Poland and the Final Steps to War

Aims: Examine why Poland was Hitler’s next target. Identify the main aims of the Nazi-Soviet Pact 1939 Outline the events leading to the British declaration of war on 3rd Sept 1939.

End of Appeasement Following the invasion of the remainder of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 the British government finally realised that Hitler could no longer be trusted. Appeasement was abandoned. It was now clear that Hitler’s next target would be Poland. It was now clear that Hitler’s next target would be Poland.

With a partner write down 3 reasons why Hitler would want to invade Poland Why would Hitler want to invade Poland??

Poland Lebensraum Germans living in Poland Wanted the Port of Danzig ‘ Polish Corridor’ divided Germany Treaty of Versailles had given Poland German territory Closer to Russia

Poland 1939

Hitler speaking on the radio to the German people, March 1939 Our requests are reasonable and threaten nobody. All we ask is another change in the Treaty of Versailles. We ask for the return of the old German seaport of Danzig which was unfairly taken from us in We also ask for greater use of road and rail links across Poland so that we can move freely between both part of Germany. Are our requests so unfair?

Hitler speaking to his generals, March 1939 Do you really think that I care about Danzig and the Polish corridor? I hate all of Poland! And the real prize if Russia and the Lebensraum that it offers. Poland is merely a temporary barrier to be removed. However, before we move we must know what the Russians will do. I do not want a war with them just yet.

Neville Chamberlain, April 1939 It is clear that we can no longer trust Hitler. We can only expect another aggressive move from him. Already he is making complaints about the Polish corridor and Danzig. We must expect pressure to grow on Poland. Therefore today the French government and ourselves have made a promise to Poland that if Germany attacks Poland we will do all that we can to protect and defend Poland.

Tasks Collect a map of EuropeCollect a map of Europe Complete Activities 1-6 in your jotter.Complete Activities 1-6 in your jotter.

Why was Russian help necessary if Poland was to be protected?

 The Russian leader, Joseph Stalin was worried – he knew Hitler wanted to expand eastwards.  If Poland was taken over by Germany, the way was open for an attack on Russia but Russia was not ready to fight.

 In April, Russia had asked Britain and France for an alliance but they could not agree.  Britain hated communism and Russia was a communist country.  Poland did not trust Russia and would not allow Russian soldiers into Poland.

The Nazi-Soviet Non Aggression Pact On August 23 rd, 1939 the world was shocked by an agreement between Russia and Germany.  Germany and Russia promised not to go to war with each other.  Russia would also not step in to protect Poland.  They secretly agreed to divide up Poland between them On September 1 st, 1939, Nazi forces attacked Poland.

A David Low cartoon about the Nazi- Soviet Agreement

Questions 1.Name the two men in the cartoon and their jobs. 2.What does ‘Rendezvous’ mean? 3.Why are the two men not greeting each other in a polite way yet raising their hats to each other? 4.Which country is represented by the body in the middle? 5.What do you see in the background of the cartoon and what does this represent? 6.Read page 50 and 51 of your work guide and complete question 17.

A Change in British Government Policy  After Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia, attitudes in Britain changed.  Britain’s military position was much stronger by early  Reports suggested that Hitler was not ready for a major war.  There was more likelihood of support from the British empire e.g. Canada, Australia etc.

The British Reaction  When Germany invaded Poland, Britain ordered Germany to stop the attack.  Britain made it clear that she would declare war on Germany if German troops did not retreat from Poland.  On the 3 rd of September, Chamberlain informed the British people that Britain was at war with Germany.

Appeasement – A Final Assessment Aim:  To examine the debate among historians over the policy of appeasement.

Appeasement – Right or Wrong?  After the Second World War, many people believed appeasement was a cowardly policy that led Britain into war.  In recent years, as new evidence has become available, other historians have argued that Chamberlain did the best he could in difficult circumstances.