Poland (Reality 706)

**Poland** is a country located in Central Europe.

## History

Poland retained the same history as its original counterpart until the timeline's point of divergence in 2021.

### Invasion of Belarus

In 2021, the world watched in horror as Belarus descended into chaos following the collapse of its government. As Russia moved to occupy the eastern regions of the country, Poland and its NATO allies knew they had to act fast to prevent the spread of Russian aggression. In a bold move, Polish forces launched a surprise invasion of Belarus, catching the Russians off guard and gaining a foothold in the country. What followed was a series of intense skirmishes and battles as Polish troops fought tooth and nail against the Russian occupiers. Despite facing overwhelming odds, the Polish military held their ground and slowly but surely pushed the Russian forces back. However, as the conflict dragged on, it became clear that a ceasefire was necessary to prevent further bloodshed. After weeks of intense negotiations, a ceasefire was finally reached - but it came at a steep price. The division of Belarus was recognized, with Russia maintaining control of the eastern regions and Poland taking control of the west. For Poland, the victory was bittersweet. While they had succeeded in pushing back Russian aggression and securing a strategic foothold in the region, they were also left with the difficult task of rebuilding a war-torn nation and navigating the complex political landscape of a divided Belarus.

### World War 3

In 2022, the world was once again plunged into chaos as Russia launched a devastating invasion of Ukraine. NATO responded by declaring war on the Russian Federation, and Poland found itself on the front lines of the conflict. For months, Polish forces fought bravely against the Russian invaders, but the tide of the war soon turned against them. Russia's superior military might and advanced weaponry proved too much for Poland to handle, and the nation was forced to capitulate. In the aftermath of the invasion, Russia established a puppet state called the Federation of Greater Poland, with Russian-backed leaders installed to govern the country. But the Polish people were not willing to accept this new order, and resistance groups soon began to form in the country's major cities. The western allies, too, were determined to liberate Poland from Russian control, and in December of 2022, they launched Operation Backstabber. Allied troops crossed the Polish border from Germany, reentering the nation and engaging in fierce fighting with Russian forces in Poznan. Despite their best efforts, however, the western allies were unable to overcome the Russian military's superior numbers and technology, and were forced to temporarily reorganize their forces. As the allies regrouped, Polish resistance members began to rise up against the Russian occupation, launching guerrilla attacks on Russian targets throughout the country. The battle of Piotrkow was a particularly brutal and bloody engagement, with both sides suffering heavy losses and the battle ultimately ending in a draw. As the western allies resumed their front line in Poland, tensions began to rise between Poland and its German neighbors. In a controversial move, Germany annexed west Prussia from Poland and terminated the Polish resistance in the area, sparking outrage and condemnation from around the world. To compensate for its losses, Poland was promised land from Belarus and Ukraine, as well as the Kaliningrad region. With the support of the western allies, NATO launched Operation Spring Sword and invaded mainland Russia, hoping to finally put an end to the conflict and secure its freedom once and for all.

### Aftermath and Interwar

The end of the war saw Poland in total ruins, with many of its cities and infrastructure destroyed beyond repair. The country fell under the sphere of influence of Germany, which provided much-needed aid and support in the rebuilding process. However, the country's newfound dependence on Germany led many to fear that Poland would fall under authoritarian rule, with the government wielding unchecked power and suppressing dissent. As international organizations collapsed, most nations were left to fend for themselves, leading to increased tensions and conflicts between neighboring states. In one such instance, Ukraine invaded Poland in an attempt to reannex the city of Lviv, which had been under Polish control since the end of the war. Germany, Poland's newfound ally, came to its defense, while France sided with Ukraine. Fighting broke out in the Lviv region, with Ukraine ultimately emerging victorious in the battle. However, Poland refused to give up without a fight and launched a counteroffensive, recapturing the city and pushing Ukrainian forces back across the border. Eventually, the two nations agreed to end the conflict with the signing of the Treaty of Budapest, with Ukraine providing war reparations to Poland but no land concessions. Despite the initial hostilities, the governments of Poland and Ukraine were able to reestablish good relations, working together to rebuild their nations and promote peace in the region.

### European Wars

During the European War between France and Germany, Poland provided military support to Germany, with the war ultimately ending in a ceasefire. Despite the political tensions and conflicts that had defined Poland's recent history, the nation emerged as a key player in the shifting power dynamics of Europe, with a newfound sense of strength and resilience that would carry it into the future.
After the beginning of the Second European War, Poland joined the war on the side of its ally, Germany. Poland invaded French-ally Ukraine, as well as supported Hungary and Bulgaria's invasion of Romania. After Ukraine's armistice, Poland annexes more land from the nation. Later, Poland then invades Ukraine again, with support from Russia and the rest of Germany's Continental Power alliance. Poland then suffers a military coup, which leads the country's withdrawal from the war, although they later rejoin. Poland then invades Belarus, annexing some land. Poland then joins the Anti-War League, with many other nations on all sides in order to end the war. Poland then exits the league once the war ends and remains in the Continental Powers alliance.