Military action was the most important method used by Germany and Italy to pursue their foreign policies from 1933. How valid is this view?

From 1933 Fascist Germany and Italy used a combination of aggression and diplomacy in pursuit of their foreign policies. The two countries felt that expansion would strengthen their reputation and begin to heal the wounds from the humiliation of the Paris Peace Settlements. Military action was an important method used by Germany and Italy to pursue their foreign policy from 1933, however, it was not the only method used. The other methods Germany and Italy pursued were diplomacy and treaties. Military action was used to pursue the fascist expansionist foreign policy when Italy, a League of Nations Member, attacked Abyssinia, another League member. Italy simply ignored the rules of the League of Nations. Britain believed that Italy would not be defeated quickly so attempted to diffuse the situation through diplomacy. However, this failed, and Abyssinia was taken over by Italy. The attack of Abyssinia emphasised the threat of fascist countries. They were aggressive and did not honour treaties. It also had wider implications for the League of Nations as faith in the League’s ability to protect smaller nations from attacks was lost. Initially, the League of Nations did act by voting for economic sanctions, but they were never fully applied, ensuring Italy’s success. The League failed to maintain peace and trust was shattered. Italy retaliated by leaving the League emphasising Italy’s commitment to aggression. Britain was seen to do nothing to protect Abyssinia against the first clear example of fascist aggression. This called into question Britain’s own ability to rise to the threat of fascism, painting them as weak and disloyal. Therefore, military action can be shown to be an important method in the pursuit of German and Italian foreign policy. The remilitarisation of the Rhineland, 7^th March 1936, is another example showing military action being a method used to pursue German and Italian foreign policy. It was a joyous event across Germany. The remilitarisation changed the balance of power in Europe from France and its allies towards Germany, making it possible for Germany to pursue a policy of aggression in Western Europe that the demilitarised status of the Rhineland had blocked until then. Hitler also used justifications and diplomacy. He justified his rearmament and remilitarisation of the Rhineland as a defensive measure against an aggressive France. Hitler claimed he was justified as France refused to disarm and had made a potentially threatening alliance with Russia. The more reasons he gave for his actions the more opinion would move towards appeasing his demands. Hitler used diplomacy in exchange for being allowed to remilitarise the Rhineland. Hitler promised Germany would return to the League of Nations, which they left in 1933, start discussing disarmament and make a 25-year peace promise with Britain. Britain and other countries which thought about trying to stop Hitler were manipulated into stopping and thinking if it would be better to accept what Hitler did and enjoy the deal he offered. This meant in military terms that any action against Hitler would be delayed and he would gain the advantage. By providing positive promises, opposition to Hitler would be divided or at least slow in reacting. Most governments did not want to go to war, so Hitler gave them a way out of the dilemma. Therefore, justifications and diplomacy were also important methods used by Germany and Italy to pursue their foreign policy from 1933.
The Spanish Civil War broke out in 1936. It was fought between two opposing groups – the Nationalists and the Republicans. The Republicans were the democratically elected government who expected help from Britain and France. However, Britain and France followed the policy of non-intervention, abandoning their fellow democratic government. They were shown to be unreliable and weak. The Nationalists were rebels who did receive military aid from Germany and Italy. The Nationalists won the war in 1939 and Spain became a fascist country. The Spanish Civil War made the fascists stronger. Germany used the war as a training ground for its air force, preparing it for the attack on future countries. Italy used the war in order to boost its people’s confidence in its country’s leaders and military. It showed Italy to be great again. Italy also gained naval bases in the Spanish Balearic Islands, allowing it to strengthen its navy in preparation for future attacks. Germany and Italy were proving themselves to be more reliable allies than Britain and France. Britain and France were shown to be bowing down to fascism and unable to stop its spread. In March 1938 Germany invaded Austria. This was again breaking the Treaty of Versailles as the Treaty stated that Germany and Austria could not form an alliance without permission from the League of Nations. This event was called Anschluss. Hitler wanted to create a ‘Greater Germany’ and started spreading East as part of his expansionist plan. Again, this highlights German aggression and how military action was used to pursue foreign policy. The invasion of Austria also highlights how Hitler used positive justifications for his actions to manipulate the other powers in order to get what he wanted. When German troops marched into Austria Hitler claimed they were only moving in to help stabilise the country from communist troubles. He also pointed to the tens of thousands in the cheering crowds who welcomed the Germans. Hitler used excuses and justifications to confuse international reactions. Enhancing this agreement was the alliances and pacts Italy and Germany made. The German-Polish Non-Aggression Pact between Nazi Germany and Poland was signed on 26th January 1934. The pact promised peace for 10 years and normalised relations between Poland and Germany. Germany gained respectability and calmed international fears. This pact allowed Germany to find the perfect excuse to invade Poland which they did in 1939. Hitler had tried and tested multiple methods of creating an excuse to take action against Poland. The pact was made to buy Hitler time not to ensure peace. On 18th June 1935, Britain and Germany signed the Anglo-German Naval Agreement which allowed Germany parity in the air and to build up its naval forces to a level that was 35% of Britain’s. Germany was also allowed to build submarines to a level equal of Britain’s. This allowed Germany to build up her military strength without opposition. In August 1939 Germany and Russia signed the Nazi Soviet Non-Aggression Pact. This pact ensured Germany could attack Poland without being met with Russian resistance. It allowed both countries to buy time for themselves. Overall, military intervention was an important method used by Germany and Italy to pursue their foreign policy from 1933. It restored Germany and Italy’s reputation as great nations. It showed them to be strong and powerful. Military intervention also encouraged fascism to spread, for example in Spain, and allowed for Italian and German expansion, for example Abyssinia and Austria. However, on the other hand diplomacy and treaties also helped Germany and Italy’ foreign policy to succeed. Diplomacy manipulated other nations. By offering them false promises Germany and Italy slowed down opposition to their foreign policy and were able to begin expanding without military conflict. Treaties allowed the fascist countries to appear to be wanting to withhold peace. Treaties bought Germany and Italy enough time to build up their military in preparation for war. It allowed them to pursue their foreign policy.