Pacts and Treaties Effect on The Invasion of Poland

In order for a world war to take place, you must first have an event that triggered it, and all the countries that are effected to take action. Before long, you have a ton of countries either coming together or fighting against each other even if that one little event didn’t concern them in the beginning. This comes as a result of treaties and pacts that are signed between countries. Pacts make it very hard for two countries to fight without involving many others. The invasion of Poland by the Germans is a perfect example how pacts can have a very negative effect on the world.

What started out to be a battle for territory among two countries soon turned into a war throughout Europe. Shortly after Germany invaded Poland, the Russians took the side of Germany and also invaded Poland on September 16, 1939, as a result of their non-aggression pact signed in August 23, 1939. This pact stated that they would work together, and they also planned to take over and divide the territory of Poland. Great Britain and France knew that Poland would never stand a chance against these two wartime allies. So, British P.M. chamberlain gave up on the appeasement, and Great Britain and France pledged their support to Poland if Germany were to attack. As time goes by more pacts are signed, binding countries together, and are now responsible for protecting not only their country and territory but the other country's who they made the pact with as well.

All of the other countries began getting deeply involved and before too long more and more countries would somehow get tied in. This is how World War II became triggered by a small battle over precious territory. And since Great Britain had signed a treaty to protect Poland, they declared war on Germany. So, basically Great Britain ended up fighting Poland’s battles. And if no treaties were signed, then no other countries other than Germany and Poland would have been involved in this battle and World War II would not have been brought on over this ridiculous obsession over territory. It used to be that every country fought for themselves, but now countries constantly find themselves fighting another country’s battles.

In the beginning of World War II pacts were not only being made but also being broken. If a country decides to break a pact due to a disagreement, that country has now made another enemy and it’s forces are weakened. When Hitler abolished the Polish- German Non-Aggression Pact not only did he betray Poland but he also created tension, and started the battle that soon lead to World War II. I feel that countries should be responsible for defending themselves, not only will this reduce the chances of world wars, but also keep peace, and not allow one country to suffer as a result of having to fight another country’s battles.

Another effect of pacts, are that if you are a stronger and more threatening to an enemy many times they will view you as the prime target. Therefor, since your country is stronger you will be looked upon as a major enemy, and then the country, the whole reason you started fighting, then fades into the background and becomes forgotten while you continue to fight. And since the other country is weaker, they will not be of much assistance in helping you fight off your new enemy.

Pacts and Treaties have many good and bad effects. However, if given the choice I don’t think that pacts should be made, it only involves more people and more territory, and can result in devastating situations.