Identify historians and their explanations on why Hitler started the Second World War according to the article by Adam Tooze, ‘Formal End of the Second World War’,
History Today, Volume 56, Issue 11, 2006) . (8marks) [Mark will be given for identifying and another mark for the explanation.]
1. A.J.P. Taylor: A historian who argued that Hitler's ultimate goal was to establish German dominance over Europe, and that he believed war was the only means to achieve this. According to Taylor, Hitler was willing to take risks and provoke conflicts in order to eventually achieve his objectives.
2. Hugh Trevor-Roper: Another historian who argued that Hitler's motivations for starting the Second World War were driven by a combination of ideological factors and personal ambition. Trevor-Roper believed that Hitler saw himself as a great historical figure and wanted to leave a lasting legacy by reshaping Europe according to his own vision.
3. Ian Kershaw: Kershaw suggested that Hitler's main goal was to acquire Lebensraum (living space) for the German people, particularly in Eastern Europe. He believed that Hitler saw war as a means to acquire new territories and resources to sustain and expand the German population.
4. Richard J. Evans: Evans argued that Hitler's decision to start the war was driven by a combination of factors, including his belief in German racial superiority, his desire to avenge the Treaty of Versailles, and his need to divert attention from domestic economic and social problems.
5. Gerhard L. Weinberg: Weinberg emphasized Hitler's desire for territorial expansion and his aggressive foreign policy as key factors in starting the war. He argued that Hitler saw war as a means to assert German dominance and to ensure the survival and success of the Nazi regime.
6. Timothy Snyder: Snyder's interpretation highlights the role of ideological factors in Hitler's decision to start the war. He argues that Hitler was motivated by a combination of anti-Semitism and the belief in the racial hierarchy, and that war was seen as a means to eradicate perceived "enemies" and establish Nazi racial policies across Europe.
7. Richard J. Overy: Overy's explanation focuses on Hitler's military ambitions and strategic calculations. He argues that Hitler believed that Germany needed to expand its territory and military capabilities in order to secure its position in the world, and that war was perceived as a necessary step to achieve these objectives.
8. Adam Tooze (author of the article): Tooze's interpretation emphasizes Hitler's economic motivations for starting the war. He argues that Hitler saw war as a means to access and exploit the resources and wealth of other nations, particularly in Eastern Europe, in order to sustain the German economy and support the Nazi regime.
In the article by Adam Tooze, ‘Formal End of the Second World War’, the following historians and their explanations on why Hitler started the Second World War are mentioned:
1. A.J.P. Taylor: According to Taylor, Hitler's military aggression was driven by a series of opportunistic decisions, rather than a premeditated plan for world domination. Hitler was constantly exploiting short-term opportunities and adapting his strategy accordingly.
2. Gerhard Weinberg: Weinberg argues that Hitler was aiming for a global ideological conflict, driven by his belief in German racial superiority. Hitler considered war as a means to fulfill his expansionist goals and establish a new world order based on Nazi ideology.
3. Richard Overy: Overy emphasizes the role of Hitler's strategic miscalculations and his belief in military superiority. Hitler overestimated the strength of the German military and underestimated the resolve and capabilities of his opponents. Overy argues that Hitler's aggressive policies ultimately led to the outbreak of war.
4. Hugh Trevor-Roper: Trevor-Roper suggests that Hitler was motivated by a combination of factors, including a desire to regain German territories lost in World War I, as well as his aggressive and expansionist ideology. He viewed war as a means to achieve his territorial and ideological goals.
These historians provide different perspectives and emphasize various factors that contributed to Hitler's decision to start the Second World War.