September 1, 1939

Definition

September 1, 1939, marks the date when Germany invaded Poland, signaling the official start of World War II in Europe. This invasion was facilitated by the Nazi-Soviet Pact, which allowed Germany to launch a surprise attack on Poland without fear of Soviet intervention, dramatically altering the geopolitical landscape and initiating a brutal conflict that would engulf much of the world.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The invasion of Poland was executed using the Blitzkrieg strategy, combining air assaults with fast-moving ground troops to create chaos and confusion.
2. As a result of the invasion, Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939, officially widening the conflict into World War II.
3. Poland was partitioned as per the secret terms of the Nazi-Soviet Pact, with the eastern part falling under Soviet control after their invasion on September 17, 1939.
4. This event marked not only the beginning of World War II but also highlighted the failure of appeasement policies adopted by Western democracies in the years leading up to the war.
5. The swift defeat of Polish forces demonstrated the effectiveness of German military tactics and foreshadowed subsequent invasions across Europe.

Review Questions

• How did the Nazi-Soviet Pact facilitate Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939?
  • The Nazi-Soviet Pact allowed Germany to invade Poland with confidence that the Soviet Union would not intervene. By securing a non-aggression agreement, Hitler could concentrate his forces on a single front without worrying about facing a two-front war. This collaboration between two totalitarian regimes enabled a coordinated effort that ultimately led to Poland's rapid defeat.
• Discuss the immediate international response to Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, and its implications for Europe.
  • Following Germany's invasion of Poland, Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939. This marked a significant shift from previous policies of appeasement to direct military confrontation. The declaration set off a chain reaction in international relations, leading to alliances forming against Germany and escalating tensions across Europe as nations prepared for prolonged conflict.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the September 1, 1939 invasion of Poland in shaping World War II and post-war Europe.
  • The invasion on September 1, 1939, had profound long-term consequences that shaped both World War II and the post-war landscape of Europe. It led directly to widespread destruction and loss of life throughout Europe and established a precedent for aggressive military expansionism that other Axis powers would follow. After the war, Europe's borders were redrawn, leading to new nations and significant geopolitical shifts, including the onset of the Cold War as tensions between former allies emerged.

Related terms

Nazi-Soviet Pact: A non-aggression treaty signed between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union on August 23, 1939, which included secret protocols for the division of Eastern Europe.

Blitzkrieg: A military tactic used by Germany characterized by rapid and overwhelming force to quickly incapacitate an enemy, effectively demonstrated during the invasion of Poland.

Dunkirk: The site of a significant military evacuation in 1940 where Allied troops were rescued from encirclement by German forces after the fall of France.