Adolf Hitler's reaction to the declarations of war by Britain and France on September 3, 1939, was one of frustration, disbelief, and strategic calculation. Although Hitler had long been preparing for a broader conflict in Europe, he had hoped that Britain, in particular, would remain neutral or even align with Nazi Germany in some capacity. The rapidity of the British and French responses to Germany's invasion of Poland caught Hitler off guard to some extent, but he ultimately saw it as an inevitable consequence of his aggressive expansionist policies.
Here are the key elements of Hitler's reaction:
1. Frustration and Disbelief
Initially, Hitler was frustrated by the British and French declarations of war. He had hoped that Britain, which he believed shared common interests with Germany, would not intervene over Poland. Hitler had envisioned a strategy where Germany could focus on its territorial ambitions in Eastern Europe without facing a major war with the Western powers. When Britain and France declared war, he was somewhat incredulous, as he believed the British and French leaders would prioritize avoiding conflict over Poland, especially since Poland was geographically distant from Britain and France.
2. A Sense of Defiance
Hitler's response quickly turned to defiance. He portrayed the declarations of war as an act of aggression by Britain and France, framing it as a war that had been forced upon Germany. In his speeches, he emphasized that Germany was simply asserting its rightful place in Europe and that the war was a defensive measure against what he perceived as a hostile encirclement by Britain and France. He presented the situation as one where Germany had no choice but to resist the "oppressive" policies of the Western democracies.
3. Strategic Calculation
Despite his initial frustration, Hitler was not deeply worried about the declarations of war. He had long prepared for a conflict and believed that Germany's military strength would quickly overpower the Western Allies. Hitler's initial confidence stemmed from the rapid success of Germany’s Blitzkrieg tactics in Poland, which he believed could be replicated against France and potentially Britain. He thought that Britain and France would not be able to mount an effective military response in the early stages of the war.