Did Poland bring on her own Destruction in 1939 because of her Aggressive Foreign Policy?

The traditional western narrative suggests that Poland was beset on both sides by two aggressive powers. Whereas, two other narratives (including the Soviet one, which Vladimir Putin champions) attempt to claim that Poland's aggressive foreign policy resulted in her own destruction. In today's question, I'm going to explain why the traditional western narrative makes more sense than the other two. Thanks to Rene Malmgren for today's question!

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📚 BIBLIOGRAPHY / SOURCES 📚

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📽️ RELATED VIDEO LINKS 📽️

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ABOUT TIK 📝

History isn’t as boring as some people think, and my goal is to get people talking about it. I also want to dispel the myths and distortions that ruin our perception of the past by asking a simple question - “But is this really the case?”. I have a 2:1 Degree in History and a passion for early 20th Century conflicts (mainly WW2). I’m therefore approaching this like I would an academic essay. Lots of sources, quotes, references and so on. Only the truth will do.

This video is discussing events or concepts that are academic, educational and historical in nature. This video is for informational purposes and was created so we may better understand the past and learn from the mistakes others have made.

[TheImperatorKnight]

Some notes -

The reference at 19:47 wasn’t actually the full reference because I couldn’t fit it all in the reference box. Here’s the full reference -

Courtois, Werth, Panne, Paczkowski, Bartosek, Margolin, "The Black Book of Communism, " P71-126.
Engelstein, “Russia in Flames, ” P560.
Gellately, “Lenin, Stalin and Hitler, ” P63, P65, P72, P75.
Marx, & Engels, "Manifesto of the Communist Party, " P67.
Zamoyski, A. "Warsaw 1920: Lenin's Failed Conquest of Europe." Harper Press, 2008. (all of it)

The FULL list of sources is available in the description.

In case you didn’t see last week’s pinned comment - the editing for next Season of Stalingrad is currently underway. My current target for the release of episode 16 is the 23rd of November 2020. (Turns out that aiming for next Monday was a bit too ambitious.)

Next week’s video will probably be about General Patton…

[AFGuidesHD]

"Why didn't Poland just ally with the commies" has the same answer as to "Why didn't Poland ally with Germany against the commies".

[hoomanpolitics]

I'm an Iranian, listening to the channel of a British guy who is answering the question of a Czeck who lives in Sweden, about Poland based on the comments of the Russian president.

[PaleoCon]

Poland literally had no good options in 1939. The UK and France offered meaningless guarantees but Poland did not seem to realize that as the conflict boiled over into war.

[jovanlipovatz]

Just watched the Tucker Carlson interview where Putin repeats this claim (very early on in the interview).

[krzysztofiwan]

"Your Galactic Majesty, I have successfully infiltrated human society and prepared plans for invasion of Earth. We must attack Poland first."
"Why Poland?"
"Invading Poland is a sacred tradition over there."

[ashcarrier]

I wonder if Putin would describe Finland as aggressive in 1939...

[etbellav]

I'm surprised at the lack of reference to the Soviet - Polish war in 1920, as a proximate cause to why Poland was repulsed by the idea of an alliance with the Soviet Union, in the years leading up to WWII. Love the video overall, and everything you do, keep it up as long as you're able

[mikedicewrites]

Putin: Claims Poland started the war
Also Putin: Starts a war

[warrenlehmkuhleii]

“This question has probably annoyed most of the world... which is fantastic.”
TIK: Some men just want to watch the world burn.

[Zajuts]

<Poland: *Exists*
<Russia and Germany: "You brought this upon yourself!"

[bergssprangare]

Stalin, the murderous narcissist, could never forgive that his army where he was officer was defeated by the Poles 1920 and Lenins dream to reach France was halted...Stalin had to run in full panic from the attacking Poles..AS often, he got his revenge..

[paulmarchlewski]

My late Polish father, who was born in the same city, Bromberg, as the german Fw 190 designer Kurt Tank, but grew up in the same city, Bydgoszc, in the 20's, told me that the Poles feared both Germany and Russia, but that they respected Germany but Despised Russia.

[jamesbeeching]

Also Stalin was looking for old pals in the 1st Cavalry Army had been humiliated by the Poles in the Battle of Warsaw in 1920 and wanted to regain the territory lost to the Poles!

[richardcutts]

There's plenty of blame to spread around. The only thing I can say about Poland not wanting Soviet forces crossing their border, on their way to fight the Germans, is that the Poles and Soviets fought a war against each other less than 20 years previously.

[ZESAUCEBOSS]

I have been sending this video to EVERYONE who talks about the Putin-Carlson interview. I think this is highly relevant to that event.

[TheCursedHonestTruth]

Love your videos TIK, old man! You know how to make everything incredibly interesting, and your background research is awesome! The humor, the intrigue, cool graphics thrown-in, your unique perspectives! (and damn the naysayers!-lol) … the twists & turns, … history comes to life through you, man, it’s just that simple. And your delivery, your clear and precise enunciation is always easy to understand. Your programs are always interesting and fun to watch! Good on you, and keep doing it so well! We appreciate it!

[jackobrien]

Soviets and Nazis at Poland: "they're comin' right for us!"

[Zygsville]

The Czech-Polish dispute was the result of crass stupidity and lack of statesmanship on both sides. The Czechoslovak army seized the area in 1919 while the Poles were fighting desperately elsewhere and Poland's leaders (showing a similar lack of judgement and statesmanship) paid them back in 1938 in the Czechs' moment of weakness. All tragic and unnecessary. I think it was Woodrow Wilson who said: "And so two nations that should have been friends and allies became embittered enemies".
And the resentments still linger. Very sad.

[gerulais]

As a note for 19:20 I must say that actually the Soviet Union infiltrated Basarabia, the territory that Romania got through the Treaty of Versailles. There were actual communist troops sent by the Soviet Union to sabotage and the Romanian Army actually fought the Soviets there. This actually supports the fact that the Romanian-Polish alliance was a defensive one because of the past aggression of the Soviet Union.