What was the significance of the Anglo-French Guarantee to Poland announced in March 1939?

The significance of the Anglo-French Guarantee to Poland announced in March 1939 lies in its clear expression of commitment from Britain and France to support Poland against potential aggression from Germany. This guarantee was a response to the growing threat posed by Nazi Germany, particularly after the Munich Agreement of 1938, which had illustrated the dangers of appeasement. By pledging to defend Poland, the British and French governments sought to deter Germany from further expansion into Eastern Europe, signaling a shift from a policy of appeasement to one of collective security.

The guarantee also represented an acknowledgment of Poland’s strategic importance as a buffer state and aimed to uphold the balance of power in Europe, demonstrating that Britain and France were willing to take a firmer stance against Hitler's ambitions. This alignment with Poland effectively committed these western powers to military action should Germany invade, thereby heightening tensions in Europe and ultimately contributing to the conditions that led to the outbreak of World War II.