ABSTRACT
On coming to power in January 1933, Hitler had of necessity to pursue a cautious policy abroad while consolidating his position at home. His first move, however, was to remove Germany from the League of Nations Disarmament Conference. He argued that the proposals would have stripped Germany of the means of self-defence. He followed this by withdrawal from the League itself, an action heavily endorsed by a plebiscite within Germany. In 1934 Hitler sought to allay suspicion that he was preparing a general offensive by drawing up a NonAggression Pact with Poland.
