us_ch8_webquest2-Poland

=**September 1, 1939 - Invasion of Poland**=

Hitler had formed a non-aggression pact with the U.S.S.R. - the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact - since he didn't want the Soviet Union to become a problem when he attacked Poland. There were secret parts to this agreement, which included the Soviet Union attacking Poland from the east and occupying eastern Poland. Hitler only wanted the western part of Poland (for now) since he wanted to control the key port city of Danzig. Mark Danzig on your map.

So, on September 1, 1939 German invaded Poland from the west and the Soviet Union attacked from the east. Mark the invasion on your map.

Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939 but in reality didn't have the power to stop Germany. The U.S. proclaimed neutrality.

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