How did the invasion of Poland differ from previous expansionist moves?

The invasion of Poland differed from previous expansionist moves as it marked the start of World War II.

Prior to the invasion of Poland in 1939, the expansionist moves of Nazi Germany were largely unopposed by the major European powers. The annexation of Austria and the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia were achieved through diplomatic means, with the Munich Agreement of 1938 effectively sanctioning Hitler's actions. These moves were characterised by the policy of appeasement, where Britain and France hoped to avoid war by making concessions to Germany.

However, the invasion of Poland marked a significant departure from these previous expansionist moves. It was a direct military action, not cloaked in the guise of diplomatic negotiations or agreements. The invasion was launched without a declaration of war, a blatant violation of international law. It was also the first time that the German military used the Blitzkrieg, or "lightning war", strategy, which involved fast, concentrated attacks intended to quickly overwhelm the enemy.

The invasion of Poland also differed in its scale and its consequences. It was a full-scale military operation, involving over a million German soldiers. The invasion was swift and brutal, with the Polish army quickly overwhelmed by the German forces. The invasion also marked the start of World War II, as Britain and France declared war on Germany in response to the invasion.

Furthermore, the invasion of Poland was also significant in that it marked the beginning of Hitler's plan for Lebensraum, or "living space", for the German people. This involved the systematic extermination of the Polish people and the colonisation of their land by German settlers. This was a far more radical and brutal form of expansionism than Hitler's previous moves.

In conclusion, the invasion of Poland was a significant departure from Hitler's previous expansionist moves. It was a direct, large-scale military action that marked the start of World War II and the beginning of Hitler's plan for Lebensraum.