alternatehistory.com

In 1918, when Poland was being created out of the ruins of the German and Russian Empires, it was quickly realized that Poland would need access to the sea. The Western Allies remedied this problem by confiscating the Danzig Corridor from Germany and designating the area a Free City, under the control of the League of Nations, with a binding customs union to Poland. Poland was allowed to develop and maintain the city's transportation, communication, and port facilities.

Despite effectively being made a subject of Poland, only 10% of the population of Danzig in 1939 were Poles. The rest belonged to the German majority, who were very unhappy with being separated from their homeland.

In 1939, the matter of Danzig wound up being the spark which lit the bonfire of the Second World War, with Germany demanding that Poland hand over the city of Danzig. Of course, Poland refused the demand and that led to the German invasion of Poland.

But what if the Danzig Corridor was never taken from Germany?
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