This Week in History: Week 36 (3 September 1939)
Allies Declare War On Nazi Germany
Great Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand declare war on Hitler's Nazi Germany.
In 1939, the Allied Forces of Great Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand responded to Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland by declaring war. Two days before war was declared, German forces had bombed Polish cities and towns, killing and injuring thousands. After the Germans failed to meet a deadline set by The Allies to retreat from Poland, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced on radio: "I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received and consequently this country is at war with Germany." This marked the beginning of World War II.
declare (verb): announce
injure (verb): hurt physically
deadline (noun): the last possible date to get something done
retreat (verb): go back; withdraw
consequently (adverb): as a result
Mini Quiz
1. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain declared war because the Germans
a) had failed to meet the Allies
b) hadn't retreated from Poland
c) hadn't set a deadline in time
bShow answer
2. The Allies set a deadline soon after the Germans had
a) invaded Poland
b) elected Hitler
c) started World War 2
aShow answer
3. If a teacher sets a deadline for the submission of an essay, she expects her students to submit their essays
a) before the deadline
b) around the deadline
c) after the deadline
aShow answer