The road to war The final steps Czechoslovakia and Poland March to September 1939

Aims of the lesson By the end of this lesson you will Understand the reasons why the Munich agreement failed Evaluate the preparations that Britain and France made for war between March and September 1939 Analyse the reasons why Hitler attacked Poland in September 1939 and the response of Britain and France

Background September 1938 – Sudetenland given over to Germany without a shot being fired Chamberlain and Hitler agreed never to go to war with each other and Hitler promised that did not want to conquer anywhere else Many critics in England – Churchill etc The remaining Czech lands were helpless and there for the taking

The end of Czechoslovakia October 1938 – Poland took a part of Czechoslovakia – no action taken 1939 – the Slovaks demanded more rights and appealed to Hitler for help In March 1939 the Czechs had no choice but to invite the Germans in 15 th March – Hitler marched into Prague and Czechoslovakia disappeared for the map

The end of appeasement The annexation of Czechoslovakia changed Chamberlains attitude to Hitler Hitler could not justify this invasion as writing a wrong from Versailles Made Chamberlain look stupid – Hitler shown to be an aggressor who could not be trusted Chamberlain began to build up the army and introduced conscription

Poland – the next target Hitler then ceased Memel from Lithuania – putting pressure on Poland which split Germany in two German people also lived in Danzig which had been taken from Germany in the ToV Britain and France promised to help Poland if she was attacked by Germany but could not really help her – only the USSR could do this

The Nazi-Soviet Pact 1939 Poland not prepared to accept help from the USSR who she feared as much as Germany Hitler hated the USSR – had said that he would wipe it off the face of the earth 23 rd August 1939 – Hitler signed a non aggression pact with the USSR. A major shock to everyone

Both countries agreed not to attack each other and to divide Poland between them The Polish clauses were a secret Hitler was sure that this would stop France and Britain declaring war over Poland Most people had expected Stalin to sign a pact with Britain but he ran out of patience This left the way open for Hitler to invade Poland as a matter of urgency

1 st September Poland Germany invaded Poland on the 1 st September 1939 – staged a polish “invasion” to justify it Chamberlain tried to convene a peace conference but failed 3 rd September – Britain declared war on Germany followed by France Soviets invaded Poland on the 17 th September – Britain and France could do nothing about it