Final answer:
After the Battle of Britain, Hitler turned his military efforts towards Eastern Europe by launching Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941. This massive offensive was part of his pursuit of lebensraum, resources, and the elimination of ideologies contrary to Nazi beliefs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hitler's Strategy After Cancelling the Battle of Britain
Following the decision to abandon the plan to invade Britain after the Battle of Britain, Adolf Hitler redirected his attention towards Eastern Europe.
The outcome of the aerial combat during the summer and fall of 1940, where the Royal Air Force (RAF) of Britain successfully repelled the German Luftwaffe, led to a significant shift in Nazi military strategy.
Operation Barbarossa, the code name for the Axis invasion of the Soviet Union, marked the next phase of Hitler's aggressive expansion. Launching in June 1941, this invasion assembled an enormous military force, sweeping across Soviet territories in a fierce offensive.
Fueled by his desire for lebensraum (living space), raw materials, and the eradication of Jewish and communist elements in Europe, Hitler believed conquering the Soviet Union would secure resources necessary for the war and expand German territory.
Despite warnings from the Allies, the Soviets were largely unprepared for the sheer scale of the attack. Confidence in a quick victory was bolstered by the swift German victories in countries like Poland and France, as well as historical precedents such as Russia's challenging situation in World War I.
However, as Hitler would ultimately discover, the Soviet Union would not crumble easily—partly due to their scorched earth policy and the onset of the harsh Russian winter which stalled the German advance.