To compare the situations leading up to the invasions of China and Poland, we can evaluate the validity of each response option:
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Japan and Germany invaded other countries before invading China and Poland.
- This statement is accurate. Japan's expansionist activities in Asia, including invasions in Manchuria and other parts of China, occurred prior to the full-scale invasion of China in 1937. Germany, under Nazi rule, had also aggressively invaded neighboring countries (like Austria and Czechoslovakia) before the invasion of Poland in 1939.
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Japan and Germany were at war with China and Poland.
- This statement is misleading. Prior to the invasions, while Japan was already engaged in military actions in China, the full war with China escalated with the 1937 invasion. For Poland, significant tensions existed, but Germany’s invasion in 1939 marked the beginning of the war rather than an ongoing conflict.
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China and Poland were prepared to fight their invaders.
- This statement contains elements of truth. China had been resisting Japanese expansion and had a history of conflict, including the Second Sino-Japanese War. Poland, however, was caught off guard and had limited military resources to effectively counter Germany's invasion in September 1939.
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China and Poland received foreign aid against potential invasion.
- This statement is partially true. China did receive some military and financial assistance from foreign nations (such as the U.S. and USSR) during their struggle against Japan, but the level of support was inconsistent. In contrast, Poland received little to no effective foreign aid when it was invaded by Germany, despite promises of support from France and the UK.
In summary, the first statement about previous invasions is the most relevant for comparing the situations. Each response highlights different aspects of the context surrounding the invasions but varies in accuracy regarding the preparation and aid received by Poland and China.