Erzwungene Neutralität? (Deutsch-)Österreichs Verhältnis zu Polen während des Polnisch-Sowjetischen Krieges 1919–1921

Abstract

The article examines the political as well as economic relations of (Deutsch-) Österreich with Poland during the Polish-Soviet War of 1919–1921. The economic relations of the two newly founded states began as early as November 1918 and were shaped by different needs of Poland and Deutsch-Österreich: While Poland needed weapons for its numerous border conflicts, (Deutsch-)Österreich had a massive supply crisis due to the lack of coal and food. Soon, Austrian countertrade in the form of military equipment from the former Austro-Hungarian Army in exchange for coal and food from Poland led to serious internal and external political conflicts. The article therefore shows not only how Austrian armaments found their way to Poland, but also how Austria pragmatically used its own neutrality before being forced by Soviet Russia to declare neutrality in the Polish-Soviet War. Finally, the article presents the contemporary perception of the Polish-Soviet War in Austria as an integral part of the “Greater War” that has been ongoing since 1914.