Nazi Germany and Poland

How did Hitler act towards Poland?

Hitler took various actions towards Poland in the 1930s.

Why was Poland a target for Hitler?

There were various reasons why Poland was a potential target for invasion by Hitler's Germany.

• ❖ It was made up of land taken from Germany by the hated Treaty of Versailles.
• ❖ Its territory cut across Germany and divided it in two.
• ❖ Danzig, a city with a German population and run by the League of Nations, was located in Polish territory.
• ❖ Hitler wanted Polish land for Lebensraum.

What actions did Hitler take against Poland?

During the 1930s, Hitler took a number of actions in relation to Poland.

• ❖ In 1934, he signed a ten-year non-aggression pact with Poland.
• ❖ In March 1939, he demanded the return of Danzig.
• ❖ In August 1939, he signed the Nazi-Soviet Pact to prevent Soviet interference in a German invasion of Poland.
• ❖ In September 1939, German forces invaded Poland.