Did Nazi Germany Refuse to Recognize Sovereign States? Exploring Their Policies

Nazi Germany’s Refusal to Recognize Poland

During World War II, Nazi Germany showed little tolerance for states that did not align with its fascistic ideology. Poland, in Hitler's eyes, was an illegitimate entity born from the Treaty of Versailles, and it was dismembered accordingly. Following the Treaty of Versailles on June 28th, 1919, the western part of Poland was annexed into the German Reich, while the central part was governed as the Government General with brutal rule. The eastern part was ceded to the Soviet Union. It is important to note that until September 1939, Hitler's Nazi Germany only tolerated rather than fully recognized Poland.

Recognition of Other Countries

Interestingly, Nazi Germany showed a measure of respect for nations that maintained neutrality. For instance, countries like Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, and Portugal were recognized as neutral parties during the conflict. This neutrality was sometimes leveraged by these nations to navigate the challenging geopolitical landscape of the time.

Nazi Germany’s Recognition Policy Towards Ukraine

The recognition (or lack thereof) of Ukraine by Nazi Germany is a striking example of how political and ideological overtones influenced state recognition. On June 29, 1941, the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) declared the establishment of the Ukrainian state. In response, Nazi Germany did not immediately recognize the sovereign status of Ukraine. Instead, the leaders of the OUN, Yaroslav Stetsko and Stepan Bandera, who were directly responsible for this act, were arrested and incarcerated in a German concentration camp, not a death camp. Both Stetsko and Bandera survived the war.

The decision by Nazi Germany not to fully recognize Ukraine can be understood in the context of strategic considerations. While the leaders of the OUN sought to collaborate with the Nazis, ultimately, the establishment of a sovereign Ukrainian state remained a primary goal. The Nazis likely debated whether supporting the OUN’s proclamation could help in their objective of dismantling the Soviet Union, but ultimately decided against it due to strategic and ideological reasons.

Conclusion

During World War II, Nazi Germany’s policies towards recognizing or refusing to recognize sovereign states were complex and often influenced by ideological and strategic considerations. While they showed little tolerance for states that did not align with their ideology (like Poland), they also recognized some nations as neutral despite potential geopolitical benefits. The case of Ukraine highlights the nuanced approach of the Nazi regime in handling the recognition of new state entities, driven by both ideological and strategic interests.