Example research essay topic: Second World War Mein Kampf - 1,651 words

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... ted in Mein Kampf... Mr Trevor-Roper strongly believes that Mein Kampf possessed plans that Hitler eventually attempted to carry out. Sir Robert Ensor another notable historian is also of the opinion the there was a plan embedded in Mein Kampf. The question arises is Mein Kampf simply an ideological book for Hitler or a programme with sinister intentions? Mr Trevor-Roper is strongly of the opinion as many other historians are that Mein Kampf was a blue print for German expansion and many other Nazi policies.

Mein Kampf is being used by Mr Trevor-Roper to support his planned argument as Hitler speculates on his intentions and goals, which in most cases were carried out. Therefore Mr Trevor- Roper claims, constituting a plan. Although, Mein Kampf in all trueness is translated differently by different people. It is essential to note that although Mr Trevor-Roper uses it to support his programme argument this is merely based on his translation of Hitlers writing's. As although he feels it constitutes a plan Mr Taylor dismisses it and people who feel this way by stating they have... claimed to have discovered a plan.

Again, a though some historians inline with the opportunist argument dismiss it another group of historians in line with the planned line of argument, preach its significance. Mein Kampf is all about personal interpretation and it is essential to realize this. The next point for the planned argument is that of Hitlers various private speeches that in minute detail have been discussed already. Taylor used a portion of one of Hitlers speeches to portray how some statements Hitler said did not come true, so therefore how could there be a grand plan that was carried out. As with Mein Kampf Hitlers various speeches are again about personal interpretation. The opportunists use the speeches to argue there line, but so does the planned line of argument thinkers.

H. R. Trevor-Roper uses them as the knock out punch in his argument. On November 5 th 1937 Hitler summoned his war leaders (as already discussed in greater detail in the opportunist argument) to hear his last will and testament if anything should happen to him. It was named the Hossbach Memorandum.

Mr Trevor-Roper uses this speech as evidence for Hitlers plans of expansion although Europe. Mr Trevor-Roper has great support in his view of the speech because like Mr Taylor seems to forget, the speech was used at Nuremberg... as evidence of Hitlers plans for gradual conquest of Europe. (The Origins of The Second World War - H. R. Trevor-Roper. ) Hitler proclaimed the aim of Germany was for Lebensraum. German politics he said, Must reckon with two hateful enemy's, England and France, to whom a strong German colossus in the centre of Europe would be intolerable.

The German question can only be solved by way of force and this is never without risk. Hitler than described a conquest in terms of Austria and Czechoslovakia... the annexation of the two states to Germany, military and politically. Though Mr Trevor-Roper dwells on this issue minutely, the significance is quite clear. Hitler seemed to have a plan or clear agenda which was cloaked to a certain point in this speech but when studying the war itself it becomes quite clear. Hitler clearly didnt constitute lebensraum as Czechoslovakia and Austria but mere stepping stones for greater conquest.

The way in which Hitler described the many of the outcomes of the war in this speech is very supportive to the programme argument. The way in which Hitler acknowledges possible English and French evolvement and the eventual way in which he captures Czechoslovakia and Austria suggests that he had a plan all along. The plan may have been in light of his speeches and eventualities to devour the two nations and use them as stepping stones to Europe. This seems quite logical although Mr Taylor interprets Hitlers opinion towards the roles of the countries to be satellites. Again two views are portrayed and based on personal opinion. Mr Trevor-Ropers analyses of the speech seems to be very supportive of Hitler having a clear programme with foreign policies.

The next example to support the planned argument, is crisis that lead to the outbreak of World War Two. By this time both Austria and Czechoslovakia had been conquered both militarily and politically. There was no other option for further land gains than subsequently through Poland. The opportunistic argument falls limp here, because there were no opportunities presented to Hitler. How (as Mr Taylor would put it) could Hitler turn a situation like this to his advantage when there was no situation to turn? Hitler has no choice but to plan, deviously, his foreign policies so that he can invade Poland.

And of course he makes a pact with Russia that he feels will keep him safe form English- French involvement. Hitler as Mr Trevor-Roper believes had no choice but to plan for the invasion of Poland as he could not take advantage of a helpful situation like in Czechoslovakia. This point is further supported by Hitler stating there will be war. Our task is to isolate Poland... It must not come down to a simultaneous showdown with the West.

This point clearly highlights the already obvious that planning is taking place and will take place on domestic and foreign policies to ensure that Germany does not end up having to battle the West to achieve its outcomes. Both Mr Taylor and Mr Trevor-Roper produce strong arguments for and against Hitlers foreign policies being planned or not. In light of the arguments I am taking a slanted view towards the plan argument although acknowledging that many of Hitlers foreign policies were opportunistic. Before delving into the programme in which I feel Hitler clearly had, I will present a few policies in which Hitler clearly did not plan for but merely took advantage of a favourable situation. The foreign policies introduced to support the rising German faction in Czechoslovakia is an example of Hitler as Mr Taylor believes taking advantage of a situation. As previously described in the opportunistic argument, Hitler supported a Growing German Nationalistic takeover in Czechoslovakia.

This situation paved the way for the eventual takeover by Germany. Hitler merely acted on a situation that already existed and twisted it to suit his grander plan. Nether less, the policy of supporting the German faction was a policy that Hitler created on the basis of the grower support in Czechoslovakia for its re-unification with Germany. This is a clear example of an opportunistic situation. Hitler in many other examples takes advantage of situations that he has not created. It is possible i feel to prove that Hitler had a plan to achieve his objectives but in many situations such as this an opportunity presented itself and he took it with open hands.

So although most foreign policy's were planned some policy's were introduced to merely act on favourable situation. It seems to me regardless of Mr Taylor dismissing most of Hitlers speeches as him merely... talking for effect. Some speeches, in my opinion, clearly portray Hitler conveying his plans for Germany.

Which in turn would support the argument that numerous foreign policy's were planned because Hitler as portrayed in his speeches has an overall plan. The notorious November 5 th Speech which has already been discussed, is written off by Mr Taylor as a point for the programme argument as he feels Hitler... is talking for effect. I think the greatest strength of the planned argument is Hitlers speeches in particular this one. When reading the transcript of the speech it is clear that Hitler is directing German forces in the event of his death. The way in which he highlights his enemy's and subsequently plots the path for lebensraum to be taken, clearly suggests to me that there was a plan all along in foreign polices that attempted to push Nazi objectives.

Hitler in this speech practically draws the plan for German land gains. Reading the transcript of this and other Hitler speeches I ve drawn the conclusion through Hitlers constant talk of how the war will be fought and how German land gains will be made that Hitler had a programme to carry out his objectives. Of course you could argue that Hitler merely discussed his aims which doesnt constitute a plan, but again on personal opinion it seems clear to me that Hitler had a plan. The surplus arms build up that began to exponentially occur when Hitler came to power supports the argument for planned policies in the objective of land gains. The fact that Germany was building up arms supplies so substantially clearly portrays that Hitler was planning for something which would require great force. This is how i feel rearmament fits into the puzzle of foreign politicians.

Hitler would not have rearmed so strongly unless he had a plan for the years of 1933 - 1939 that required such arms. It seems logical that Hitler had objectives to carry out, for which he planned specific foreign policies for, the rearmament was essential to complement these policies. How could Germany gain land without a substantial Armed Service? To conclude, Adolf Hitler and the Nazis began rearmament to complement a series of Foreign policies that when the timing was right would implement. Although in my opinion there was a plan that aimed to carry out Nazi objectives through a series of planned foreign policies, some situations arose in which Hitler saw the opportunity to catalyst or mend a situation to his advantage.

Bibliography: Nazism - edited by Neil Gregor The Origins of the second World War - edited by Esmonde M. Robertson The Origins of the Second World War (Documents and Debates) - Victor Maria-Miles The Origins of the Second World War - A J P Taylor The Origins of the Second World War Reconsidered - Edited by Gordon Martel

Research essay sample on Second World War Mein Kampf