The Beginning of World War II
The Attack of Nazi Germany on Poland. On September 1, 1939, Nazi Germany attacked Poland. Two days later, England and France—Poland's allies—declared that they were at war with Germany. Thus began World War II. It arose among the imperialist powers between two of their groupings and had a reactionary, aggressive character. In 1940, Nazi Germany occupied Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and defeated France. In the spring of 1941, fascist troops invaded Yugoslavia and