This caused a concern from a British politician’s point of view. Great Britain did not have sufficient arms to go to war. As a result Britains policy of rearmament had sped up dramatically. Great Britain as a result of this policy, guaranteed Poland safety. However this may have been due to the feeling of guilt by the British after the Munich Agreement and their pacifist ignorance towards Czechoslovakia.
In January 1939, Hitler made a speech in which he threatened to destroy the entire Jewish race. This was because the Jewish played the part of the escape goat into Germanys fall at the end of World War 1.
As a result from 1939 onwards, Great Britain had been rearming, and so by 1939/1940 they believed that they had air superiority. Great Britain was keen to build up its R.A.F, as it was feared that the bomb would win them the war. This phobia was due to the horrific images of the destruction the bomb caused in the Spanish civil war.
However due to the massive cost of the rearmament programme, Great Britain had to go to war sooner, rather than later. However this also may have proved to be towards our advantage, as if it was sooner, then Germany may not have had enough time to re-arm.
By 1939, Great Britain’s Dominions were more likely to support Great Britain as they began to perceive the true nature of the German threat. Also although the US were neutral, they followed a policy of Benevolent Neutrality i.e. they would not fight for as, but sell us military equipment.
As 1939 progressed, the public soon realised that war was almost inevitable. This change from extreme pacifist unsettled Hitler, and so did not take Great Britain’s claim to protect Poland seriously.
The Nazi-Soviet pact signed in August 1939 made war even more likely. This pact neutralised the Soviet threat, and so Hitler thought that Great Britain and France could do nothing. Due to this Hitler believed that he had a good claim to West Prussia and Danzig. This was backed-up by the British ambassador, who gave out false details that Great Britain would do nothing until 3rd September 1939. Hitler therefore believed that Chamberlain would propose another ‘Munich Styled’ agreement.
When Hitler invaded Poland on 1st September 1939, World War 2 had started. Great Britain had realised that their Prime Minister had failed, but had gained time to re-arm, which was vital to their survival in 1940.
With hindsight a larger scaled war might have been avoided had Great Britain declared war earlier. However by September 3rd 1939 Great Britain realised that it had no option apart from war, but was better prepared.
