Which was the first country (& when) to be invavded by Germany in the build up to World War 2 - need refs plse

Answer 1

There are many sources of this information but it depends on how you class an invasion, as a history student i would disagree with poland as the answer here and look further back for thhis answer. At the end of the first world war the Armistices signed (the treaty of versilles) gave France a portoin of germany known as the rhineland ( was this an invasion or was germany merley repossing their own land ?) after that through the "Anschluss" of 1938 hitler then annexed austria to take control of that country (german troops where welcomed) he then set about Czechosloviakia by occupying the Sudetenland, the Czeck people where given no say in this and briatian and france stood by, this incident led to the famous chamberlain momment of returning from munich after negociating someone elses country falling in to german hands !. Five months later germany occupied the remaing area of Czechosloviakia, so technically invading them

Answer 2

Germany technically committed 3 "invasions" prior to Poland in 1939. In this context I'm calling an invasion a movement of German troops into an area where they were not supposed to be, or into a foreign country, even if no combat took place.

They first invaded the Rhineland in 1936, basically invading themselves. The Rhineland was the buffer zone between Germany and France required by the Treaty of Versailles. The area had been administered by the League of Nations until 1935, and had just been returned to Germany, and was supposed to stay demilitarized. By putting troops back in the area, Germany upped the provocations that would lead to war 3 years later.

The next big act was the "Anschluss", the invasion of Austria on 12 March 1938. There were few, if any, casualties in the attack. Many Austrians welcomed the Germans with open arms, even those Austrians who were not Nazis.

The final act was the invasion of Czechoslovakia. First, England & France basically gave the Sudetenland, which was a mostly Germanic part of Czechoslovakia nearest Germany, to Hitler without a fight in 1938. Remember "Peace for our time"? Germany then occupied the rest of Czechoslovakia in 1939, again, with virtually no casualties.

Germany & Italy also provided equipment, planes, and pilots for use by Facist forces in the Spanish Civil War from 1936-1939, but this wasn't really an invasion by Germany.

Answer 3

This is not an easy question. I am at work now so I cannot give you any references. True, Poland was the last draw which resulted in the world war but there were some quite important developments before the start. Check when did Germany force the Czechoslovakia to let go of a part of its territory. ... A lot was happening during 1930 to 1939 which led to WW2.

A footnote: Austria was not invaded. The event is called Anschluss. Austrians wanted to be a part of Germany after their old empire collapsed.

Answer 4

The main point which led to the war starting though was the invasion of Poland 1st September 1939. Britain and France declared war on Germany the day after.

There was also the takeovers of Austria and Czechoslovakia in 1938, but I don't think these were classed as invasions as the Austrians held a party, and Hindenburg surrendered without shots being fired after the Sudaten Crisis.

Answer 5

Even though Japan had been fighting in China since 1937, the conventional view is that the war began on September 1, 1939, when Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Within two days the United Kingdom and France declared war on Germany, even though the fighting was confined to Poland. Pursuant to a then-secret provision of its non-aggression Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, the Soviet Union joined with Germany on September 17, 1939, to conquer Poland and to divide Central Europe.


VIA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ww2

Answer 6

Poland 1939

Answer 7

Poland 1939

Answer 8

The first was actually a de-militarised buffer area called the Sudentenland in 1937, followed by Austria (which they Annexed) and Czecholsovakia in 1938. Poland was the final straw in 1939 and they were allied by treaty to Britain and France.

Then they invaded France Belgium and Holland.

Answer 9

Austria 1938, but they were welcomed on the streets with waving crowds.

We didn't react until they invaded Poland Sep 1939.

But Austria was first.
The book, Chronicle of the 20th century is excellent.

Answer 10

Poland, Sep 1, 1939