British and French Guarantees to Poland

After the expansion of German power, the British and French governments declared support for Polish independence. European diplomacy increasingly recognised the danger of another war.

After the expansion of German power, the British and French governments declared support for Polish independence. European diplomacy increasingly recognised the danger of another war.

On 31 March 1939, the British government announced a guarantee of Polish independence; French commitments to Poland were also part of the alliance system.

The declarations marked a change in London's policy after earlier concessions to Germany. At the same time, the guarantees were not a plan for the immediate military defence of Polish territory.

After the German invasion in September 1939, Britain and France declared war on Germany. The March guarantees were an important diplomatic precondition for that decision.

Source: View historical source ↗