The Polish Corridor was a strip of territory in the region of Pomerania that Poland was given after World War I to provide the newly independent nation access to the Baltic Sea. This corridor was established by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, which ended the war.
Historical Context
- Creation: After the defeat of the German Empire, the victorious Allied powers decided to reorganize Central and Eastern Europe. As part of this reorganization, the Second Polish Republic was reestablished, and it was deemed necessary to provide Poland with sea access to ensure its economic viability and sovereignty.
- Geographical Details: The corridor extended from the southern part of East Prussia to the Baltic Sea, cutting through the former West Prussia and separating East Prussia from the rest of Germany.
- City of Danzig: While Danzig (modern-day Gdansk) was not officially part of the corridor, it was designated as a Free City under the League of Nations' supervision with special rights for Poland, including access to the port.
Impact and Significance
- Strategic Importance: The corridor was crucial for Poland as it provided the only route to the sea, which was vital for trade and military logistics.
- Ethnic Composition: The area was ethnically mixed with a significant German population, leading to tensions and conflicts over time.
- German Reaction: The creation of the corridor was deeply resented by Germany, which viewed it as a violation of their territorial integrity and a source of national humiliation. This sentiment played a role in the rise of National Socialism and the subsequent events leading to World War II.
End of the Polish Corridor
- World War II: In 1939, Adolf Hitler used the issue of the Polish Corridor as a pretext for the invasion of Poland, which sparked World War II.
- Post-War: After the war, the territorial arrangement was significantly altered. Poland regained substantial territories from Germany, but the corridor, as it was known, ceased to exist in its original form. The city of Danzig became part of Poland and was renamed Gdansk.
Legacy
- The concept of the Polish Corridor remains a point of study in international relations, showcasing how territorial adjustments can lead to long-term geopolitical tensions.
- It also illustrates the complexities of redrawing borders to reflect national self-determination while attempting to maintain regional stability.
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