German Geopolitics II.

Nazi Geopolitics

Rural Landscape & Highway as Signs of National Identity

Karl HaushoferThe Man Behind the Curtain

• Father of English Geopolitics

• Mackinder: 1861-1947

• Father or Nazi ‘Geopolitik’

• Haushofer: 1869-1946

• Same age, same dilemmas,

• different approaches

His Life

• Studied Political sciences in Sweden at Rudolf Kjellén in 1891

• Then military-diplomatic career:• German Military Attache to Tokyo 1908-1910• Close relation with Japanese Emperor’s family• Close study of Japanese traditions and

problems, future alliance system• Annexation of Korea• Japanese Leader Tradition

Military Career

• WWI

• General of Artillery

• He had a soldier named Rudolf Hess

• Experience of war, experience of other European nations

• Comparism of War and Peace (Realism)

Scientific Career and Munich

• Munich in the twenties HQs of the NSDAP established as a Bavarian regional party

• Haushofer back to the University in Munich Japanese studies dissertation

• 1921 establishing Geopolitical Institut• He had a student called Rudolf Hess• ‘Beer Hall Revolt’ 1923• Hiding Hess and Hitler sharing his ideas with

them, visiting them in the jail• 1924 establishing Geopolitical Journal

(definitions of a science)

Good Relations with NSDAP

• Hess, Hitler, Goebbels, Ribbentrop, Himler• Similarities: against neighbours, revenge

for WWI, conservative, militarist traditions• Haushofer as ex Imperial General

introduced Nazi leaders to German and Swiss high society

• Haushofer: real author of Hitler’s books• ‘Mein Kampf’ and ‘Second Book’ with

exatly his early ideas

‘Geopolitik’ Became a Pillar of Nazi Ideology & International Relations:

• (more details and data from History of Diplomacy)

• Lebensraum

• Autarchy

• Pan Regions

• Naval and Land (Continental) Powers

• Borders

The Role of (Mass)Communication

• Zeitcshrift für Geopolitics: 750 000 copies per year

• Literature: Nation without Space• Radio: Haushofer had weekly speeches

(def. of soap opera)• Head of German Publishing Company• Science and Communication 2 levels• The entire German nation accepted the

ideas (propaganda)

His Ideas Forming International Relations

• ‘Shopping List’ expansion in Eu and Worldwide• Organiser of Munich Conference in 1938

(Czechoslovakia), his son draw the new borders of Europe

• Supporter of Ribentrop-Molotov pact 1939• Organiser of Italian-Japanese-German-

Hungarian alliance system (similar problems, need for space, WWI experience)

Career and Success in Various Levels

• Science

• Military

• Political

• Political Adviser in International relations

• Communication

• Thomas Mann: General Dr. von Staat

• 1946 Nürnberg trial