Poland and the Final Steps Poland and the Final Steps to Warto War

Aims:

Examine why Poland was Hitler’s next Examine why Poland was Hitler’s next target.target.

Identify the main aims of the Nazi-Identify the main aims of the Nazi-Soviet Pact 1939Soviet Pact 1939

Outline the events leading to the Outline the events leading to the British declaration of war on 3rd Sept British declaration of war on 3rd Sept 1939.1939.

End of Appeasement

Following the invasion of the remainder of Following the invasion of the remainder of

Czechoslovakia in March 1939 the British Czechoslovakia in March 1939 the British government government

finally realised that Hitler could no longer be finally realised that Hitler could no longer be trusted.trusted.

Appeasement was abandonedAppeasement was abandoned..

It was now clear that Hitler’s next target It was now clear that Hitler’s next target would be Poland.would be Poland.

With a partner write down 3 reasons why With a partner write down 3 reasons why Hitler Hitler

would want to invade Poland.would want to invade Poland.

1.1.2.2.3.3.

Why would Hitler want to invade Poland??

Closer toRussia

Treaty of Versailles hadgiven Poland

German territory

‘Polish Corridor’divided Germany

Wanted the Port of Danzig

Germans living inPoland

Lebensraum

Poland

Poland 1939

Hitler speaking on the radio to the German people, March 1939

Our requests are reasonable and threaten nobody. Our requests are reasonable and threaten nobody.

All we ask is another change in the Treaty of All we ask is another change in the Treaty of Versailles. We ask for the return of the old Versailles. We ask for the return of the old German seaport of Danzig which was unfairly German seaport of Danzig which was unfairly

taken taken from us in 1919. We also ask for greater use of from us in 1919. We also ask for greater use of road and rail links across Poland so that we can road and rail links across Poland so that we can move freely between both part of Germany. Are move freely between both part of Germany. Are our requests so unfair?our requests so unfair?

Hitler speaking to his generals, March 1939

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

Neville Chamberlain, April 1939

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

Tasks

•Collect a map of EuropeCollect a map of Europe

•Complete Activities 1-6 in your Complete Activities 1-6 in your jotter.jotter.

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

The Russian leader, Joseph Stalin was The Russian leader, Joseph Stalin was worried – he knew Hitler wanted to worried – he knew Hitler wanted to expand eastwards.expand eastwards.

If Poland was taken over by Germany, If Poland was taken over by Germany, the way was open for an attack on the way was open for an attack on Russia but Russia was not ready to Russia but Russia was not ready to fight.fight.

In April, Russia had asked Britain and In April, Russia had asked Britain and France for an alliance but they could France for an alliance but they could not agree.not agree.

Britain hated communism and Russia Britain hated communism and Russia was a communist country.was a communist country.

Poland did not trust Russia and would Poland did not trust Russia and would not allow Russian soldiers into Poland.not allow Russian soldiers into Poland.

The Nazi-Soviet Non Aggression Pact

On August 23On August 23rdrd, 1939 the world was shocked by an , 1939 the world was shocked by an

agreement between Russia and Germany.agreement between Russia and Germany.

Germany and Russia promised not to go to war Germany and Russia promised not to go to war with each other.with each other.

Russia would also not step in to protect Poland.Russia would also not step in to protect Poland. They secretly agreed to divide up Poland between They secretly agreed to divide up Poland between

themthem

On September 1On September 1stst, 1939, Nazi forces attacked , 1939, Nazi forces attacked Poland.Poland.

A David Low cartoon about the Nazi-A David Low cartoon about the Nazi-Soviet AgreementSoviet Agreement

QuestionsQuestions

1.1. Name the two men in the cartoon and their Name the two men in the cartoon and their jobs.jobs.

2.2. What does ‘Rendezvous’ mean?What does ‘Rendezvous’ mean?

3.3. Why are the two men not greeting each other in Why are the two men not greeting each other in a polite way yet raising their hats to each other?a polite way yet raising their hats to each other?

4.4. Which country is represented by the body in the Which country is represented by the body in the middle?middle?

5.5. What do you see in the background of the What do you see in the background of the cartoon and what does this represent?cartoon and what does this represent?

6.6. Read page 50 and 51 of your work guide and Read page 50 and 51 of your work guide and complete question 17.complete question 17.

A Change in British Government Policy

After Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia, After Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia, attitudes in Britain changed.attitudes in Britain changed.

Britain’s military position was much Britain’s military position was much stronger by early 1939.stronger by early 1939.

Reports suggested that Hitler was not ready Reports suggested that Hitler was not ready for a major war.for a major war.

There was more likelihood of support from There was more likelihood of support from the British empire e.g. Canada, Australia the British empire e.g. Canada, Australia etc.etc.

The British Reaction

When Germany invaded Poland, Britain When Germany invaded Poland, Britain ordered Germany to stop the attack.ordered Germany to stop the attack.

Britain made it clear that she would declare Britain made it clear that she would declare war on Germany if German troops did not war on Germany if German troops did not retreat from Poland.retreat from Poland.

On the 3On the 3rdrd of September, Chamberlain of September, Chamberlain informed the British people that Britain was informed the British people that Britain was at war with Germany.at war with Germany.

Appeasement – A Final Assessment

AimAim::

To examine the debate among historians To examine the debate among historians over the policy of appeasement.over the policy of appeasement.

Appeasement – Right or Wrong?

After the Second World War, many people After the Second World War, many people believed appeasement was a cowardly believed appeasement was a cowardly policy that led Britain into war.policy that led Britain into war.

In recent years, as new evidence has In recent years, as new evidence has become available, other historians have become available, other historians have argued that Chamberlain did the best he argued that Chamberlain did the best he could in difficult circumstances.could in difficult circumstances.