The Second World War: Hitler and the start of the war

Study note

Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany in 1933 and led an aggressive expansion of German territory. The event that finally led to war was Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939. In response, Britain and France declared war on Germany, and so the Second World War began. It was the invasion of Poland, not the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Britain or the fall of France, that triggered these declarations of war.

Britain fought as one of the Allies during the Second World War. The opposing side was made up of the Axis powers, the main ones being Germany, Italy and Japan. So when Germany, Italy and Japan are mentioned together, remember they were the Axis powers, not the Allies, the Central Powers or the Commonwealth. Remember Hitler coming to power in 1933 and Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939 that led Britain and France to declare war.

Memory tip: Hitler to power 1933; Germany invades Poland 1939 -> Britain and France declare war.