Hitler’s Greenland Obsession
The Atlantic
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Adolf Hitler’s fascination with Greenland was both personal and strategic. From his youth, he was captivated by Arctic explorers like Fridtjof Nansen and Alfred Wegener, whose exploits inspired his interest in the region. Evidence from Hitler’s private library, including a rare book about Wegener’s ill-fated expedition, suggests this obsession evolved into a broader economic and political strategy during his leadership.
In 1934, Hitler’s government conducted a detailed inventory of Greenland’s resources, revealing its strategic importance as a source of cryolite—a mineral critical for aluminum production—and other natural assets. This interest intensified in 1938 when Hermann Göring sent an expedition led by mining engineer Kurt Herdemerten to explore the island’s economic potential. While presented as a scientific mission, the true goal was likely to secure Greenland’s resources for Germany’s growing economy.
Hitler’s focus on Greenland and Antarctica was part of his broader effort to make Germany economically self-sufficient. His protectionist policies, including harsh tariffs and a ban on Norwegian whale-oil imports, strained the nation’s economy. Whale oil was essential not only for margarine but also for nitroglycerin production, crucial for munitions. To replace this dependency, Hitler sought to exploit Arctic and Antarctic resources through German whaling fleets and territorial claims, asserting control over regions he viewed as vital to national security.
This article highlights how Hitler’s obsession with Greenland reflects the intersection of personal interest, economic necessity, and geopolitical ambition. His efforts to secure strategic resources reveal a lesser-known aspect of Nazi policy—one that underscores the lengths to which regimes will go to ensure economic and military strength. For readers interested in politics and history, this story offers insight into the darker side of national expansionism and resource control during wartime.
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Originally published on The Atlantic on 2/19/2026