Fact Check: When Hitler invaded Poland, so did Russia. But “Allies” only declared war on Germany

Fact-Check: "When Hitler invaded Poland, so did Russia. But 'Allies' only declared war on Germany"

What We Know

The claim that "When Hitler invaded Poland, so did Russia. But 'Allies' only declared war on Germany" is rooted in historical events that occurred during the onset of World War II. On September 1, 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, marking the beginning of the war in Europe. This invasion was executed under the pretext of a fabricated incident known as the Gleiwitz incident, which was used to justify military action against Poland (Invasion of Poland).

Shortly after Germany's invasion, on September 3, 1939, the United Kingdom and France declared war on Germany, fulfilling their obligations to Poland as allies. However, the military support provided to Poland was minimal and largely ineffective (How Europe Went To War In 1939).

On September 17, 1939, the Soviet Union invaded Poland from the east, following the secret protocols of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which had been signed between Germany and the Soviet Union just days before the German invasion (Eastern Front (World War II)). This agreement effectively divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence between the two powers, allowing for the coordinated invasion of Poland (Invasion of Poland, Fall 1939 | Holocaust Encyclopedia).

The invasion concluded with the division of Polish territory between Germany and the Soviet Union, solidified by the German–Soviet Frontier Treaty (The Invasion of Poland in 1939 - World History Encyclopedia).

Analysis

The evidence supports the claim that both Germany and the Soviet Union invaded Poland in September 1939. The timing of these invasions is critical: Germany attacked from the west on September 1, while the Soviet Union invaded from the east on September 17. This coordinated aggression was a result of prior diplomatic agreements, specifically the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which has been well-documented in historical literature (The Invasion of Poland, How Europe Went To War In 1939).

The declaration of war by the Allies (the United Kingdom and France) was directed solely at Germany, as they were bound by treaties to defend Poland. However, their military response was limited, and they did not engage in significant military operations to assist Poland during the invasion (The Invasion of Poland in 1939: How It Unfolded and Why the Allies Failed to Respond).

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high, as they include reputable historical accounts and encyclopedic entries that are widely accepted in academic circles. The information is corroborated by multiple sources, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the events.

Conclusion

The claim that "When Hitler invaded Poland, so did Russia. But 'Allies' only declared war on Germany" is True. Historical records confirm that both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union invaded Poland in September 1939, with the Allies declaring war only on Germany, reflecting the geopolitical dynamics of the time. The evidence clearly illustrates the coordinated nature of the invasions and the limited response from the Allies.