Q&A · 2:00:03-2:00:31

Stalin's Polish timing after a hypothetical German delay

The Soviet-Japanese conflict supplies a separate timing constraint within the counterfactual over Poland.

Question

How would Stalin react to a German delay after Hitler had promised him eastern Poland?

Short answer

The Soviet conflict with Japan supplies another timing constraint, so a delay could also give Stalin more time.

Notes

Stalin's promised share of eastern Poland is only one part of the timing problem after Hitler's hypothetical death. Ending the Soviet conflict with Japan supplies a separate constraint. The historical move into Poland followed the end of that fighting, so the German succession would occur alongside a Soviet timetable shaped by events in the east. A delay could give Stalin additional time too.