Arin Spanner, Amanda Scandalios, Kelsey Tonsfeldt, Kailen KershnerMs. Green-HeffernWestern Civilization, Period 419 May 2014Poland's Influence in the 20th CenturyThroughout its existence Poland remained a foundational nation in terms of the formation of the Western world. In 1919, Poland became an independent state with the Treaty of Versailles: a contract made by world powers after the devastation of the First World War. Even after receiving severe reparations for actions taken during World War I, Germany pushed beyond the treaty boundaries by invading both the Rhineland and the Sudetenland in 1936. Because they were not punished for these violations, Hitler came to believe that the British and Frenchmen would have given him plenty of leeway to avoid another world war. However, this passive style led to the German invasion of Poland and, subsequently, the end of Poland's independent government (“German Invasion of Poland”). Even without control of its own government for much of its twentieth-century existence, Poland remained a highly influential country that sparked the Western movement against communism, maintained a crucial role in foreign affairs, and then gained independence , which allows it to remain both economically and politically strong today. On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland (“Germany invades Poland”). In doing so the Germans expressly disobeyed the Treaty of Versailles. The Nazis believed that the French and English were bluffing when they said they would declare war if Germany invaded the country. (“Germany invades Poland”). German forces invaded Poland from the north, south, and west, forcing the Poles to retreat eastward (“Germany's three-sided advance on Poland”). However, the French and English k...... center of the card ...... a legislative superpower through partnerships and influence in the European Union. From the invasion of Poland that triggered World War II, to maintaining a strong impact on modern day world politics and foreign affairs, Poland remained an influential country throughout the 20th century. During World War II, Poland staunchly resisted the Nazis as well as providing substantial aid to persecuted Jews. Through the Solidarity movement, Poland served as a trailblazer for other nations similarly seeking to escape communism and give its citizens more rights. Currently, Poland's export economy is an integral part of the German automotive industry, and the Poles are a strong political leader in the European Union. Overall, Poland's continued impact on world affairs has allowed it to remain an influential superpower throughout the 20th century and advance into the 21st century..