L' europe du sud-est dans la politique economique du troisieme reich (1933-1939)
Part of : Balkan studies : biannual publication of the Institute for Balkan Studies ; Vol.32, No.1, 1991, pages 89-105
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89-105
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South eastern Europe in economic politics of the third reich (1933-1939)
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The Third Reich started since 1933 its economic expansion in the countriesof South Eastern Europe, aiming at obtaining raw materials (first of allstrategic minerals) and agricultural products in exchange for German industrialgoods. Germany could not pay in hard currency but such countriesas Hungary, Romania, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria accepted the advantageouscommercial conditions offered by Berlin. Although the rate of exchange ofthe German Mark was certainly too high in comparison with its real value,the governments of the above mentioned countries had little choise. WesternEuropean powers were not particularly interested in trade with Hungary,Romania or Yugoslavia and declined such economic agreements as thosewhich 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 inobtaining in that area a position of true economic domination. Wheat fromHungary, fuel from Romania or strategic minerals from Yugoslavia wereexported first of all to Germany even when the latter did not fulfil for sometime her financial obligations. When the Second World War approached,countries of East - Central Europe became some kind of German economiccolony. The economic agreements with Romania in 1939 and later alsowith Yugoslavia aided Germany’s industry for war purposes very efficiently.
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