Jerzy Gaul

Pod fałszywym sztandarem „naszej cywilizacji” w obronie Zachodu

Introduction

Pod fałszywym sztandarem „naszej cywilizacji” w obronie zachodu. Jak Hitler wykorzystał obronę Zachodu do budowy III Rzeszy, zwodząc zwolenników Piłsudskiego. Polska polityka neutralności wobec totalitaryzmu zakończyła się porażką.

Abstract

UNDER THE FALSE BANNER OF “OUR CIVILIZATION” IN DEFENSE OF THE WEST: SUCCESSFUL MYSTIFICATION OF ADOLF HITLER, FALSE HOPES OF PIŁSUDSKI’S SUPPORTERS (1933-1935)For Adolf Hitler, the most important goal was to build the power of the Third Reich and expand the armed forces necessary to implement his plans to fight communism, solve the Jewish question and gain living space in the East. The peace on the eastern border sought by Hitler could be the basis for an agreement with Józef Piłsudski, who sought to normalize relations with his western neighbor due to the danger from Soviet Russia. For Poland, aspiring to the role of defender of Western civilization and a bulwark against Russia and Eastern influences, it was necessary to stick to the values of the West, even though the Second Polish Republic, heading towards authoritarianism, deteriorated its relations with Western countries. After gaining power, Adolf Hitler began building a totalitarian state, consistently destroying the achievements of Western civilization in Germany. Aware of Poland’s desire to play the role of a bastion of Western civilization in the East, he used camouflage, falsely presenting himself as its defender, and called for a joint defense of the West against communism and Asian civilization. Hitler’s maneuver was facilitated by the fact that J. Beck and other Piłsudski supporters, unlike Piłsudski, used interests rather than values in international politics. Poland lost in the confrontation with Hitler because, contrary to its efforts and hopes for a policy of neutrality towards totalitarian states with an openly anti-Western and anti-civilization face, it did not gain the loyalty of its allies or the gratitude of its enemies.

Review

The article, "Pod fałszywym sztandarem „naszej cywilizacji” w obronie Zachodu" (Under the False Banner of “Our Civilization” in Defense of the West), promises a highly relevant and insightful analysis of a pivotal period in interwar European history, specifically the early interactions between Nazi Germany and Poland from 1933 to 1935. The central thesis posits that Adolf Hitler skillfully employed a deceptive rhetoric of defending "Western civilization" against communism and "Asian influences" to mask his true totalitarian agenda and expand the Third Reich's power. This mystification, the abstract argues, found fertile ground among Piłsudski's supporters in Poland, who, driven by an ambition to position Poland as a bulwark against Soviet Russia and an adherence to Western values, harbored false hopes for a policy of neutrality and cooperation with Germany, despite Hitler's inherently anti-Western domestic policies. The abstract suggests a particularly insightful examination of the complex motivations and strategic miscalculations of Polish foreign policy during this tumultuous era. By highlighting Poland's aspiration to serve as a defender of Western civilization while simultaneously deteriorating relations with Western countries due to its own authoritarian leanings, the article promises a nuanced understanding of the Second Polish Republic's geopolitical dilemmas. It effectively draws attention to Hitler's opportunistic use of ideological camouflage, framing his aggression and expansionist aims within a seemingly legitimate defense of shared European values. The distinction made between Piłsudski's approach and that of J. Beck and other supporters, particularly regarding the emphasis on interests over values in international politics, appears to be a crucial element in explaining Poland's ultimate failure to secure loyal allies or gratitude from its adversaries. While the abstract provides a strong foundation, a full article would ideally expand on specific examples of Hitler's "defense of the West" rhetoric and delve deeper into the concrete manifestations of this "mystification" within German propaganda and diplomatic channels. Further elaboration on the differing foreign policy philosophies between Piłsudski and his successors, perhaps with more direct textual evidence, would strengthen the argument regarding Poland's strategic missteps. Nevertheless, the article's timely exploration of how political leaders exploit abstract concepts like "civilization" for nationalistic and authoritarian ends resonates profoundly with contemporary debates. It serves as a valuable historical case study on the dangers of ideological manipulation, the complexities of alliances in the face of emergent totalitarianism, and the often-perilous balance between national interests and declared values in international relations. The proposed analysis clearly offers a significant contribution to the understanding of interwar European diplomacy and the origins of World War II.

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