Following the invasion of Poland, Freie Stadt Danzig Danzig (now Gda?sk, Poland) is annexed to Nazi Germany.

Historically, World War II began on September 1, 1939, following the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany. Two days after the invasion, an often overlooked but significant event took place: the annexation of the Free City of Danzig, locally known as ‘Freie Stadt Danzig’, into Nazi Germany. Today, this city is recognized as Gdańsk in modern Poland, and its vibrant history echoes the narrative of political tension, uncapped aggression, and relentless warfare.

The buildup to the annexation offers as much intrigue as the event itself. The Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, established Danzig as a Free City, effectively detaching it from Germany and placing it under the auspices of the League of Nations. Populated predominantly by Germans, Danzig was an important seaport situated in the so-called ‘Polish Corridor’ – a strip of land providing Poland with access to Baltic Sea. However, its strategic location made the city a bone of contention between Nazi Germany, who wanted to reincorporate the city, and Poland, who feared losing access to the sea.

Danzig’s annexation to Nazi Germany in 1939 was largely an incidental outcome of the invasion of Poland. Hitler had previously made demands for the annexation of the Free City to Germany and the construction of an extraterritorial highway through the Polish Corridor. Poland’s refusal to comply with these demands arguably provided a catalyst for Nazi Germany’s invasion. Two days after the invasion unfolded, on September 2, Danzig’s Nazi-led senate declared its reincorporation into the German Reich – a move welcomed by Hitler who was eager to reclaim the German-populated city.

Unraveling the impact of this annexation reveals its strategic importance to Nazi Germany. The annexation meant that Poland lost its only port, hindering the country’s access to sea trade and supplies coming from Allied nations. For Germany, taking control of Danzig was symbolic – a move towards unifying German territories and people under one Reich. It further signified the disdain for the Treaty of Versailles, seen by the Nazis as punitive and unacceptable.

The repercussions of Danzig’s annexation were felt well beyond the city’s borders and over many years. For the inhabitants of the city, now dubbed ‘Reichsgau Danzig-West Prussia’, life changed dramatically under Nazi rule. The Jewish population was severely persecuted, with many sent to concentration camps. Polish and Kashubian minorities, who had enjoyed relative peace, underwent forced Germanization.

Even after the end of World War II, Danzig’s story did not end. At the Potsdam Conference, it was agreed that the city would become part of newly-drawn Poland, amid large-scale population transfers. The diverse cultural heritage of the city experienced a new chapter defined by the dramatic events of the preceding years.

Examining the annexation of Danzig by Nazi Germany shines a light on the myriad ways political ambition and territorial claims can fuel and escalate conflict. It underscores the devastating effects of such policies on the local population and the shaping of national and regional narratives. Furthermore, the annexation of Danzig and the broader invasion of Poland in 1939 serves as an important reminder of the human cost of aggressive nationalism and disregarded international agreements.

Used strategically by the Nazis in their pursuit of lebensraum, or ‘living space’, the Free City of Danzig was caught in the crossfire of a larger geopolitical conflict that would reshape Europe and the world. The scars of this tragic history, silently echoed in the city’s streets today, continue to serve as a stark reminder of the violence, suffering, and displacement that arise from political aggression. It is commemorations and remembrances of these histories that fuel our collective commitment to peace and respect for national sovereignty.