The Idea
Intermarium (polish: Międzymorze) or Between-Seas was an idea of creating Central East European federation stretching between Baltic, Mediterranean and Black seas. It was proposed by Chef of state and first marshal of Poland Józef Piłsudzki during interwar period between World War I and II. The goal was to create a balance of power in Central European region to prevent one nation achieving a position of dominance, mainly counterweight Russian and German imperialism. Federation would encompass territories of current Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Former Yugoslavia, Baltic states, Finland and parts of Russia.
Historical Background
Intermarium (polish: Międzymorze) or Between-Seas was an idea of creating Central East European federation stretching between Baltic, Mediterranean and Black seas. It was proposed by Chef of state and first marshal of Poland Józef Piłsudzki during interwar period between World War I and II. The goal was to create a balance of power in Central European region to prevent one nation achieving a position of dominance, mainly counterweight Russian and German imperialism. Federation would encompass territories of current Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Former Yugoslavia, Baltic states, Finland and parts of Russia.
Historical Background
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| Territory of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth mapped on today's borders |
To properly understand political reasons of Intermarium we have to first go back to 16th Century and shortly recall Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was formed in 1569 by the Union of Lublin and was the a semi-confederal aristocratic republic uniting Kingdom of Poland and Lithuania. It was one of the largest countries in Europe, created to hold itself against Sweden, Russia and Ottoman Empire oppressions. During that time Commonwealth entered its golden age. In 1795 as a result of catastrophic chain of political decisions country was partitioned in three stages by the neighboring Russian Empire, Kingdom of Prussia, and the Habsburg Monarchy and thus ended the dream of strong Central European empire. The period of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was later commonly resembled as a predecessor of Intermarium.
Interwar Period
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| The Great Purge in Russia |
After World War I Poland regained parts of its lost territory. Marshal Piłsudzki (selected by Entente as a chef of Polish state) started working on the “Prometheans” project aimed to disintegrate Russian empire by supporting nationalist independence movement of non-Russian minorities. During that time he initiated idea of allied powers to withstand the pressures of the Soviet Union. However his politics mainly focused on resurrection of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth rather than separate federation. Unfortunately for Piłsudzki there was a huge opposition to his idea coming from every direction. Lithuanians and Ukrainians feared that this could lead to polish subjugation, when formerly both fiercely fought for their independence. Allied powers on the other side thought that bolshevism wasn’t a threat and didn’t want to disrupt geopolitical balance in the region. There were also post-war border claims coming from neighboring countries and growing internal polish opposition. Piłsudzki understood that his idea was not feasible just after the outbreak of Polish-Soviet war (1920).
During Polish-Soviet war Piłsudzki shifted his idea and started planning an alliance with Baltic and Balkan states which was his first serious attempt to create the Intermarium. Apart from Czechoslovakia and Lithuania, Poland had good relations with other countries. However they had tensions with their own neighbours. Piłsudzki managed to create Polish-Romainan-Hungarian alliance before his death in 1935. According to some historians failure of Intermarium has plunged the chance to avoid hurtful fate of Cetral-East Europe in Second World War.
World War II
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| New York Times on 1st September 1939 |
Today
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| Countries currently participating in Three Seas Initiative |
The idea of Intermarium hasn’t died In fact on 6 August 2015 Polish President Andrzej Duda, announced plans to recreate a regional alliance as The Three Seas Initiative (BABS). Since then there have been 2 summits in Dubrovnik (2016) and then in Warsaw (2017) with participation of U.S President Donald Trump.
Questions:
1. How would the world look today if Intermarium was created?
2. Do you think that this alliance would prevent the outbreak of second World War?
3. Was Pilsudski’s afford to create Intermarium even worth a try?
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermarium
https://geopoliticalfutures.com/intermarium-three-seas/
The Intermarium: Wilson, Madison, & East Central European Federalism [book]
Comments
2. I have no idea. I am not aware of the interest that today world's leader are driven by, so it might prevent it or as well be a pretty good excuse for the cause of it.
3. Idea itself seems worth very much to me. Especially giving circumstances we were under of that time.
Overall, the idea of Intermarium wasn't bad and was worth a try. I think the main reasons for its failure were due to some political disagreements between countries and different visions on perspectives of such idea.
It is hard to say if Pilsudzki's effort was worth it because it depends if the new federation were truly striving to build itself upon cooperation and peaceful coexistence of different nations - in that case it would be certainly a good cause - or just to create an institution to provide more privilege to polish people over other ethnicities.
Perhaps such a thing will only work and cut people if their ethnic and national bias are abolished, but we all know that it is very difficult to achieve such a result. As for the Second World War, I think it would start in case of Intermarium existence, but maybe the way the war could be done in different way, and the creation of this alliance might be that I would have thought that it would be worthwhile and worthwhile. but I doubt.
I personally hate when someone ask 'what would happen if...' because nobody can answer correctly on such a questions. There are infinite numbers of possible scenarios.
Alliance wouldn't prevent from WW2, it was unavoidable. It could look different, but for sure it would have place.
I think the idea was worth trying. I am a little bit curious how the world would look like if he succeeded.
From one side I believe that such alliance could have great benefit for each country in it. Cooperation and collaboration of Eastern Europe countries could build a very powerful federation. Especially in an interwar period when the power of ZSRR and Third Reich was rising. However, I’m not sure that it could prevent Nazi offensive. At least it could change the flow of WW2 and minimize number of victims. As result, I believe it worth to try.
On the other hand, each country looks for the benefit for itself (I believe it’s the main reason why it’s wasn’t created). So powerful alliance in Eastern Europe could also become an aggressor in their effort to dominate in this region.
For sure rise the Intermarium would have an impact for history of the world. Maybe in our time, we would be a powerful country, where world have to take our opinion in account or perhaps we would talk in diffrent languages. We can't be sure about nothing and that's what I like ;)
As for WW2, I think it doesn't matter, whether Intermarium would come into existence. WW2 still would outbreak, but certainly the fate of the world would look diffrently. I think WW2, would be more briefly and of course with victory alliances.
I think it was very good idea for circumstances we were under of that time and I regret that it didn't work.
3. I consider Piłsudski’s initiative on creating Intermarium a valuable effort, unfortunately other countries which had been invited to this coalition didn’t take the opportunity to counterweight Russian and German domination at that time
Idea was good for me. Second World War was horrible, Intermarium could save a lot of lives so it's such pity it didn't happen.
2. I don't think so. History showed us, that even with many allies it all ends up with being on our own. I thnik that many of those countries involved in Intermarium could just "back out" safely in case of WW2.
3. It's always worth a try - the world wouldn't look as it looks right now without people giving a try at something. Sometimes it's a success, sometimes not. I think that he had a clear vision, and also he was a clever guy, so it could work out.
2. I feel that such big country as Intermarium could have been would be able to atack Germany to prevent development of Nasism among a Germany. Also we would have a potential to stop a comunism because such union like Intermarium would have power to oppose invaders.
3. I think that it would be great if he could have created such union between our countries. Our languages are simillary, we have simillar slavic culture, our faith has the same origins so we had and maybe even have a great potential to cooperate and build a such union. On the other hand I think that in democracy it is impossible.
A world without commies would be a nice place to live.
There is huge probability that iron curtain would have a different
border, much more extended to east.
Do you think that this alliance would prevent the outbreak of second World War?
Probably the german outbreak would be helded, but its much more complicated from
Bolsheviks site (Hitler was elected also because of the german national fear from east).
Was Pilsudski’s afford to create Intermarium even worth a try?
Was the anti-Russian activity led by Piłsudski not beneficial
for Austria, or were they not interested in supporting it?
Piłsudzki wasn't a significant figure back then.
And The Three Seas Initiative (BABS) is very disturbing plan for Germany.
2. Do you think that this alliance would prevent the outbreak of second World War?
In my opinion there is a big chance that if the Intermarium had created before WW2, the war wouldn’t have occurred. Tens of millions of people wouldn’t have died. But in other hand nobody can predict it, maybe the second war would take place and even worse take more people.
3. Was Pilsudski’s afford to create Intermarium even worth a try?
I think there still creation o Intermarium is worth a try. History repeats itself, and it is better to have more alliance than opponents.
2. It would not prevent the second world war just because they would not have enough "fire power" to make some kind of intervention.
3. Come on,do you really think pilsudzki was the first man to make decisions? He was just a strong,ambitious leader and nothing more. There is always someone,who is staying in a shadow.
I support the idea that some events in the history of human kind are just fixed and there is no possibility of them happening at some moment. The outcome or exact time of some events could be different, but I see World War II as one of those events.
I think that Pilsudski's effort can't be seen as unnecessary as his ideas still aren't forgotten. We can't predict what would be final outcome, but maybe let's just hope that some of the plans could introduce a better future to all of us.
There is still fascism & colonialism but no WW2 & Cold War so I am not sure if it is better or worse
Honestly, I do not know. I think the Second World War would break out anyway, but it's just speculation. No one will know the truth.
I think the idea was fine. I am curious if the world would look if it succeeded.
In my opinion, the creation of Intermarium would not affect the outbreak of World War II. It's a very complex topic, which led to the start of WWII. Events like the Second World War are not only caused by the political situation and the will to conquer Europe, but also by the mood of society and the economic situation.
I consider Piłsudski's initiative to create an Intermarium a great idea. The creation of such a union would have a positive impact on economic growth and the development of trade in countries belonging to the alliance.
I think for all countries especially for eastern part, could be huge cultural shift, and Soviet Union and ideas, wouldn't affect European countries. But definitely world could look different, if that was true.
2. Do you think that this alliance would prevent the outbreak of second World War?
If count that territories of all countries mentioned before, was occupied by Germany, I think the result would be the same. But who am I to judge?
3. Was Pilsudski’s afford to create Intermarium even worth a try?
That's too complex question to answer, but in my opinion, we don't need to spend time guessing how it would be, rather to learn the lessons of history and creating our own.
I do not think it prevent the outbreak of Second World War. The reason for that, in my opinion, is our polish character. I think we are a good companion but we and not good at living with others. We can see it in our attitude to immigrants that we are accepting others is problematic for us.
Everything is worth a try, especially if you are a Pilsudski - a person with lost of charisma. Besides that, we now know have a better knowledge of the possible outcome of ideas like this.