Soviet–Polish Non-Aggression Pact

Quick Facts: Who was Soviet–Polish Non-Aggression Pact?

Subject:

Soviet–Polish Non-Aggression Pact

Known for:

A 1932 non-aggression pact between Poland and the Soviet Union, broken in 1939.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Soviet–Polish Non-Aggression Pact (Polish: Polsko-radziecki pakt o nieagresji, Russian: Договор о ненападении между СССР и Польшей, transliterated as Dogovor o nenapadenii mezhdu SSSR i Pol'shey) was a non-aggression pact signed in 1932 by representatives of Poland and the Soviet Union. The pact was unilaterally broken on September 17, 1939, by the Soviet invasion of Poland.

Career & Major Achievements

After the 1919-1921 Polish–Soviet War, the Polish authorities pursued a policy of "equal distance" between Germany and the Soviet Union. Most Polish politicians on both the left and the right believed that Poland should rely mostly on the crucial 1921 Franco-Polish alliance, which dated back to shortly after the First World War, and should support neither Germany nor the Soviet Union.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

To normalize bilateral contacts with the Soviets, talks were started in January 1926 to prepare a non-aggression pact to strengthen the Polish borders that had been established by the 1921 Peace of Riga and to balance it by a similar pact with Germany.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1919: 1919 Milestone — After the 1919-1921 Polish–Soviet War, the Polish authorities pursued a policy of "equal distance" between Germany and the Soviet Union.
2. 1921: 1921 Milestone — Most Polish politicians on both the left and the right believed that Poland should rely mostly on the crucial 1921 Franco-Polish alliance, which dated back to shortly after the First World War, and should support neither Germany nor the Soviet Union.
3. 1926: 1926 Milestone — To normalize bilateral contacts with the Soviets, talks were started in January 1926 to prepare a non-aggression pact to strengthen the Polish borders that had been established by the 1921 Peace of Riga and to balance it by a similar pact with Germany.
4. 1932: 1932 Milestone — The Soviet–Polish Non-Aggression Pact (Polish: Polsko-radziecki pakt o nieagresji, Russian: Договор о ненападении между СССР и Польшей, transliterated as Dogovor o nenapadenii mezhdu SSSR i Pol'shey) was a non-aggression pact signed in 1932 by representatives of Poland and the Soviet Union.
5. 1939: 1939 Milestone — The pact was unilaterally broken on September 17, 1939, by the Soviet invasion of Poland.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Soviet–Polish Non-Aggression Pact

True or False: “True or false: The Soviet–Polish Non-Aggression Pact was designed to permanently secure Poland's borders against all external threats.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The pact was a temporary diplomatic measure intended to stabilize relations, but it failed to prevent the subsequent Soviet invasion in 1939.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Soviet–Polish Non-Aggression Pact