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How did World War II begin?

World War II (1939–45) officially began when Nazi (an abbreviation for the National Socialist German Workers's Party) Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Germany had already set the stage for the war, however, by occupying the Rhineland in 1936, annexing Austria in 1938, and invading Czechoslovakia in March 1939. Poland was soon crushed by a German war machine under the command of Chancellor (minister of the state) and Führer (leader) Adolf Hitler (1889–1945). While being attacked by the Nazis from the west, Poland was also threatened by the Soviets from the north and east. The events in the eastern European country would culminate in a worldwide conflict.

After occupying Poland, the Germans moved into Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, and France, taking control as they went. By June 1940 only Great Britain was standing against Germany, which had been...

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1. World War II