Question about Polish independence after WWI

[lbj]

If the Bolsheviks never took power in Russia, does that mean that the other powers would not have allowed Poland to be created?

I recall reading that Clemenceau wrote in a newpaper in 1914 that "one of the greatest crimes in history is about to be undone". Clearly the French and the Americans (i don't think the British so much) wanted an independent Poland. But creating Poland would have taken a lot of territory away from Russia. And Russian Poland had Warsaw, so Poland could not have been created without Russian territory. But Russia would have been on the winning side of the war without the Bolsheviks and they would not have been punished by having land taken away.

[Eugen Pinak]

Russian Empire agreed to have independent Poland too, because it would clip large portions of German and Austrian lands. The idea of "anti-German Polish buffer" is not post-WW I, as many believe now.

[lbj]

So Russia was really fighting for the Poles on the German-Austrian front?

[Molobo]

No.Nobody from the occupiers was.Germany and Austro-Hungary proclaimed their support for Poland at almost the same time.It was just for getting soldiers and support from the population.

[Lach]

First, Russian Provisional Government rejected the claimes on Poland in 1917, so Poland must be created at least on ex-Russian lands. Second, the Russian Army had massive (for the revolutionary times) Polish national formations (at first one, than 3 Corps) which proclaimed themselves fighting FOR the INDEPENDANCE of POLAND (without any mention about autonomy, independance!). These forces could not let Russian Army to Poland. Other case, the Russian Army after 1917 REALLY could not enter the Polish territory for it was weak like the Russian govt.

[Benoit Douville]

You know the only positive thing after World War I is the fact that Poland recovered their Independence since 1772!

Regards

[Lach]

Not 1772.
1795 is the year Poland was totally conquered

[Benoit Douville]

But it started in 1772 when Prussia, Russia and Austria agreed to annex parts of the country.

Regards