Ignoring the well-intended actions, peacekeeping was the English and French, Hitler's attack on Poland, starting deep in the country after its successful initial attack.
The ultimatum delivered by the Allies on September 1st demanded that he withdraw, but when Hitler blatantly ignored the request, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and France declared war on Germany on September 3rd.
Even with a declaration of war, both the UK and France were still unwilling to do everything they could to stop Hitler's army, as the memory of World War I was still fresh in their minds.
Their inaction, combined with the Soviet support for Hitler's regime, resulted in Poland's defeat in October 1939.
Aside from seizing German ships and establishing a blockade, Britain and France acted with chiefly defensive strategies.
After aiding the Germans, the Soviets moved through Eastern Europe on their own agenda, seeking to conquer and acquire Baltic states.
Their fights - including a confrontation with Finland - led to the penning of the Moscow Peace Treaty signed on March 12, 1940. This granted the Soviets the ownership of some Finnish land, but also put an end to their attempts to annex Finland.
In April 1940, fought the Germans and the Allies one against others in their first major battle.
The Norwegian Campaign, launched independently by both sides, sought to gain control of valuable Swedish resources including iron ore.
After two months, Germany was victorious in the battle to the land claim, although a significant proportion of their military assets, ships and aircraft were destroyed or have to stay in Norway to keep the German control.
Another faction of the German military invaded France and the Low Countries in May, and again quickly secured a victorious position.
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