The text examines the conflicted relationships between Prussia, Russia, Austria, and Poland, beginning in the 18th century. Poland lost independence for 123 years in the late 1700s, after partitioning among Russia, Prussia (later Deutschland or Germany), and Austria. In 1918, following Germany’s defeat during World War I, other countries ceded claims to Poland, which regained its sovereignty as a nation. Additionally, France and Britain committed to protecting the emerging state. Poland became a refuge for minority peoples leading up to 1939, holding the largest Jewish population—3.3 million Jews—in Europe.

After overrunning Czechoslovakia in March 1939, the German Nazis prepared to invade Poland and were, at this point, met with no military resistance from other European countries. As Ana Stuart notes, the Nazis perceived themselves superior to the Polish people, both its Jewish and Christian citizens. While the September 1, 1939, invasion of Poland signaled the commencement of World War II, Poland itself was incapable of repelling the German invasion, finding itself once again submitting to outside rule, which lasted through 1944.

Along with the Polish Home Army, the Polish Resistance—noted for its successes against German infrastructure during the war—brought about the Warsaw Uprising in August 1944. Resistance leaders knew that Russian troops were close to the city and assumed they would join the Poles to rout the Nazis.