Ian Kershaw is correct when he asserts that while Hitler was responsible for the execution of German foreign policy which inevitably led to World War II, Hitler was not immune from the the influence of external forces. Kershaw, professor of history at the University of Sheffield, is a structuralist. Structuralists generally believe that Hitler cannot be held solely responsible for World War II and that he was "a product of the environment he helped create." When it comes to details, structuralists tend to emphasize different aspects; for example, one may focus on the effects of socioeconomic pressure while another may focus on the lack of a coherent plan (343). Kershaw's article draws on many aspects of structuralism and provides a sufficiently comprehensive argument in its extract. German foreign policy during the Third Reich is a great source of debate. Many historians agree that Hitler did indeed make major foreign policy decisions after 1933. However, disagreement arises when discussing the extent to which foreign policy derived from "prejudice and agenda". ideological” of Hitler (356). According to the structuralists, foreign policy emphasized expansion and contained vague and unspecific objectives. This was due to the “uncontrollable dynamism and radicalizing momentum of the Nazi movement and the governmental system” (353). Hitler's foreign policy emphasized his image and ideological fixations, not his direct intervention and initiative. Hitler is seen as an opportunist who makes spontaneous decisions, rather than a man with a concrete plan (354). Kershaw supports his argument by including the views of other structuralists, such as Hans Mommsen, Martin Broszat. , and... middle of paper ......we imposed their own restrictions on Hitler's maneuverability. Therefore, Hitler made these decisions based not only on his own beliefs, but also in agreement with those of his supporters and fellow leaders. Many of the events that occurred during Hitler's reign would likely have occurred had Hitler not been elected, because "in some respects they were probable, even inevitable, as the unfinished business of World War I and the settlement post-war. There are few discontinuities in German foreign policy after 1933, which gives reason to believe this theory. His choices were based on the traditions of German politics and aimed at achieving dominance in Central Europe, leading to the conclusion that World War II was not the result of Hitler's master plan, as it could have been in be the result no matter who was in charge. load at that time (360).