2. Hitler’s Polish Gamble

3. The Treaty of Versailles created Poland but this cut Germany into 2 pieces

5. Poland got access to the sea through the port of Danzig. This was administered by The League of Nations.

6. Hitler claimed that Germans in Poland were being unfairly treated Step 4: The invasion of Poland

7. Could Hitler capture Poland without fighting, as he did with Austria and Czechoslovakia?

8. Great Britain changes her position

9. If Germany invades Poland, Great Britain will declare war on the Third Reich.

10. Hitler’s Gamble: Capture Poland before France and GB are able to mobilize their troops

12. On August 23,1939 the world is shocked to learn that Stalin and Hitler had signed a non-aggression pact. This meant if Germany invades Poland the USSR does nothing!

13. Hitler and Stalin both want to regain territories lost after WWI in the Treaty of Versailles.

15. On September 1 1939 Hitler invades Poland. WWII has begun.