1. Gaining Resources: Austria and Czechoslovakia had significant natural resources, including iron ore, coal, timber, and water, which were crucial for Germany's industrial and military sectors. By acquiring these resources, Germany aimed to reduce its dependence on imports and secure a steady supply of raw materials for its war efforts.
2. Enlarging Territory: Expanding its territory was a key part of Germany's geopolitical ambitions. By annexing Austria and Czechoslovakia, Germany increased its size, giving it more land and strategic depth. This territorial expansion served to enhance Germany's military capabilities and provided additional space for its growing population.
3. Securing Borders: Austria and Czechoslovakia shared borders with Germany and other key European countries, making them strategically important territories. By controlling these areas, Germany aimed to secure its borders and prevent potential invasions from neighboring countries.
4. Weakening Allies: Austria and Czechoslovakia were allies of France and other Western European countries. By conquering these nations, Germany sought to weaken the alliances that could oppose its expansionist plans and disrupt the balance of power in Europe.
5. Ideological Reasons: Nazi Germany was driven by a desire for territorial expansion and the unification of all German-speaking peoples into a single "Greater Germany." Austria and Czechoslovakia had significant German populations, and their annexation was seen as a way to fulfill this ideological goal.
6. Lebensraum: The Nazi ideology emphasized the need for "living space" (Lebensraum) for the German people. By annexing Austria and Czechoslovakia, Germany aimed to acquire agricultural land, resources, and territory to support its growing population and expand its influence in Eastern Europe.
Overall, the conquest of Austria and Czechoslovakia served multiple strategic purposes for Germany, including gaining resources, expanding territory, securing borders, weakening alliances, fulfilling ideological objectives, and acquiring Lebensraum.
