MIGRATION PROCESSES IN POLAND’S FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC POLICY IN THE 1930S AND 1940S

Abstract

The article examines in detail the diplomatic relations of the Second Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth with the USSR and Germany, the desire of its rulers to join the ranks of a regional power, the prerequisites for such political decisions, the reasons for rejecting the alliance with the Soviet Union and  rapprochement with Germany, as well as the influence of leading countries such as England and France on Poland. As a result of these events, the article assesses the consequences of mass migrations, the increase in the number of refugees, and the use of deportations as a political tool during this time. The aim of this article is to examine the national and migration policies of the Second Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, its relations with leading countries, and the political reasons behind the division of Poland. Additionally, it is essential to understand the ethnic and demographic policies of the USSR, Poland, and the Third Reich. To achieve this goal, the works of Kazakh and Western scholars, as well as those of Soviet and post-Soviet researchers have been analyzed. The focus of the article is to examine the policies of Jozef Pilsudski and Jozef Beck, assessing the agreements between the Polish government and other countries. Methods of comparative analysis, synthesis, and historical research were used.

In conclusion, it is noteworthy that the collapse of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth led to migration in Eastern Europe, causing interethnic tensions. To address these issues, governments implemented a deportation policy. This event significantly altered the political and demographic landscape of Europe.