Danzig Corridor

Definition

The Danzig Corridor was a narrow strip of land that separated East Prussia from the rest of Germany, providing access to the Baltic Sea. This area was crucial during the lead-up to World War II as it included the Free City of Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland) and was a focal point of tension between Germany and Poland. The desire to reclaim this territory was one of the main reasons for Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939, which ultimately marked the beginning of the conflict.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Danzig Corridor was created after World War I as part of the Treaty of Versailles, which aimed to provide Poland access to the sea while separating East Prussia from mainland Germany.
2. Germany viewed the Danzig Corridor as a humiliation and a source of national grievance, fueling nationalist sentiments and calls for revision of the post-World War I settlements.
3. The Nazi regime made it a priority to reclaim Danzig and its surrounding territories, using propaganda to stir public sentiment against Poland and justify military action.
4. On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland starting with attacks in the Danzig Corridor, which marked the official beginning of World War II.
5. The strategic significance of Danzig lay in its port facilities and access to maritime trade routes, making it economically important for both Poland and Germany.

Review Questions

• How did the establishment of the Danzig Corridor after World War I contribute to rising tensions between Germany and Poland?
  • The establishment of the Danzig Corridor created a geographic separation that fueled resentment in Germany, as it severed East Prussia from mainland Germany. This arrangement was seen as a punitive measure by many Germans after World War I, leading to a perception that national interests were compromised. As a result, nationalist sentiments grew within Germany, creating an atmosphere ripe for conflict that culminated in the invasion of Poland.
• Evaluate the role of propaganda in shaping public opinion in Germany regarding the Danzig Corridor and its significance in justifying military action against Poland.
  • Propaganda played a critical role in the Nazi regime’s efforts to galvanize public support for military action regarding the Danzig Corridor. The government portrayed Poles as aggressors who threatened German citizens in Danzig, thereby rallying nationalistic fervor. By framing the issue as a matter of reclaiming lost territory and protecting ethnic Germans, the Nazis were able to justify their invasion of Poland to both domestic audiences and foreign powers.
• Assess the impact of the Danzig Corridor's status on European geopolitics leading up to World War II and how it influenced other nations' responses to Nazi aggression.
  • The status of the Danzig Corridor significantly impacted European geopolitics by highlighting the failures of collective security mechanisms like the League of Nations. The inability or unwillingness of other nations to confront Nazi expansionism emboldened Hitler’s regime, setting a dangerous precedent. As tensions escalated over Danzig, countries such as Britain and France began to reconsider their policies toward Nazi aggression, ultimately leading them to adopt defensive alliances with Poland and prepare for broader conflict in Europe.

Related terms

Free City of Danzig: An independent city-state established in 1920 under the League of Nations, which served as a semi-autonomous entity but was predominantly German-speaking.

Nazi Germany: The totalitarian regime led by Adolf Hitler from 1933 to 1945, known for its aggressive expansionism and the instigation of World War II.

Munich Agreement: A settlement reached in 1938 that allowed Nazi Germany to annex the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia, demonstrating the policy of appeasement towards Hitler’s territorial ambitions.