The 'dissolution' of Poland is 1939 is far more complex than it is usually presented. Poland as a nation state did not exist since the post-Napoleonic era, modern Poland being divided between Russia, Prussia and Austro-Hungary. Poland reconstituted itself as a state in the aftermath of the First World War and expanded its borders westwar…
The 'dissolution' of Poland is 1939 is far more complex than it is usually presented. Poland as a nation state did not exist since the post-Napoleonic era, modern Poland being divided between Russia, Prussia and Austro-Hungary. Poland reconstituted itself as a state in the aftermath of the First World War and expanded its borders westward by being assigned the German states of Pomerania and Silesia in the Versailles Treaty, something Germany never reconciled itself to. In the east, Poland secured by conquest a large part of Byelorussia in the Soviet-Polish war, along with parts of Ukraine and Lithuania. In 1938 Poland attacked and seized Czech territory during the Czech Crisis. None of Poland's neighbours - Germany, the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia were reconciled to these losses and all were looking for an opportunity to reclaim what they all believed was theirs (of course we can debate endlessly whether anyone in this competition had a "right" to any particular territory). As part of the non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939, both sides agreed they had 'spheres of interest' in the west and east of Poland respectively and neither party would interfere in those interests. This was a fairly normal and uncontroversial point in the treaty. Both Germany and the Soviets expected some adjustment of borders with Poland at some point, preferably through negotiation, but Germany was prepared to use force.
The Soviets did not conspire to invade Poland with Germany in September 1939. They observed - with some alarm - the collapse of the Polish army and the subsequent collapse and flight of the Polish government. It appeared that Germany would take all of Poland in one fell swoop, bringing the two countries into direct contact. The Soviets only mobilized their western armies when it became apparent that the Germans were entering the Soviet 'sphere of interest' in eastern Poland (formerly the western districts of Byelorussia conquered by the Poles in 1924). The Soviets entered eastern Poland to fill the void left by the retreating Polish army, largely without fighting. The Poles were allowed to retire towards Romania. German forces - keen not to start a war with the Soviets (yet) - stopped their advance and retired to the agreed Bug River 'border.'
The 'dissolution' of Poland is 1939 is far more complex than it is usually presented. Poland as a nation state did not exist since the post-Napoleonic era, modern Poland being divided between Russia, Prussia and Austro-Hungary. Poland reconstituted itself as a state in the aftermath of the First World War and expanded its borders westward by being assigned the German states of Pomerania and Silesia in the Versailles Treaty, something Germany never reconciled itself to. In the east, Poland secured by conquest a large part of Byelorussia in the Soviet-Polish war, along with parts of Ukraine and Lithuania. In 1938 Poland attacked and seized Czech territory during the Czech Crisis. None of Poland's neighbours - Germany, the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia were reconciled to these losses and all were looking for an opportunity to reclaim what they all believed was theirs (of course we can debate endlessly whether anyone in this competition had a "right" to any particular territory). As part of the non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939, both sides agreed they had 'spheres of interest' in the west and east of Poland respectively and neither party would interfere in those interests. This was a fairly normal and uncontroversial point in the treaty. Both Germany and the Soviets expected some adjustment of borders with Poland at some point, preferably through negotiation, but Germany was prepared to use force.
The Soviets did not conspire to invade Poland with Germany in September 1939. They observed - with some alarm - the collapse of the Polish army and the subsequent collapse and flight of the Polish government. It appeared that Germany would take all of Poland in one fell swoop, bringing the two countries into direct contact. The Soviets only mobilized their western armies when it became apparent that the Germans were entering the Soviet 'sphere of interest' in eastern Poland (formerly the western districts of Byelorussia conquered by the Poles in 1924). The Soviets entered eastern Poland to fill the void left by the retreating Polish army, largely without fighting. The Poles were allowed to retire towards Romania. German forces - keen not to start a war with the Soviets (yet) - stopped their advance and retired to the agreed Bug River 'border.'
https://stolzuntermenschen.substack.com/p/falstificators-of-history-part-2