Colonial expansion or vital assistance? French capital and interwar Poland
Colonial expansion or vital assistance? French capital and interwar Poland

Summary/Abstract: France was a major source of foreign capital for interwar Poland, both through government loans,and private investment. The French presence was particularly strong in the extraction and paperindustries, in energy production, and in banking. French engagement was partly a consequence ofthe alliance between the two countries, and can be seen as an element of France’s security policy inthe East. Poland was forced to give its ally costly concessions, including special treatment of Frenchcompanies. Hence, Poland can be seen as the object of quasi-imperial expansion, and in the interwarperiod the left accused France of colonial policies, Nonetheless, Poland remained the initiating sideof many negotiations with the French. In Polish historiography this economic foreign policy towardsFrance is often interpreted as a series of costly mistakes. Considering the difficult situationon interwar financial markets, Polish policy can be seen, however, as successful, as it allowed thenew state to achieve many of its goals. These included taking over German companies in Silesia,significant investments in infrastructure (including the harbour in Gdynia and the coal trunk line),and outfitting the Polish army. The high cost of French capital was a consequence of the asymmetryof power, and the large needs of the new state.

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