hitler and his followers believed in the superiority of the German race and their right to dominate other peoples and territories. This ideology drove their expansionist ambitions and the pursuit of Lebensraum.
5. Rearmament and Military Buildup: Germany secretly began rearming its military in violation of the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler prioritized the expansion and modernization of the German armed forces, preparing for future territorial conquests. This included building up the Wehrmacht (army), Luftwaffe (air force), and Kriegsmarine (navy).
6. Appeasement Policy: The failure of the Western powers, particularly Britain and France, to take strong action against Germany's initial acts of aggression encouraged Hitler to push further. The policy of appeasement, which aimed to avoid war through concessions to Germany, ultimately emboldened Hitler and allowed Germany to gain more territory and power.
7. Territorial Claims and Unification: Germany had territorial claims on various regions, such as the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia, which had a large German population. Hitler aimed to unify all German-speaking people into a single Greater Germany, which contributed to his expansionist goals.
8. Strategic Alliances: Germany signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact with the Soviet Union in 1939, which provided temporary non-aggression between the two countries and allowed Germany to focus its attention on Western Europe. This strategic alliance contributed to the outbreak of war as Germany invaded Poland shortly after signing the pact.
9. Geopolitical Power: Hitler and the Nazis sought to establish Germany as a dominant power in Europe and beyond. They aimed to reshape the geopolitical order in their favor, challenging the existing balance of power and the influence of other nations.
In conclusion, the German expansion and declaration of war in World War II were driven by a combination of factors, including Hitler's aggressive ideology, the desire to rectify perceived injustices from the Treaty of Versailles, economic recovery, expansionist ambitions, military buildup, appeasement, territorial claims, strategic alliances, and the pursuit of geopolitical power. These factors culminated in Germany's aggressive actions and ultimately led to the outbreak of World War II.