Answer Key for Guided Reading on the Beginning of World War 2

For accurate insights into the series of events that escalated into the global conflict in 1939, it is important to focus on specific dates and actions. The Nazi invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, is widely regarded as the tipping point. On that day, Germany’s aggressive expansion triggered formal declarations of war from both Britain and France.

Pay close attention to the key political maneuvers before the outbreak, particularly the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, signed just days before the invasion. This non-aggression agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union played a crucial role in ensuring the initial success of the German military’s advance into Eastern Europe.

Another notable event is the failure of appeasement strategies by European leaders, which allowed Hitler to gain confidence and push further into neighboring territories. The Munich Agreement, for example, permitted Nazi Germany to annex parts of Czechoslovakia, setting the stage for further hostilities.

Familiarity with the underlying economic and military buildup throughout the 1930s is also important for understanding the conflict’s origins. The global depression and the resultant rise of militaristic regimes in Germany, Italy, and Japan created an environment ripe for war.