Germany easily defeats Poland with superior forces and officers; causes Britain and France to declare war on Germany, starting WWII.

Germany easily defeats Poland with superior forces and officers; causes Britain and France to declare war on Germany, starting WWII.

• A. Invasion of Poland
• B. Poland's defense
• C. German invasion of Poland
• D. Blitzkrieg in Poland

Answer: (C)

The event being tested is identifying what directly triggered the start of World War II: the German invasion of Poland. This act on September 1, 1939 violated Poland’s sovereignty and prompted Britain and France to declare war in response to their commitments to Poland. Saying the German invasion of Poland is precise because it names both the aggressor and the action that set off the cascade leading to war. The other phrasings describe either the method (Blitzkrieg), or misattribute agency (Poland’s defense), or stay too vague about who invaded, which doesn’t pinpoint the decisive catalyst. So the German invasion of Poland is the clear, correct description of what started the conflict.

The event being tested is identifying what directly triggered the start of World War II: the German invasion of Poland. This act on September 1, 1939 violated Poland’s sovereignty and prompted Britain and France to declare war in response to their commitments to Poland. Saying the German invasion of Poland is precise because it names both the aggressor and the action that set off the cascade leading to war. The other phrasings describe either the method (Blitzkrieg), or misattribute agency (Poland’s defense), or stay too vague about who invaded, which doesn’t pinpoint the decisive catalyst. So the German invasion of Poland is the clear, correct description of what started the conflict.