Reasons For Invading Poland FP

Question 1

Hitler’s intentions with Third Reich?

Answer 1

He did not anticipate this to trigger war with Britain and France ARGUABLY
Wanted Lebensraum ; after Austria and Czechoslovakia so turned his sights to Poland
Nazi Soviet Pact ; August 1939 - agreed to simultaneously invade and split the spoils - did it 16 days later ; cared more about greater goal of Lebensraum rather than making alliances with inferior countries
Underestimated the Polish Guarantee ; believed they would continue appeasement

Question 2

When they did declare ultimatum and declare war on Germany?

Answer 2

1st September 1939 - Britain and France sent Hitler an ultimatum
3rd September 1939 - Chamberlain announced to the British public that he declared war on Germany

Question 3

Evaluations

Answer 3

Debate how far Hitler truly wanted global conflict ; many thought that he would just fight a small scale war

Question 4

Domestic pressures to invade Poland

Answer 4

Needed new source of raw materials to sustain their 4 year plan
Focus on guns not butter meant living standards declining ; needed war to help compose
Many thought that through lighting war the German population would be United ; short and effective - Nazis did not intend a protracted full scale war in europe

Question 5

Radicalisation of the Nazi Government in 1930s ; pressure

Answer 5

Goering in charge of Luftwaffe and 4 Year Plan ; primed the German economy for war and was a leading figure in Anschluss - Goering concealed shortcomings of 4 year plan to convince Hitler to go to war
Radicalisation of Nazi policies between 1933 and 1939 ; aggression of foreign policy

Question 6

Inability to restrain Hitler and the Nazis?

Answer 6

Consolidation of power meant enabling act etc no one could restrain Nazi’s ambitious and bellicose policies ; Hitler could not be held accountable by any institution