蘇聯波蘭外交關係研究 (1939-1947)

Abstract

The history of Polish-Russian relations was marked by rivalry, conquest and power play. Generally, Russia’s policy towards Poland revolved on Tsarist expansionism, Soviet security concerns, advancement of socialism; while that of Poland towards Russia centered on the dream of revival of an old empire or Polish supremacy among the Slavic nations. The author investigates primarily the inter-war period, because it precipitated Poland’s re-emergence as independent state in the 20th century, her downfall 20 years later and subordination to the USSR. The Polish-Soviet interwar relations include the following important issues: a) Background - Polish-Lithuanian Empire/ Rise of Muscovy - The Partitions of Poland / Tsarist Empire - WWI aftermath/ 1920 Polish-Soviet War b) Independent Poland / Communist Soviet Union - Poland foreign policy - Soviet diplomacy and Soviet-German collaboration c) WWII - Eastern Poland under Soviet occupation - Western, Polish, Soviet diplomatic overture - Polish communists and war development - Towards a Soviet Satellite The thesis presents in detail the Polish-Soviet relations on the eve, during and the aftermath of WWII, analyzing the circumstances and revealing the motives of the diplomatic moves of both countries and to a certain extent the position of Poland’s Western allies. The mechanism of Soviet hegemony’s encroachments on Poland is also given due attention.