What was treaty with Poland?

The Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between the Soviet Union and Poland, also known as the Pact of Assistance or the March Pact, was a mutual assistance pact between the Soviet Union and the Second Polish Republic. The treaty was signed on March 16, 1939, and was seen by the Soviet Union as a way to deter possible German aggression against the Polish Republic and establish itself as the dominant regional power in Eastern Europe.

The treaty had three main provisions:

1. Both countries agreed to come to each other's assistance in the event of an attack by a third party.

2. They also agreed to consult with each other on any international issues that could affect their joint interests.

3. The treaty was to remain in effect for 10 years.

The treaty was controversial from the start. The Polish government was concerned that it would limit Poland's independence, while the Soviet government was worried that the treaty would not be effective enough to deter German aggression. Despite these concerns, the treaty was signed and ratified by both countries.

The treaty was tested less than two months later, when Nazi Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. The Soviet Union did not immediately come to Poland's aid, and on September 17, the Soviet Union itself invaded Poland from the east. This action effectively ended the Second Republic of Poland and led to the outbreak of World War II.