1. Conquest and Expansion: Germany sought to expand its territory and empire by conquering new lands, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. The Nazis aimed to establish a "Greater German Reich" that would encompass German-speaking regions and create living space (Lebensraum) for the German people.
2. Racial Ideology and Lebensraum: The Nazi ideology heavily influenced the war aims, driven by the belief in racial superiority. The Nazis sought to acquire resources, land, and living space in Eastern Europe to support their vision of a racially pure and expanded Germany.
3. Anti-Semitism and the Final Solution: Exterminating Jews and other minorities was a central goal of the Nazis. The Holocaust became a primary German war aim, leading to the systematic genocide and mass murder of millions of people.
4. Economic Dominance: Germany aimed to become the dominant economic power in Europe. By conquering and controlling territories, the Nazis sought to gain access to natural resources, enhance industrial production, and eliminate economic rivals.
5. Geopolitical Ambitions: Germany pursued geopolitical goals, including the weakening of France, securing its eastern borders, and acquiring territories that could serve as strategic outposts or military bases.
6. Ideological Hegemony: The Nazi regime aimed to spread their ideology and establish a new European order based on National Socialist principles. They intended to overthrow existing governments and impose Nazi-friendly regimes in conquered territories.
7. Global Power Status: Germany sought to achieve the status of a global power, challenging the dominance of other major countries and establishing a sphere of influence in various parts of the world.
8. Military Superiority: The Nazis aimed to build a strong and powerful military machine to support their war aims. This included developing advanced weapons, increasing the size of the armed forces, and achieving technological superiority.
It is important to note that these war aims were constantly evolving and varied throughout the course of World War Two, influenced by changing circumstances and the military situation.