As a historian with a focus on World War II, I have a deep understanding of the events that transpired following the invasion of Poland. The invasion marked the beginning of World War II and had profound and far-reaching consequences that shaped the course of history. Here's a detailed account of what happened after the invasion of Poland: **Step 1: The Invasion and Its Immediate Aftermath** The German-Soviet Pact, also known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, signed in August 1939, was a non-aggression treaty that included a secret protocol dividing Eastern Europe into spheres of influence. This agreement effectively gave Hitler the green light to invade Poland without the risk of Soviet opposition. On September 1, 1939, Germany launched a surprise attack on Poland, an event known as the "Blitzkrieg," characterized by rapid, coordinated assaults using air power and mechanized infantry. Within weeks, the Polish forces were overwhelmed. The Soviet Union, adhering to the secret protocol, invaded Poland from the east on September 17, 1939. This two-front assault led to the rapid defeat and occupation of Poland by the end of the month. The German and Soviet forces met at the Brest-Litovsk-Brzesc line, and the partition was formalized in the German-Soviet Frontier Treaty of September 28, 1939. **Step 2: The International Response and the Start of World War II** The invasion of Poland was met with international outrage. On September 3, 1939, after Germany ignored ultimatums to withdraw, Britain and France declared war on Germany, marking the official start of World War II. However, the Western Allies did not immediately launch a major offensive against Germany, a period known as the "Phoney War" or "Sitzkrieg." Step 3: The Occupation and the Holocaust The occupation of Poland was brutal. The Nazis implemented policies of ethnic cleansing and economic exploitation. The Jewish population, which made up a significant portion of Poland's population, was subjected to severe persecution. The Holocaust began in earnest with the establishment of ghettos and later concentration and extermination camps, where millions of Jews, along with other minority groups, were systematically murdered. **Step 4: The Polish Resistance and the Home Army** Despite the harsh conditions, a strong resistance movement emerged in Poland. The Polish government-in-exile was established, and the Home Army (Armia Krajowa), the dominant Polish resistance movement, coordinated efforts to undermine the occupiers. The resistance carried out sabotage, intelligence gathering, and eventually, in 1944, an uprising in Warsaw known as the Warsaw Uprising, which was ultimately crushed by the Germans. **Step 5: The Eastern Front and the Liberation of Poland** Poland was a major battleground during World War II, particularly as the Eastern Front of the conflict saw intense fighting between the Soviet Union and Germany. The tide of the war turned with the Soviet Union's victory at the Battle of Stalingrad, and the subsequent Soviet advance westward. As the Soviets pushed the Germans back, they liberated the concentration camps, including Auschwitz in 1945. **Step 6: The Aftermath and the Yalta Conference** The end of the war in Europe saw Poland liberated but not independent. The Yalta Conference in February 1945, attended by the Allied leaders, decided that Poland would be under the influence of the Soviet Union. This led to the establishment of a pro-Soviet government in Poland, and the country became part of the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War era. **Step 7: Long-Term Impact on Poland and Europe** The invasion of Poland and the subsequent occupation had a profound impact on the country and its people. It led to significant demographic changes, with millions killed or displaced. The economic and social infrastructure of the country was severely damaged, and the political landscape was reshaped by the Soviet Union's dominance. The invasion also marked the beginning of a global conflict that would result in the loss of tens of millions of lives and change the geopolitical landscape of Europe and the world. The legacy of World War II continues to influence international relations and the collective memory of the atrocities committed during this period. read more >>

The German-Soviet Pact of August 1939, which stated that Poland was to be partitioned between the two powers, enabled Germany to attack Poland without the fear of Soviet intervention. On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. The Polish army was defeated within weeks of the invasion.read more >>