Why did Germany remake Poland in World War One? (Short Animated Documentary)

During the First World War Germany (and Austria-Hungary) recreated the state of Poland. But given that they'd helped Russia to destroy the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth a century earlier, why did they do this? To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary.
A Special thanks to my Patreon supporters below:
Jens Koch-Nommensen
Øystein Alsaker
Arcedia
Sergio M. Vela
Myller
MajesticFirebird
Harley Raptopoulos
George Kapoyanis
Steven B
robert lalonde
Gin Aldeguer
CharÉTS
Dennis Vandeban
Mathias.C
Brendan W
Ethan
Heath Robertson
Michael Kram
Southside Mitch
Justin Kubusch
John
Leonard Frank
Cippalippus
ChrisRom
Aaron Conaway
Christopher Godfrey
Sean Uzar
Alex Teplyakov
Steven Gibson
Travis Mount
Nathan Mendelsohn
Dr. Schtnizel
zockotron
Ron Johnson
Matthew Toles
Jesse Plung
Chach
Zachary Pascalar
Joe DeVito
Jacob Zachs
Jason Vandeventer
mgnesium.poetry
Matt Reed
No way
Leena Al-Souki
Joseph Reinsch
Valentyn
Anthony McCann
William Yates
Cade Summers
Colm Byrne
Clay Carroll
BattleGoat Studios
ZCoupon
Jonny Minogue
Yared Cristiano
Ian Smith
BenDrums24
Tristan Kreller
Ken Fitzgerald
Joell Bel
James R DeVries
Wolf
Alex G.
Jamie van Brewen
Aeryn and Lisa Toland
Hunter Bayliss
JT96
Mik Scheper
Tino
Sean Long
Bobby Koys
Shauna K
Jane Sumpter
Steve Schroeder
Joshua Schneider
Tyler Bomkamp
Tony Belmonte
Tranier Bocaj
Nick Macarius
Angel Aguiñaga
Nolan Peale
Garrett Manarin
Scriptmonkeys
Duke
Nicholas Menghini
Chris PeBenito
Hapalochlaena Lunulata
Duane Bridges
Templar366
Ted Parsons
Tim Stone
C. C. C.
Yosef Waysman
Windischgraetz
Warren Rudkin
Bartosz Zasada
Hexapuma
Matthew Ward
Juan Castillo
Johann_Gambolputty_of_Ulm
ARandomPaperClip
Justin Short
Tim Stumbaugh
Ethan Harlow
Burt Clothier
George Caponera
Geoffrey Sparrow
erez87
Ned Burke
Donald Weaver
Robin!
Tim Sweeney
Moraxian
Beth Resta
Robert Meehan
LambOfLeg
David Spellmeyer
Paul Munro
Juan Benet
Kevin Phoenix
Mars Project
Mark Littlehale
SirAlpaka
Charles Kwiatkowski
Zachary Oertel
Jack Beckman
Peter Hopkins
Harrison Wiener
Roko Lisica
Will Sullivan
Brian Giordano
John Gross-Whitaker
Oriki
Jewzillamaui
Philip Yip
John Orr
Nathan Snyder
Andreas Mosand
Sean D.
Andrew F
blaZzinG_FurY
Andrew Patane
ixs
David Hilbert's Entscheidungsproblem
tegsirat
The Funks
Erik Hare
Jack Nelson
Mario Mejia
Alexandre Corbett
khaki enthusiast
alexccg
Ciege Engine
Thomas McGraw
george tyler
Magdalena Reinberg-Leibel
Matthew O'Connor
Ben Jambor
Joseph Hutchins
Mr.Myoozik
Joel Wasserman
Carr Nyuli
Rosebird
Remko Huisman
Patty Culp
Vegard Tønnessen
Richard Wolfe
Jakester1238
Matt Busch
Nicolas Dronsky
Syagrius Beans
nullptr
Ruben Rodriguez
Matthew Venuti
James
Jon Wright
William Clark
Andrew Sever
I'm Not In The Description
Steve Bonds
Bort Ward
Nathan Ngumi
Dustin Koellhoffer
Mark Ploegstra
T. c. north
Sara Birnbaum
Eric Askins
Joshportunities
Kaiserrin
Dr. Sarno
Mario Peshev
Nuukov
Dr. Dana L. Pertermann
Jonathan Niehaus
Colin Cecil
Tactical_Jackal
Adrian Marine
D. Mahlik
Vance Christiaanse
Contdoko12
Chris Weisel
Allen Rines
Tom Ebert
Dullis
Peter Marino
Liquid Chief
Darth Zayexeet
Bradley Backoff
William Adderholdt
Konstantin Bredyuk
Spencer DeRosier
Jeff Sharon
A. J. Smart
Adam Probert
Serius_Loyola
HelloAgain
Bren Ehnebuske
SketerK
Carl Blanton
ThePalestRose
bas mensink
Rob Rollins
Jasmin Vikk
Tyler Jenkins
Tortle!
Samantha McCormick
Anthony Uk
Hiro P
Melissa Prober
WolfiZee
Sethars
Ian M
Joseph Kerckhoff
Doug MacLean
Heytun
Swanfleet
Jasdeep Brar
Ted Ingram
Thomas Wang
Shakira
Isabel Harrison
Ali Sadighian
Charles Doolittle
Miky Hidalgo Morriss
Seth Reeves
Robert Brockway
Shannon Cartee
YugiJitsu Games
Hidamarisou - Webnovel translations
Jeremy Hernandez
Tom of Essex
Tommi Hewitt
blei95
Robin_Col
Lindorien
João Santos
Kameohawk
Typhoon2401
Russell Downing
Jan Bart Verbist
Kasi
M Scho
Schwarzer Hai
Jordan Russell
Hazzard
James Chisnall
Jackarice26
zemnmez
James
Rhys Jackson
Ben L
Tarsirrus
Ash Elford
Rhys Little
Twinny Hill
Phil Johnston

[@FilmSkylar]

They restored Poland because they quote "felt like it".

[@regabrielexv]

"Felt cute, might conquer it later"

[@BOZ_11]

He clearly said that Russia and Germany wanted a smaller border between them. The same exact reason Mongolia has as much land as it does (keeps the Russian/Chinese border to its present minimum)

[@FilmSkylar]

missed the joke

[@The_whales]

What could possibly go wrong? -famous last words until mid 1918

[@suhnih4076]

Heh

[@danasadomaitis2149]

Germany restored Poland in WW1, so they could invade it in WW2. Very clever move.

[@BartlomiejDmowski]

Made my day. I'm going to use it whenever some German "patriot" mumbles how Germany is so terrible now and it's all our fault

[@PatRodak]

Masterful gambit sir

[@democraticrepublicofsprout7263]

Germany made the Soviet Union so that the Nazis would have to fight a front in the East. Big brain moves

[@suhnih4076]

Lol oof

[@NIDELLANEUM]

Amusing, I thought "I wonder how many comments do I have to scroll down before someone makes a joke about them invading Poland in WW2" Didn't even have to scroll

[@ElladanKenet]

Germany: We want a Poland Germany 20 years later: We want a Poland. Again. Only this time it's actually ours. Poland: ...

[@EEEEEEEE]

E‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎

[@marcromain64]

By the way, Germany vehemently supported Poland's accession to the EU. That was also 20 years ago now. You know what that means... /s

[@AFGuidesHD]

You could say German-Polish relations were complicated. Funny moustache man actually wanted them as an ally. But completely fumbled his diplomacy playthrough by not inviting Poland to the Munich conference.

[@AnimeSunglasses]

1944: Russia: "now WE want a Poland of our own!" Poles: "..."

[@crafterrium8724]

@@AFGuidesHD bro bought 1 million subs lmaoo what a loser, also that's just dead wrong germany wanted danzig from the start

[@pavarottiaardvark3431]

The green in the Polish flag represents unchanging borders. The blue represents reliable allies.

[@marcromain64]

I see what you did there.

[@LMB222]

Jesus Christ of the colour palette, couldn't you have chosen a better pair? 😜

[@sbiebaut7289]

And the purple in the Polish flag its competent governments and leaders

[@martinfiedler4317]

You are writing nonsense, the Polish flag does not contain.... OOOOOOOOOOH

[@ell3655]

But there’s no green or blue on the Polish flag? I think?

[@Elongated_Muskrat]

Germany wanted a cute little buddy buffer state that they could eat when it grew up and stopped being cute.

[@mingau993]

me when the state I created to separate me from russia refuses to hand me danzig

[@ecurewitz]

So, a livestock buffer state

[@timmccarthy9917]

In urban planning this is known as "extra-territorial jurisdiction", land banked for a future annexation.

[@sciencefliestothemoon2305]

but later adding Galicia would make a rather less little buddy buffer state...

[@AdvancedGamer-]

@@mingau993💀💀

[@idk-fw1pc]

Rare moment of historical Germany wanting Poland to exist.

[@mixererunio1757]

Moments when Poland wanted Germany to exist are even rarer. Nonexistent even.

[@amadiohastruck4331]

​@mixererunio1757Shhhh, they might call you a fashy

[@edwinhuang9244]

*Poland would not be fully independent of Germany

[@rangar6853]

Rare moment of historical Germany when forgoten why Poland shouldn't exist in first place*

[@sthgamer_]

Trololo

[@GeorgeP1066]

Germany in 1916: We want Poland on the map of Europe! Germany in 1939: Not that much Poland...

[@plrc4593]

*1939.

[@Cyricist001]

No, the painter was the first German leader who accepted Polish borders and anted an alliance against the USSR, this only stopped when Poland was guaranteed by France and Britain against Germany.

[@extrage3061]

@@Cyricist001 Where did you learn history bro.. Also it makes no sense, Germany attacked Poland because it was guratanteed by France and Britain? Actually Britain and France guaranteed the independance of Poland after the war had started and joined the Poles much later.

[@Cyricist001]

@@extrage3061 .... so by your logic, why did France and Britain declare war on Germany if Germany attacked Poland before any guarantees were given to it? What happened is that Britaina and France gave their guarantees in march and the war started in september of the same year. Meaning that your entire comment is wrong.

[@3st3st77]

@@Cyricist001 Need I remind you that we are talking about the same guy who wanted to form a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union guaranteeing their sphere of influence in Europe? And who claimed that he would only occupy German-speaking parts of Czechoslovakia and would forever stop expanding afterwards? He was not the most reliable person when it came to promises.

[@nickmacarius3012]

It is a well known fact that a strong empire survives on a healthy diet of Poland.

[@gerwaltspodnovigradu5508]

Yeah, especially russians who were fighting against countless Polish rebelions destabilizating their already pretty divided country

[@Comrade-Mostafa]

😂😂😂...truly smart bro🎉🎉🎉

[@Lucasrocha-pl1ll]

​@@gerwaltspodnovigradu5508well the russian empire wasnt a strong empire about that time

[@gerwaltspodnovigradu5508]

@@Lucasrocha-pl1ll well austrians weren't either, but russians were stronger than austrians and literally only other strong country there was germany

[@dtikvxcdgjbv7975]

Well, it is all the Sejm. 😂

[@krystina662]

What is very interesting (and goes unnoticed) is that for centuries Polish - German (HRE) border was probably the most peaceful land border of Poland

[@Osterochse]

yes, that is practically unknown to many people. The borders practically never shifted for 350 years until the division of Poland and when they did it happened usually in a more peaceful way. Poland was even in personal union with saxony for 66 years.

[@somewhereelse1235]

@@szabuowski8677The majority of those happened after the dissolution of the HRE. And while yes there were polish uprisings, those were also AFTER the first two partitions of Poland, when the Border had finally started to move after the ~350 years of peace.

[@tutentyp6934]

Even better. Catholocism, a pillar of polish identity, got it's way into the kingdom with significant german support.

[@tutentyp6934]

If we ignore the czech-polish wars which brought silesia into the HRE with subsequent german settlement/influence, then yea you're right.

[@Osterochse]

@@szabuowski8677maybe I should have added the words "until the division of Poland". that was my bad. I was majorly referring to the times until 1772. They didn't shift a lot between 1385 and 1772.

[@karolklepek-lm7dz]

It's often overlooked how WW1 was technically a civil war for Poland. Although it technically didn't exist, there were Poles both on the side of the Central Powers and the Entente fighting each other.

[@Tudor_Rusan]

This was the case for Romanians as well, and Austria-Hungary made significant efforts to make sure none of the ethnic Romanians drafted from Transylvania actually fought in the region.

[@ryangosling9275]

Instead of civil war, it was more like a bets, who would win WWI and grant Poland independence for your sacrifice

[@mixererunio1757]

Yes, that is extremely sad and overlooked time in Polish history. More Poles died fighting in WW1, than in WW2 (in actual battles). And you need to combine that with the rest of civilian deaths, occupation, famine and spanish flu after the war.

[@kingace6186]

Damn. I never thought about it that way. Which make sense why the Soviets and Nazis invading Independent Poland is what officially triggered World War 2.

[@KonradofKrakow]

I have heard that some Polish unitis realising they are facing other Polish units would secretly agree to shoot in the air to avoid harming eachother.

[@mhdld9287]

Germany in ww1 : we want a Poland Germany in ww2 : we want Poland

[@tronKriz]

Funny how one letter changes everything

[@Cyricist001]

Yes but actually no. AH was the first chancellor that agreed to the Polish border, he courted Poland for years for an alliance and that stopped when Poland was guaranteed by France and Britain against Germany.

[@seronymus]

​@@tronKrizone literal iota makes all the difference, a universe worth: homoousios vs homoiousios ☦️

[@jlshel42]

I wanted a Poland for Christmas one year

[@gustykraken]

U get it?

[@davesy6969]

You would only play with the box it came in. 🎁

[@joaolucasfraga9147]

Everybody wants a Poland, until they grow. A Poland is COMMITMENT, people! You can't just have one for Christmas and then dump it on the side of the road like so many other Polands!

[@suhnih4076]

Same

[@jlshel42]

@@gustykraken Mom said only gifts that fit under the tree

[@romas011]

1:20 I always thought it was weird, as a Lithuanian, that Germany would make the Lithuanian puppet state so large. I can get including cities like Vilnius (historical capital )and Grodno despite of large Polish populations due to proximity, but the southern regions were so far away from the core lands that they never, even at the height of the Grand Duchy, were lithuanian speaking. My guess was that to keep the Polish puppet state from getting too strong, but its just a hunch.

[@dvv18]

Despite what the romantic nationalism of the last 200 or so years tries to make us believe, it's never about trifling things like languages.

[@datdude119]

I think it was to separate Polish speaking populations as much as possible to make any revolt not just a German effort but a multi national one.

[@romas011]

@@datdude119 thats a very good point. Another thought is that a lithuania of this size wouldnt be easily centralised, again making it more reliant on Germany.

[@8Hshan]

@@dvv18 Yeah, and then Yugoslavia happens. Not fun.

[@Osterochse]

fascinating that they wanted to create a state like this, yes. but at the end of th day it is just power politics anyway.

[@BCrane-ej4iq]

So, basically… Wilhelm II: “Wanna make Nicky angry?” Franz Joseph: “Yeah” Nicholas II: *cries in Yekaterinburg*

[@NicolasHaufe]

🤓 actually it by the time poland was created it would Karl I because Franz Joseph died in 1916

[@BCrane-ej4iq]

@@NicolasHaufe So you’re saying… Will II: “Charlie, wanna make Nicky Angry?” Karl I: “Bet” Nicholas II: *screams at Ipatiev House*

[@Admiral45-10]

To be fair, Nicolas II also promised to restore Polish Kingdom, on a little less harsh conditions as the Germans - and for the exact same reason. Yet another reason that pollitical leaders on all sides eventually gained interest in restoring Poland was to keep Poles fighting and supporting the ,,right" side, after historical propaganda campaign on both sides didn't work.

[@diegoyqulki]

I hate you Willy 🤬 Nicky-Rusian Empire 1916

[@MustacheCashStash125]

Because James Bissonette wanted to use Poland as a place to exile his enemies

[@paulcowlishaw]

Who

[@TransKidsMafia]

Please be kind to trans kids my newborn is trans

[@Liverpool-2004]

@@paulcowlishawA patreon who gets mentioned in the end of every video

[@toldiaraber]

Sadly Kelly Moneymaker had no intentions of reviving Poland as it would weaken his alliance with Sky Shapal and thus .. war

[@_nobodyxi]

As they deserved Viva la Bisonette

[@Garcea_linking]

James bissonete payed a goodwill price for them to do that.

[@Marconius6]

"Congratulations, you are being liberated. Please do not resist."

[@amadeosendiulo2137]

And we resisted 😉 Especially here in Poznań.

[@talesferreiralimadossantos8806]

​@@amadeosendiulo2137How's life there now? Do you still have German influence?

[@amadeosendiulo2137]

@@talesferreiralimadossantos8806 The region is richer than the east, the railway network is denser (although it suffered because of the rise of the car popularity too). Poznań is quite progressive, there are queer spaces in the centre and the pride parade called ‘Equality March’ happens yearly not as a protest anymore. We have some German architecture and even infrastructure. The linguistic influence of German on the regional dialect has faded away in everyday speech. Apart from Polish, English and Russian/Ukrainian are the most common languages in the city. Interestingly, you could find places with a German minority and German as an official language in southern Poland, way further from Germany.

[@Argacyan]

@@amadeosendiulo2137 The German minority you mention resides in Upper Silesia. While the area of Oppeln is farther away from current-day Germany, the areas of Silesia inhabited by Germans or Germanic people (referring to people speaking a Germanic language, but not nationally German such as Austrians & Swedes etc) used to extend up to that area before the end of WW2.

[@MinusTheRogue]

“Kurwa”

[@briiteNIITEliite]

its funny because in my Victoria 3 Prussia campaign I did the exact same thing for the exact same reasons, and I had no idea that it happened irl until now

[@niono1587]

ye its very fun in video games when you end up reverse engineering things that happened in real life because it just makes sense.

[@Comrade-Mostafa]

@niono1587 Yes, especially when in any case france will do some revolution no matter what it would result! Sometimes, they become communist or even fa*sit. This is so realistic, dude...😅😂😂😂🎉

[@palchum1185]

Vic3 sucks

[@concept5631]

Then why are you "participating" in this conversation? ​@@palchum1185

[@cl8804]

gay af

[@azDanqs]

1939: "Your services are no longer required"

[@SillyUwUBilly]

1945: "Likewise"

[@thearbiter3351]

You know it's a good day when History Matters posts German politics

[@4DMartin]

Germany 30 years later: You no longer need to exist

[@bartosz1320]

Poland after ww2: "still D.R.E starts playing" Guess who's back

[@luigi7720]

​@@bartosz1320as a Russian puppet 😂😂😂

[@bartosz1320]

@@luigi7720 Poland in 1989: "without me starts playing" Guess who's back, back again

[@Todietipso]

Germany 110 years later: Actually, can you also take Saxony with you?

[@LMB222]

​@@Todietipsosadly your joke went over the heads of most here… 😐 Poland can also take Sachsen-Anhalt, and especially Meklemburg.

[@jabber1990]

when Germany has its own version of Sikes-Picot...and actually fullfills its end of the bargain

[@douglasboyle6544]

Not enough straight lines 😊

[@Hadar1991]

No, they did not. Germany promised a Polish state, but they refused to say what borders they would have. So for the whole time Polish government did not know what exactly territory they were governing. When the war was nearing to end there was series of uprising which started establishing who controls what. And this basically destroy foreign relation between all those new emerging states because there were multiple example when two or more governments toughs they controlled territory X.

[@dwarow2508]

It did not actually fullfil the bargain but sure

[@vattghern257]

As a Pole I appreciate the using of polish 'nie' instead of 'no' ; in fun fact no xD

[@susiduo3438]

Nie means never in German which makes it even funnier imo.

[@maras3naraz]

And polish money as well

[@colindaniels945]

Similar to the proposed Bulgaria that was created in the Treaty Of San Stefano, except in this case the proposed Bulgaria was a Russian puppet state meant to give Russia access to the Mediterranean. As I figured, Germany created/recreated Poland as a puppet/rump state.

[@Maxfromohio2155]

Everyone talks about James bisonette but nobody talks about how there’s a guy who is spinning three plates and he’s been spinning them for a couple years at this point

[@FuneFox]

2:05 Note that the Entente didn't promise all this land. Poland fought Russia, Lithuania and Ukraine for the eastern part, and the west wasn't happy about Poland's "invasion". You should make a video about the Polish-Bolshevik war, it's pretty interesting.

[@deepconnectome]

Every single problem we have since 1900s is because of bolshevics.

[@democraticrepublicofsprout7263]

Finally, Ive been waiting for Poland lore!

[@amadeosendiulo2137]

So what you should look for is the 10/11th century CE.

[@theaxxorite9415]

James bissonete payed a goodwill price for them to do that

[@paulcowlishaw]

Who

[@SGNL05]

No, it was Kelly Moneymaker.

[@crogersMX]

James Castañeda stopped funding this long ago.

[@theprofessional155]

Josef Pilsudski who was later the leader of Poland lead Polish Legions in the Austro Hungarian Army because he hated the Russian empire more . However he was arrested by the Kaiser after he refused to bow to him . He hated monarchies especially the German and Russian one . This cause massive amounts of his troops to disobey the Germans .

[@kannonspendstoomuchtime4597]

Gotta love history videos man!

[@kubazielinski1943]

Very important topic in Polish history is that we, the Poles, tend to ignore nowadays the fact of the Kingdom of Poland even existing despite it being responsible for basically creating Poland from nothing. Official historical narrative is that on 11.11.1918 we "got independence" but for some reason no one asks the question how exactly did it happen, it's like: *snap of fingers* boom Poland exists now. It's funny in its own way but primarily sad.

[@The1Asher]

Most of people that created Poland have been exterminated in PRL. I am not sure of what we you are talking about. In Polish you say I did something or Poles did something.

[@OrkosUA]

History classes in every country usually omit uncomfortable facts like this one.

[@lukaszprotas]

Try telling in school that we in Poland should celebrate 7.10.18 as intependent day, not the 11.11. On 7.10 Regency Council declared polish independence. Tell us how it went xD

[@bunkol294]

This is being taught in Polish schools, the problem is that praising Kingdom of Poland for polish independence would make as much sense as doing the same for Hans Frank's GG, KoP was artficial state created to trick Polish people into fighting alongside central powers, Germans didnt care about existence of Polish state and even wanted to carve half of its territories most notably northern Mazovia and Łódzkie, deport all Poles from there and settle those places with Germans.

[@OrkosUA]

@@bunkol294 still denying its role in the preparing Polish for independence is just weird.

[@tukaes6651]

All pro-central powers sentiments in Poland were killed by the central powers themselves. In February 1918 in treaty of Brest Germany and Austria transferred Chełm land from former Congress Poland to Ukrainian State. In protest Polish government led by Jan Kucharzewski resigned, and all Poles serving in Austrian military administration also resigned. Polish members of Austrian parliament moved to opposittion what prevented budget adoption and led to the parliamentary crisis in Austria. Also Polish auxiliary corp led by col Haller deserted from Austrian command. In Kraków officials decorated their dogs with Austrian orders and medals.

[@melvinencinascabrera4897]

love ur work

[@GeluTavi]

Thank you for making this video, much appreciated.

[@iknowuare4716]

Another great video. Humorous at times and informative.

[@jjforcebreaker]

Thank you and have a great weekend, HM!

[@zayedbinimran957]

The plan to annex the polish strip was only a suggestion and it was never really implemented and i dont think the plan was seriously considered.

[@leris7697]

It was the favored plan by Ludendorff and Hindenburg, who by 1918 were the de facto dictators of Germany

[@talesferreiralimadossantos8806]

Yeah, what would be the point of creating a Polish state, transfer Poles to there, but also annex a strip of land to populate with Germans?

[@zayedbinimran957]

@@talesferreiralimadossantos8806 buffer.

[@leris7697]

@@talesferreiralimadossantos8806 Genocide, mostly. They weren't Nazis obviously but the Imperial German government still had pretty much the same opinions on the Polish that the Nazis did. There are letters from Bismarck from I believe the 1880s which expressed his desire for the total annihilation of the Polish people.

[@ak-od7mf]

@@leris7697 The Kaiser most likely never wanted any new land, the annexation of Alsace and Lorraine had been proven problematic enough, and at the end of the war theyd rather just want to be surrounded by somewhat friendly and calm neighbouring states and its not like the Poles were a united people either, some of them would rather join Germany than be part of a new Polish state. It was a very tricky score to settle.

[@galatheumbreon6862]

It was mostly because Germany and to some extent Austria wanted to win over the Poles in support of the war effort and so promised them a independent state with large parts of the Polish speaking lands of the Russian empire. Basically to keep the Poles loyal so they don't try to revolt and possibly break away

[@Cyricist001]

No, the Central powers really wanted buffer states with Russia, Poland wasn't the only one that was supposed to be made from the Brest-Litovsk agreement. They would be puppet states, but the Soviets and American did the same thing, it's politics as usual.

[@AlInGaP_Diode]

I love how everyone once in a while I'll just be watching a bunch of these and all of a sudden I realize the latest one I clicked on happened to be brand new

[@dwarow2508]

The eastern borders Poland would receive based on the Entente's proposal were not the 1921 border you showed in your video. It was actually along the Curzon line which is more similar to the 1945 border. The Entente also did not really aprove of Poland's new 1921 borders until they realised that they could not beat the Soviets militarily

[@munchnerkindl7480]

Nice video.👍

[@OrangeSheepPlayz]

Another great video!

[@muhammadhabibieamiro3639]

Another amazing video

[@MichaelSmith-ij2ut]

As a maker of Poles myself, this really intrigued me

[@steve1978ger]

May I ask what kind of Poles you make?

[@vazeyo]

Nice detail that Germanys, Polands and Austria-Hungarys colours are the same as the current German flag. (Black, Red and Gold/Yellow)

[@The1Asher]

1+1=2, 4-2=2 and this is exactly as 4*2/4 so you are a Russian troll.

[@kremlkritiker2158]

Very interesting thanks for the video.

[@trujustice924]

This week in questions we didn't know we needed to ask but are really curious about. 😁

[@HistorySpot2023]

During World War One, Poland was divided and occupied by three major powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia. The region had been partitioned between these empires in the late 18th century and had ceased to exist as a sovereign state. However, during World War One, various Polish political factions and military units fought on different sides of the conflict.

[@ewdsfghnrefdvgbgnmj]

Germany only occupied the areas of Posen and West Prussia from Poland. Russia and Austria had the most. (In the German Empire only lived 3 Millionen poles)

[@dwarow2508]

Russia until 1814 only had Russian land under control, not Polish land. It was only after the Napoleonic Wars when the Poles sided with the French during the invasion of Russia that the Russians decided to turn the remaining Polish state into a puppet with a very high degree of autonomy

[@raidang]

The video quality improvement alot

[@MCsCreations]

Fascinating!

[@michaelowino228]

Good video.

[@karoel123]

woah! I am a Pole that love history but I never heard of it! I didn't thought that I will find something here about Poland that I don't know about

[@kodor1146]

You didn´t know that the Germans were the founders of the Polish nation state O_o The Germans even printed the first Polish money.

[@jeremykraenzlein5975]

I have heard of Polish people celebrating the birth of modern Poland on November 11, 1918, corresponding to the Treaty of Versailles. Apparently they considered the German puppet state described in this video to be Poland in name only.

[@carms001]

One of my Favorite episodes!

[@geo.m1639]

Can you do a video on why there was no coalition against Cromwell like what happened to Napoleon

[@sakkra93]

Another interesting puppet of Germany was the "United Baltic Duchy", a kind of pseudo-Teutonic Order State with a German nobility and consisting of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as having a cool black and white Nordic Cross flag. This state was the successor of another short-lived German puppet state called the "Duchy of Courland and Semigallia" (not to confused with the earlier Polish vassal of the same name).

[@The1Asher]

OMG so Christian cross that is used all over Europe and is the symbol of Catholic church is Teutonic? Jesus. Please write to Putin who is the head of Orthodox Church immediately.

[@orazdhl6542]

history matters is the best way to learn history honestly

[@user-hk1vi9pz9s]

Would you consider doing videos on the Swiss or Swedish nuclear weapons programs? It seems they both got pretty extensively far into it but scrapped them as the cold war came to an end. Really interesting stuff personally

[@Matti_us_Alpe]

Nice one! Perhaps something about Switzerland?

[@ShadowSmokes]

Have you ever had any war?

[@emsauce75]

Woooo! History!

[@no.6660]

Day 3 of asking him to finish the English/British history series

[@stalhandske9649]

Vassal feeding saves time and admin points you would need to use to core annexed provinces.

[@Toumahitoedits]

As a Kaiserreich fan this is too accurate lmao

[@YairElChivo]

Never clicked fast than ever

[@JWC249]

"I have gotten the greatest return on investment in history!" -James Bissonette (probably)

[@ffarkasm]

I enjoyed this episode.

[@JL1009]

More videos please

[@wypera6536]

That’s a question I‘m asking myself every day. Why? Why? WHYYYYYYY?!

[@andrewrogers3067]

KAISEREICH INTENSIFIES.

[@ItsHonski]

united baltic duchy moment

[@pawejaroszewicz7893]

It wasent so simple, but hay, 3 min clip. Thx

[@rayrocher6887]

I do like these info reports

[@BS-vx8dg]

I really love HM videos, but I usually already know 90% of the content. This time I really learned a lot! Thanks!

[@Wertzuio]

what history class leaves out: (they only teach kids about germans using gas and flamethrowers)

[@suchymk]

because they did use gas and flamethrowers, and even in this video its said that they only wanted Poland as a vassal state dependent on germany

[@kodor1146]

@@suchymk "because they did use gas and flamethrowers," As did anybody. " and even in this video its said that they only wanted Poland as a vassal state dependent on germany" Nevertheless the Germans were the founders of Poland. They even printed the first Polish money. The right of self determination of peoples is used to be atrributed to Woodrow Wilson but the actual inventors were the Germans.

[@welcometonebalia]

Thank you.

[@VisualBasic6]

I feel bad. I searched for "spinning three plates" to find a video of someone who cut a clip of you saying this with your channel's name in the title because I forgot what it was. But hey, at least it worked 😂

[@exclibrion]

Also, they wanted to create a polish batalion that would fill the conscription needs of the German Empire. They estimated 1 milion poles would be able to fight in german army but that backfired because the polish troops didn't want to fight for the germans and after the polish comitte was abolished by the germans they all turned against Germany. That's why the polish state in 1918 already had a national army.

[@Didyouknowthatiexist]

Because James bissonette wants to carve out a kingdom for himself

[@saadSulimanAyob]

Possible History needs to watch this video

[@kubus0024]

0:07 It would be coller if there was written on the grave "We'll be back"

[@neonach3885]

I guess Fun Fact abaut the Regency Council: Suprisingly they weren't just Spineless laceys to Germany and, like the vid said, declared independence and Kind of gave foundations for second republic. BTW one of its members, Zdzisław Lubomirski, lived long enough to WW2 and even afther the fall of Warsaw indirectly suported the creation of Polish Resistance. So yea Pretty nice.

[@solsunman383]

Did the regency ever seriously consider parking a noble bum on the throne of Poland?

[@michaldworakowski187]

​@@solsunman383 I guess it would depend. It was seriously chaotic time where we had lie 2 small republics of National minorites the the polish bolshevik war etc. The answer is...propably not/ would depend on world events and peace deals.

[@YetAnotherSADXFan]

Interesting

[@travelchoice89]

the historical context behind Germany's actions in World War One through this insightful animated documentary. 📜🌍

[@HitmanConan]

It's like one of those movies where a bully loses his favorite target and creates a new one, but the new target gets too strong...

[@tagus100]

James Bisonette cast the deciding vote to create a new Polish state.

[@TheGawron666]

The best thing is that the Entente didn't want an independent Poland either, they preferred Poland in union with Russia, like before, and if it was going to be independent it shouldn't be too big so as not to offend Russia

[@Admiral45-10]

That was the plan of Eastern Entante (excluding Japanese, they were cool). Western Entante didn't get involved in Polish matters for long time, mainly because they saw them as insignificant - that was, until the formation of gen. Haller's Blue Army in France in 1917.

[@DasWarVorbestimmt]

Thanks for sharing this piece of history. Despite being german, I never heard of it before. Provably because school tends to focus on the western front of WWI.

[@jeleni9443]

Poland when ask about restoring independence : *visible proudness* Poland when asked how they expanded their terretory in 20s: *quick change of subject *

[@paprykpapryk84]

We did get them for russians.

[@Werty715_25]

@@paprykpapryk84 Not Russians, Bolsheviks.

[@moonmilkman33]

Because they wanted that reconquest cb

[@Serling]

I love when you say "But fun fact, no"

[@ArkadiBolschek]

Surely you mean "Nie" ^^

[@thegamerator10]

It's still wild to think that for a time, the United States and Poland-Lithuania existed together.

[@Earthhistory11]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 *Germany and Austria-Hungary, historically hostile to Poland, sought to restore Poland during WWI, mainly to counter Russian threats and shorten their border for defense.* 00:55 *Germany wanted a Polish state as a buffer against Russia, to deport potentially rebellious Polish population, and to enhance its dominance in Europe, intending to control Poland's economy, railroads, and military.* 02:04 *Despite promises, the German-offered Polish state was not well-received by Poles, leading to unrest and eventually declaration of independence when Germany started losing the war.* Made with HARPA AI

[@sciencer9830]

Poland is okay, as long as it’s not made from my territory

[@SillyUwUBilly]

And You are From ?

[@gabespiro8902]

I’m fine with people Polish, just so long as they keep it in the bedroom

[@TheTrooper1878]

So answer to the originla question is ,,Because James Bissonette said so"

[@diegolopezaragon5403]

James Bissonette and Kelly Moneymaker. Name a more iconic duo, I'll wait

[@danielmilewski7659]

Dzięki

[@somejerkbag]

Nice of Charles I to take time from his busy schedule of being dead since 1649 to donate to the patreon

[@alecsmith3448]

Have buffer states ever actually functioned as buffers?

[@forthrightgambitia1032]

Yes. Mongolia, Uruguay, Paraguay, post-1955 Austria.

[@asierescobal1248]

If you want more precise information about the topic, I suggest you two videos: The Kingdom of Poland during WW1 and The Occupation of Poland in WW1 both from Sir Manatee channel

[@eric-wb7gj]

TY🙏🙏

[@Skott62]

Interesting. I always thought the creation of Poland had more to do with, first the Poles wanted their own country again and second, the allies were willing to do this as a buffer against communism. I didn't know Germany and Austria had so much to do with it. All the documentaries up until I saw this left out the German/Austrian involvement of it. I wonder why?

[@jurgisvalancauskas4006]

Because to Poland's image it is not a "heroic narrative". Anyway Germany didn't won WW1 so a Polish state would have appeared on map anyway.

[@Yungkhalifa14]

if they wanted to remake poland they wouldve done it without the need of usa and france