L’Europe du sud-est dans la politique économique du Troisième Reich (1933-1939)
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Abstract
The Third Reich started since 1933 its economic expansion in the countries
of South Eastern Europe, aiming at obtaining raw materials (first of all
strategic minerals) and agricultural products in exchange for German industrial
goods. Germany could not pay in hard currency but such countries
as Hungary, Romania, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria accepted the advantageous
commercial conditions offered by Berlin. Although the rate of exchange of
the German Mark was certainly too high in comparison with its real value,
the governments of the above mentioned countries had little choise. Western
European powers were not particularly interested in trade with Hungary,
Romania or Yugoslavia and declined such economic agreements as those
which were offered and concluded by Germany. In particular after 1936 the German economic offensive was strengthened and nearly removed British,
French or Italian presence in South Eastern Europe. Germany succeeded in
obtaining in that area a position of true economic domination. Wheat from
Hungary, fuel from Romania or strategic minerals from Yugoslavia were
exported first of all to Germany even when the latter did not fulfil for some
time her financial obligations. When the Second World War approached,
countries of East - Central Europe became some kind of German economic
colony. The economic agreements with Romania in 1939 and later also
with Yugoslavia aided Germany’s industry for war purposes very efficiently.
of South Eastern Europe, aiming at obtaining raw materials (first of all
strategic minerals) and agricultural products in exchange for German industrial
goods. Germany could not pay in hard currency but such countries
as Hungary, Romania, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria accepted the advantageous
commercial conditions offered by Berlin. Although the rate of exchange of
the German Mark was certainly too high in comparison with its real value,
the governments of the above mentioned countries had little choise. Western
European powers were not particularly interested in trade with Hungary,
Romania or Yugoslavia and declined such economic agreements as those
which were offered and concluded by Germany. In particular after 1936 the German economic offensive was strengthened and nearly removed British,
French or Italian presence in South Eastern Europe. Germany succeeded in
obtaining in that area a position of true economic domination. Wheat from
Hungary, fuel from Romania or strategic minerals from Yugoslavia were
exported first of all to Germany even when the latter did not fulfil for some
time her financial obligations. When the Second World War approached,
countries of East - Central Europe became some kind of German economic
colony. The economic agreements with Romania in 1939 and later also
with Yugoslavia aided Germany’s industry for war purposes very efficiently.
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