"Remembering the Cruelty"

1. The article relates to the theme of the establishment of authoritarian and single party states, showing the methods Germany used to expand its rule. It explains that Germany directly attacked Poland, rather than dealing with it legally. This shows that Hitler was willing to use force to achieve his goals.
   
2. The article also shows Germany's treatment of religious groups, explaining how it set up death camps in order to "annihilate Europe's Jews."
3. The nature, extent, and treatment of opposition is hinted at when the article mentions that "the blitzkrieg unleashed on Poland launched nearly six years of war that engulfed the world and left more than 50 million people dead."