Evaluate how Hitler's policy of anschluss drove his actions prior to World War II
Hitler's policy of anschluss, which sought to unite German-speaking territories under one German nation, was a key driving force behind his actions prior to World War II. This policy led Hitler to target neighboring countries such as Austria and Czechoslovakia in an effort to annex them and expand Germany's territory.
Hitler's desire for anschluss was rooted in his belief in the concept of Lebensraum, or living space, for the German people. He viewed the German-speaking populations of Austria and Czechoslovakia as being rightfully part of Germany and sought to bring them under his control in order to achieve his vision of a Greater Germany.
Hitler's aggressive pursuit of anschluss led him to violate the Treaty of Versailles, which had imposed restrictions on Germany's territorial expansion following World War I. His actions in annexing Austria in 1938 and pushing for the annexation of the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia in the same year were clear violations of international agreements and led to increasing tensions in Europe.
Ultimately, Hitler's policy of anschluss played a significant role in driving his actions prior to World War II by fueling his expansionist ambitions and contributing to the growing militarization and aggression of Nazi Germany. The pursuit of anschluss also served to solidify Hitler's power and popularity within Germany, as many Germans supported the idea of unifying German-speaking territories under one nation.