The German-Soviet Pact of August 1939, which stated that Poland was to be partitioned between the two powers, enabled Germany to attack Poland without the fear of Soviet intervention. On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. The Polish army was defeated within weeks of the invasion.

German Invasion of Poland

The correct answer to the question is option A - Poland. The German invasion of Poland marked the beginning of World War II. This event took place on September 1, 1939, when German forces launched a coordinated attack on Poland from the west, north, and south.

Reasons for the Invasion

- German Expansionism: Adolf Hitler, the leader of Nazi Germany, had long been expressing his desire for territorial expansion. He sought to create a greater German empire, which included incorporating ethnic Germans living in neighboring countries like Poland.

- Poland as a Target: Poland was seen as a potential target due to its strategic location and the presence of a significant German minority in the country. Hitler also believed that Poland would be an easy target and that the international community would not intervene.

- Non-Aggression Pact with the Soviet Union: To avoid a two-front war, Hitler signed a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union, known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, on August 23, 1939. This agreement included secret protocols that divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence between Germany and the Soviet Union.

The Invasion

- On September 1, 1939, German forces initiated a massive assault on Poland. The Luftwaffe, the German air force, launched extensive bombing campaigns targeting Polish cities and military installations.

- Simultaneously, German ground forces, equipped with tanks and artillery, advanced into Poland from multiple directions. They quickly overwhelmed Polish defenses and began capturing cities and territories.

- The Polish army fought valiantly but was ultimately outmatched by the superior German forces. The German military employed innovative tactics such as Blitzkrieg, which combined fast-moving armored units with close air support, to swiftly defeat Polish resistance.

- The invasion of Poland triggered a domino effect of declarations of war and military alliances. Britain and France, honoring their commitments to Poland, declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939, thus escalating the conflict into a global war.

Outcome

- The German invasion of Poland marked the beginning of World War II. It set the stage for subsequent German aggression and conquests in Europe.

- Poland was divided between Germany and the Soviet Union, with the latter launching its own invasion from the east on September 17, 1939. The occupation of Poland resulted in widespread human suffering, including mass killings, forced labor, and the Holocaust.

- The invasion of Poland also highlighted the failure of international diplomacy and the inability of the League of Nations to prevent aggression. It demonstrated the dire need for a new world order and collective security, leading to the eventual formation of the United Nations after the war.

In conclusion, the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, marked the beginning of World War II. This event was driven by Hitler's expansionist ambitions, the strategic importance of Poland, and the non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union. The invasion quickly led to the global conflict and set the stage for further German aggression in Europe.

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