Who were Britain in war with in World War 2 and why?

Answer 1

Britain was at war with Germany because Germany tried to invade Britain.

- This isn't the reason. Britain Poland and France signed a pact in August 1939 whereby Britain and France would support Poland should they be attacked by another European power. This was as a result of Czechoslovakia being annexed by Hitler in March of 1939.

Hitler did indeed attack Poland and Britain declared war on Germany, as they had done at the start of the first world war.

The assumption is that Germany attacked first, this was never the case. Britain also started the bombing of Civilian Targets where Germany was concentrating it's efforts on Aerodromes, shipping and Ports. It is often argued this was one of the pivotal issues. The bombing of German cities, caused Hitler to switch to British cities, giving the RAF breathing room to regroup.

Hitlers invasion plans were shelved when Germany failed to destroy the RAF and he was always mindful that without control of the Air, Britain was master of the seas, so an amphibious assault was never going to be viable. Hitler made several attempts to seek peace with Britain, including sending Rudolf Hess to meet with Churchill. Hess was interned for the duration of the War, and after the Nuremberg trials remained a prisoner in Spandau Prison, Berlin, until his death in 1987. The Russians refused to release Hess, and he was the last remaining War criminal in captivity in Spandau.

Answer 2

Britain was at war with Germany in World War 2. The war was triggered by Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939, which violated international agreements. Britain, along with its allies, declared war on Germany in order to defend the principles of democracy, sovereignty, and international order that were being threatened by Nazi aggression.