Who was taken by surprise when Britain and France declared war?

The correct answer indicates that Hitler was taken by surprise when Britain and France declared war. This is aligned with historical accounts of the events leading up to World War II.

In the late 1930s, while Germany was aggressively expanding its territory and influence in Europe, particularly after the invasion of Poland in September 1939, Hitler underestimated the resolve of Britain and France in responding to his actions. He believed that their declarations of war would be more bluster than serious engagement, thinking they would avoid conflict due to the catastrophic memories of World War I.

Many historians suggest that Hitler assumed Britain and France would negotiate rather than fight, viewing their immediate military response as unexpected. This miscalculation contributed to the escalation of the conflict, leading to a wider war than he anticipated. The surprise also stemmed from his belief that the Western powers were weak and unwilling to risk a confrontation, which directly contrasts with their actions following the invasion of Poland.

The context around the other individuals listed illustrates their positions differently. For example, Stalin, who had a non-aggression pact with Hitler, was somewhat aware of the dynamics but occupied with his own strategies. Mussolini, while aligned with Hitler's Axis powers, was more opportunistic and not directly involved in the immediate