Invasion Of Poland
Gabriella Martino
History 2702
Professor Huggins
12 November 2013
Invasion of Poland
World War II, a war that shocked the world, decimating the previous held title by the first “war to end all wars”, started quite simply, over a squabble over an area of land. The gears began to turn in 1933, when the Nazi Socialist Party came to power in Germany, with young Adolf Hitler at its helm. In his zeal, Hitler desired to annex to nearby territories, including Bohemia, Austria, and Poland. Relations were quite stable between the two countries, culminating in the signing of the German-Polish Non Aggression Act in 1934. The pact began to lean in Germany’s favor, basically demanding that Poland become dependent on Germany and to side with the German’s against the Soviet Union. Poland drew back, not willing to surrender their independence. The main source of discontent was the continued disagreement over the Polish Corridor, a section of land that had been much disputed over and contained the majority of Polish citizens at the time. Another area of interest to Hitler was Danzig, which lay on the other side of the Corridor. Hitler claimed his desire was to ‘liberate’ the German’s living in the Corridor as well as in Danzig, and began plans to build a roadway through the Corridor into Danzig, which was not taken well by the Polish, who feared the intrusion and possible source of a foothold for Germany. Seeing how the negotiations are going, England and France side with Poland, pledging to intercede on their behalf should Germany invade. Meanwhile, Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister of England, and Hitler are in discussions, hoping to settle over the Corridor and Danzig peacefully. Realizing in April 1939 that the negotiations are not going in his direction, Hitler withdraw from his pacts with Poland and begins discussions with the Soviet Union to work together to gain Poland. Fearing imminent war, England officially signs a pact with Poland in
History 2702
Professor Huggins
12 November 2013
Invasion of Poland
World War II, a war that shocked the world, decimating the previous held title by the first “war to end all wars”, started quite simply, over a squabble over an area of land. The gears began to turn in 1933, when the Nazi Socialist Party came to power in Germany, with young Adolf Hitler at its helm. In his zeal, Hitler desired to annex to nearby territories, including Bohemia, Austria, and Poland. Relations were quite stable between the two countries, culminating in the signing of the German-Polish Non Aggression Act in 1934. The pact began to lean in Germany’s favor, basically demanding that Poland become dependent on Germany and to side with the German’s against the Soviet Union. Poland drew back, not willing to surrender their independence. The main source of discontent was the continued disagreement over the Polish Corridor, a section of land that had been much disputed over and contained the majority of Polish citizens at the time. Another area of interest to Hitler was Danzig, which lay on the other side of the Corridor. Hitler claimed his desire was to ‘liberate’ the German’s living in the Corridor as well as in Danzig, and began plans to build a roadway through the Corridor into Danzig, which was not taken well by the Polish, who feared the intrusion and possible source of a foothold for Germany. Seeing how the negotiations are going, England and France side with Poland, pledging to intercede on their behalf should Germany invade. Meanwhile, Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister of England, and Hitler are in discussions, hoping to settle over the Corridor and Danzig peacefully. Realizing in April 1939 that the negotiations are not going in his direction, Hitler withdraw from his pacts with Poland and begins discussions with the Soviet Union to work together to gain Poland. Fearing imminent war, England officially signs a pact with Poland in
Cited: Majer, Diemut. Non-Germans" Under the Third Reich : the Nazi Judicial and Administrative System in Germany and Occupied Eastern Europe with Special Regard to Occupied Poland, 1939-1945. Baltimore London: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2003. Print. Parkinson, Roger. The Encyclopedia of Modern War. New York. Stein & Day. 1977. Print.