Lebensraum

Lebensraum (living space), term used by the Nazis as a slogan for German expansionism, particularly eastwards. Originally conceived by Hess, when he and Hitler were in prison together in 1924, it was propounded by Hitler at a secret meeting with Blomberg, Neurath, and his three service chiefs which took place in November 1937. Hitler reiterated what had always been his policy: the security and expansion of the German people. He rejected colonies as a method of expansion and said that the necessary living room had to be found in Europe, and that, contrary to his public pronouncements, force was going to have to be used to obtain it as soon as the right opportunity occurred.

Also present was Hitler's military adjutant, Colonel Friedrich Hossbach, who, against Hitler's orders, took notes of what Hitler said and later turned them into a document which became known as the Hossbach Memorandum. This meeting was revealed to the world at the Nuremberg trials and the memorandum is one of the most important documentary pieces of evidence for Hitler's determination to wage war. See also Germany, 1.