Invasion of Poland (AQA GCSE History): Revision Notes
Invasion of Poland
Background and context
By September 1939, Hitler had secured promises of political support from Mussolini and felt confident enough to launch his invasion of Poland. This aggressive action would trigger the outbreak of the Second World War within just a few days.
The strategic importance of Poland cannot be understated. The country contained the port city of Danzig, which had been made independent under the Treaty of Versailles despite having a population that was approximately 90% German. This situation created ongoing tensions and provided Hitler with a justification for his aggressive actions.
The Treaty of Versailles had created several contested territories like Danzig, where ethnic Germans lived under foreign administration. These areas became focal points for Nazi propaganda and territorial demands throughout the 1930s.
Timeline of events leading to war
The path to war unfolded rapidly during the final months of peace:
31 March 1939: Chamberlain made a crucial promise to the Polish government, guaranteeing that Britain would protect Poland's borders if Hitler chose to invade the country.
1 September 1939: At dawn, German naval forces launched their attack on the port of Danzig, marking the beginning of the invasion. Simultaneously, ground troops and the German air force began their assault on Poland. The entire Polish air force was destroyed while still on the ground, demonstrating the effectiveness of German military tactics.
1 September 1939: Poland immediately requested assistance from both France and Britain, hoping these allies would honour their commitments.
3 September 1939: After waiting three days in hopes that Hitler might withdraw his forces, Britain and France formally declared war on Germany.
The destruction of Poland's air force on the ground within hours of the invasion demonstrated the devastating effectiveness of surprise attacks in modern warfare. This tactic would become a hallmark of German military strategy throughout the early war years.
Timeline of major events
- 31 March 1939: Chamberlain's guarantee to Poland
- 1 September 1939: German invasion begins at dawn
- 1 September 1939: Poland requests help from allies
- 3 September 1939: Britain and France declare war on Germany
Hitler's motives for the invasion
Hitler's decision to invade Poland was driven by several calculated factors that he believed would ensure a quick and successful campaign.
Military confidence
Hitler believed that a war in Poland would be swift and relatively easy to win. His confidence stemmed from the success of previous invasions, which had been accomplished quickly and with minimal resistance. He expected the invasion of Poland would follow the same pattern as his earlier territorial acquisitions.
Hitler's previous successes in the Rhineland (1936), Austria (1938), and Czechoslovakia (1938-1939) had all been achieved without military resistance, reinforcing his belief that European powers would continue to avoid confrontation.
Strategic advantages from the Nazi-Soviet Pact
The non-aggression pact signed with Stalin provided Hitler with a crucial strategic advantage. He knew that with Soviet neutrality secured, he would only need to fight on one front rather than facing the nightmare scenario of a two-front war that had plagued Germany during the First World War.
Expectations about appeasement
Hitler was convinced that Neville Chamberlain and Édouard Daladier would continue their policy of appeasement rather than risk another devastating war. Based on their previous responses to his actions in the Rhineland, Austria, and Czechoslovakia, he calculated that they would ultimately back down rather than fight.
Military limitations ignored
Despite some of his generals suggesting that Germany needed more time to prepare adequate defences against potential British and French counter-attacks, Hitler dismissed these concerns. The German army was not completely ready for a prolonged war, and the German economy had not been fully converted to wartime production. However, Hitler ignored these warnings and compelled his military leaders to swear oaths of loyalty to ensure their compliance with his plans.
Hitler's decision to ignore his generals' warnings about military preparedness would prove to be a recurring pattern throughout the war, often leading to strategic miscalculations that ultimately contributed to Germany's defeat.
Britain's declaration of war
The British response to the invasion demonstrated that the policy of appeasement had finally reached its limits.
On 3 September 1939, the British ambassador in Berlin delivered an ultimatum to the German government. The message was clear and direct: Germany had until 11 am to promise a complete withdrawal from Poland, or Britain would declare war.
When the deadline passed without any response from Germany, Chamberlain made a historic radio announcement at 11:15 am, informing the British public that their country was now at war with Germany. France followed suit shortly afterward, fulfilling their obligations to Poland.
The fifteen-minute delay between the ultimatum deadline and Chamberlain's announcement reflected the gravity of the moment. This was the first time Britain had declared war since 1914, marking the end of two decades of efforts to maintain peace in Europe.
Britain and France had waited three days before making their declaration, hoping against hope that Hitler might reconsider his actions and withdraw his forces. However, their patience was not rewarded, and they were forced to honour their commitments to Poland.
Significance and consequences
The invasion of Poland marked a crucial turning point that distinguished it from Hitler's previous territorial acquisitions. Unlike his earlier actions in the Rhineland, Austria, and Czechoslovakia, this invasion finally provoked the major European powers into military action.
The rapid destruction of Polish air power demonstrated the effectiveness of German military tactics and foreshadowed the lightning-fast campaigns that would characterise the early years of the war. The coordination between naval, ground, and air forces showed how modern warfare had evolved since 1918.
The invasion of Poland introduced the world to "Blitzkrieg" or lightning war tactics, which combined rapid ground advances with coordinated air support to overwhelm enemy defences before they could effectively respond.
The three-day delay between the invasion and the declaration of war also revealed the reluctance of Britain and France to abandon their hopes for a peaceful resolution, even in the face of clear aggression.
Key Points to Remember:
- 1 September 1939: German forces attacked Poland at dawn, destroying the entire Polish air force on the ground
- Hitler's miscalculation: He expected Britain and France to continue their appeasement policy rather than declare war
- Strategic importance of Danzig: This German-majority port city provided Hitler with justification for invasion
- Three-day delay: Britain and France waited from September 1st to 3rd, hoping Hitler would withdraw
- End of appeasement: The invasion of Poland finally forced the Western democracies to take military action against Nazi aggression