Warsaw falls, 1920

Actually for Masaryk the main problem for the federation were Poles themselves ;).

Indeed; I was saying that without Piłsudski, the other Poles are even less likely to be in favor of such a deal. But that's neithere her nor there.

But:eek: I was mainly thinking that the decision from 27th July 1920 divided Teschen between Czechoslovakia and Poland.

Would the Czechs grab the rest, in this scenario?

Yes, Czechoslovakia did, but that is different than negotiations with Bolsheviks.

So... I'm confused. What do you think Hillerson's job was, then?

Anyway, IMO it seems we agree that Czechoslovakia wouldn't go to war for Poland, no?

What would Czechoslovakia's reaction have been if France had proceeded to set up Hungary as its gendarme in eastern Europe?
 
Would the Czechs grab the rest, in this scenario?
I do not know.


So... I'm confused. What do you think Hillerson's job was, then?
His self-aggrandizment? Unfortuately I cannot see the footnotes pertaining tho that section, but I have no information on these negotiations. It appears, at least, that the mdoern Czech historiography considers such events unworthy of mention...:confused:

What would Czechoslovakia's reaction have been if France had proceeded to set up Hungary as its gendarme in eastern Europe?
Well, Bad. Masaryk would probably want claoser ties with Germans, but that is a two million people problem. Any loss of territory would prove highly unpopular. Masaryk would ally with Bolsheviks, but he might end with no say in the matter.
 
The French Gendarme: Hungary in 1920

Czechoslovakia’s neutrality in the Russo-Polish war infuriated many in Paris. Sure, the French had refused to send troops, but they were far away; Czechoslovakia was next door, and so its neutrality did not go over well. Meanwhile, Hungary’s leadership had offered to supply Poland with men and munitions, and although their motivations were obvious [1], Budapest’s firm anti-Bolsheveik platform earned them favor in Paris. Thus, by the end of 1920 French policy in the region had shifted.

Yet the origins of the dramatic turnabout in French policy began earlier in the year. By May French investors had bought a controlling interest in Hungary’s railways, and the French had begun dangling promises of military aid in front of the Hungarians. Finally, on August 7, Hungarian diplomats met with officials from the French military, who, off the record, implied that France would choose Hungary of Czechoslovakia if anything came to blows. After Warsaw’s fall the French agreed to support Hungarian rearmament, and the first shipments of munitions arrived in September.

Naturally, the states of the former Habsburg Empire are not amused. Austria had warned Czechoslovakia in July of a Franco-Hungarian treaty, and its warnings were coming true. It should therefore come as no surprise that the states of the former Habsburg Empire quickly formed what became known as the Little Entente in August of 1920 [2]. By the end of the year Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes [3], Romania, and Czechoslovakia have formed an alliance to defend themselves against the Bolsheviks as well as Hungarian revanchism. Austria ends up joining the alliance when France and Britain determine at the beginning of 1921 that the Austrian province of Burgenland should go to Hungary.

As tensions rise along the Danube, Charles, Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, King of Bohemia, has been plotting. The French are also concerned about Eastern Europe, and Prime Minister Briand has become convinced that the Danubian region needs firm leadership. Perhaps, both agree, it is time for the return of the king.

[1] The Hungarians were hoping to gain Ruthenia and part of Slovakia.

[2] Much like in OTL, actually.

[3] Yugoslavia.
 
A map of Europe from 1925...

europe 1925.gif
 
Glasgow, November 1920

Emmanuel Shinwell breathed the damp, wet air and smiled as he stood on the podium and prepared to speak. Seventy thousand people had gathered in St. George’s Square to listen to him speak and protest the government’s actions. They had come despite the rain, which darkened their banners to the color of blood. They had come despite the government’s suppression of previous strikes, including one in this very square a year ago. They had come despite the English troops the government had sent to intimidate them. “You have come,” he declared as he began his speech, “to defend the rights of Britons, and ensure that not a one of us dies for Persia!”

William coughed as the rain continued to fall, but he continued speaking. “Who bled in the trenches?” he asked. “Who fought for years in defense of King and country, only to find that his country couldn’t give him a job? Who do you think they will send now, for a cause and a country that are not our own?” The crowd cheered. “Who will refuse to go?”

Emmanuel never found out why the policemen charged the crowd. He never found out if it was true that one of the protestors had a gun, as the police claimed. All he knew was that as he paused to speak, they charged on horseback into the crowd. There was only one thing he could say, really.

“Aww, shit.”

It's called George Square, not St George's. Also, Shinwell was widely known (here at least) as Manny, which might be a little less formal for this purpose.
 
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