Back to A Long and Illustrious History
The start of the Second World War (1939)
Study note
Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany in 1933 and built up Germany's armed forces. When Hitler invaded Poland in 1939, Britain and France declared war on Germany. The war was fought between the Axis powers, fascist Germany and Italy and the Empire of Japan, and the Allies, which included the UK, France, Poland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa.
Memory tip: Hitler to power 1933; invades Poland 1939; Britain and France declare war. Axis vs Allies.
Practise this topic
Question 1 of 3
What event in 1939 led Britain and France to declare war on Germany?
Score so far: 0 / 0
Next steps
Go back to A Long and Illustrious History for more topics, try a full mock test, or sit a timed Life in the UK Test exam.