The Guarantee for Poland and the War
History: Cambridge International GCSE The Twentieth Century (Option B), topic 3.5.1
The Guarantee for Poland and the Declaration of War
Britain and France promised to defend Poland in 1939, leading to their declaration of war on Germany after its invasion of Poland. This action marked WWII's start.
Britain and France agreements
- Britain and France signed agreements to protect Poland from German attack.
- Britain made its guarantee on 31 March 1939.
- France followed with a similar promise on 6 April 1939.
- These guarantees aimed to deter Germany from invading Poland.
Reasons for the guarantees
- Britain wanted to stop German expansion after Czechoslovakia's fall.
- France feared losing an ally against Germany.
- Britain and France hoped the guarantees would keep peace by warning Germany.
- Poland relied on these guarantees to resist German threats.
German invasion of Poland
- Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939.
- The invasion used fast-moving tanks and aircraft, called Blitzkrieg.
- Poland faced attack from the west by Germany and from the east by the Soviet Union.
- Poland could not fight both enemies alone.
Britain and France declare war
- Britain declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939.
- France declared war the same day.
- These declarations followed Germany's refusal to withdraw from Poland.
- The declarations marked the official start of the Second World War.
Consequences of the guarantees
- Britain and France's war declaration showed they kept their promises to Poland.
- The war ended appeasement policies tried earlier.
- The guarantees pushed Britain and France into full conflict with Germany.
- Poland suffered invasion but gained international support in war.
Test yourself on The Guarantee for Poland and the War
What triggered Britain and France to declare war on Germany?
Why did Britain issue the guarantee to Poland on 31 March 1939?