Hitler had achieved the ultimate goal of German nationalism, the establishment of Grossdeutschland, something which had eluded even Bismarck, and he had done so without provoking war. This extraordinary national resurrection was above all based on a gigantic armaments effort, which had been managed in such a way as to give full employment to the German people whilst avoiding the curse of inflation. This too was a unique historical accomplishment. But, in the autumn of 1938, at the moment of Hitler’s greatest triumph, the economic foundations of his success were in question.
