INVASION OF POLAND
(1939) In an effort to prevent Poland from allying with France, Adolf Hitler signed a nonaggression pact with the country in January 1934. Although, this move was not necessary popular because many German still felt resentment toward Poland that they took the previously German provinces West Prussia, Upper Silesia, and Poznan in the Treaty of Versailles.
France and Britain neither had the military strength to fight the Nazis so in the late 1930’s they began to try appeasement with them instead. This meant they conceded small things to Germany to keep them happy. Britain and France gave into Germany’s rearmament, remilitarization of the Rhineland, and annexation of Austria. Also, Britain, specifically Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, encouraged Czechoslovakia to not be resistant to a Nazi takeover so in turn the Germans would still not invade Poland, which they promised.
In August 1939 though, the Germans created the German-Soviet Pact, which stated that Poland would be split between the two nations. This meant the Germans could easily invade Poland because there would be no Soviet intervention. On September 1st 1939, Germany invaded Poland and succeeded in just a few weeks. They used the Blitzkrieg war tactic, which relies on the element of surprise, and a constant battering of short, powerful, overwhelming attacks. Attacking from the North, South, and West, the Germans quickly encircled Warsaw. Eventually Warsaw had to surrender on September 27, 1939. Poland remained under German control until January 1945. Because Germany had broken its promise with France and Britain though, they declared war on Germany September 3 that same year. The Soviet Union also invaded Poland September 17th.
Although the invasion of Poland was not very relevant to the United States since it was before Pearl Harbor so the nation was determined to stay out the war at this point, it was pivotal for Europe, because it essentially started the entire war.
France and Britain neither had the military strength to fight the Nazis so in the late 1930’s they began to try appeasement with them instead. This meant they conceded small things to Germany to keep them happy. Britain and France gave into Germany’s rearmament, remilitarization of the Rhineland, and annexation of Austria. Also, Britain, specifically Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, encouraged Czechoslovakia to not be resistant to a Nazi takeover so in turn the Germans would still not invade Poland, which they promised.
In August 1939 though, the Germans created the German-Soviet Pact, which stated that Poland would be split between the two nations. This meant the Germans could easily invade Poland because there would be no Soviet intervention. On September 1st 1939, Germany invaded Poland and succeeded in just a few weeks. They used the Blitzkrieg war tactic, which relies on the element of surprise, and a constant battering of short, powerful, overwhelming attacks. Attacking from the North, South, and West, the Germans quickly encircled Warsaw. Eventually Warsaw had to surrender on September 27, 1939. Poland remained under German control until January 1945. Because Germany had broken its promise with France and Britain though, they declared war on Germany September 3 that same year. The Soviet Union also invaded Poland September 17th.
Although the invasion of Poland was not very relevant to the United States since it was before Pearl Harbor so the nation was determined to stay out the war at this point, it was pivotal for Europe, because it essentially started the entire war.