How the crisis became war in 1939

G2 Full History - syllabus K227, 2027

The Nazi-Soviet Pact made invading Poland less risky for Hitler; he invaded on 1 September, and Britain and France declared war on 3 September.

The Soviet Union was a communist state led by Joseph Stalin. It and Nazi Germany were political enemies. Yet on 23 August 1939, they signed a non-aggression pact, promising not to attack each other.

Each side gained. For Hitler, the pact removed the risk of Soviet opposition if attacking Poland also brought war with Britain and France. Stalin gained time, security and a chance to take land, after his talks with Britain and France had failed.

The pact had a secret protocol, an extra hidden section. It divided eastern Europe into spheres of influence, areas each power claimed the right to dominate, and planned changes to Poland's borders. So the public promise of peace hid a private deal at their neighbours' expense. It did not mean their beliefs had become the same, or that either promised to leave Poland alone.

Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939. Britain and France had promised to protect Poland. When Germany refused their demand to withdraw, they declared war on 3 September. Soviet troops invaded eastern Poland on 17 September.

Keep each step's role clear. The pact made an attack less risky for Hitler. The invasion started the fighting. British and French decisions brought them into the war. The pact did not itself start the war.

23 August 1939
Nazi-Soviet Pact signed.
1 September 1939
Germany invades Poland.
3 September 1939
Britain and France declare war.

Worked example: Link the pact, the attack and the declarations

Why did a pact signed in August matter to the war that began in September?

  1. The pact removes the risk of Soviet opposition for Hitler.
  2. Hitler then chooses to invade Poland on 1 September.
  3. Britain and France declare war on 3 September. Each step did a different job.

Watch out for this

Signing the Nazi-Soviet Pact started the war in Europe.

The pact made war more likely. The German invasion of Poland started it.

Check your understanding

Why was the Nazi-Soviet Pact useful to Hitler?

  1. It meant he would not face the USSR if he attacked Poland.
  2. It made the USSR and Germany share the same beliefs.
  3. It forced Britain and France to stay neutral.
Sources and context

Background reading for this chapter.

  • A public commitment to consultation

    Anglo-German declaration signed by Hitler and Chamberlain, 30 September 1938, as read in Chamberlain's House of Commons statement on 3 October. Paraphrase of the declaration, not the whole speech.

  • Chamberlain defends Munich

    Neville Chamberlain, British prime minister, addressing the House of Commons, 3 October 1938, after returning from Munich. Paraphrase of passages on the agreement, Czechoslovakia, future peace and rearmament.

  • Churchill challenges the settlement

    Winston Churchill, Conservative MP and critic of the government's appeasement policy, speaking in the House of Commons, 5 October 1938. Paraphrase of passages on deterrence and Czechoslovakia.

  • A record of Hitler's private discussion

    Colonel Friedrich Hossbach's memorandum, dated 10 November 1937, recording Hitler's meeting with senior military and foreign-policy officials on 5 November. Paraphrase of the recorded discussion; the memorandum is not a word-for-word transcript.

  • Munich Pact, 29 September 1938, clauses 1-4

    Munich Pact, dated 29 September 1938 and signed by Germany, Britain, France and Italy in the early hours of 30 September. Paraphrase of clauses 1-4; Czechoslovakia was later represented on the implementation commission.

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