ABSTRACT
On September 1, 1939, Hitler invaded Poland, unleashing a European war that represents the culmination of his military and economic planning since 1933. His goal was the acquisition of Lebensraum, which would free Germany from dependence on foreign trade for the materials it needed to feed its population and fuel its industrial economy. With the exception of a minor nine-day French incursion onto German territory, they made no effort to interfere with the polish campaign. Poland offers rich opportunities for plunder. In September 1940, a new government headed by Prince Konoe Fumimaro pressured the pro-vichy colonial government of French Indochina into allowing Japanese troops to occupy the northern half of the country. Days later, Japan announced that it had concluded an alliance the tripartite pact with Germany and Italy. The purpose of the Tripartite Pact is to keep the United States from interfering in Europe and Asia by threatening Washington with the possibility of a two-ocean war.
