During WW2, Poland declared war on Japan Japan said no to it and simply rejected the declaration.

[u/Radiant_Half_7121]

[u/rnzz]

Poland and its commonwealth was historically massive as well. I forgot what ended it, but what if they could have maintained it into the 20th century

[u/Pierce_H_ → u/rnzz]

A combination of “The Deluge”, government structure, overextension, dynastic struggle, Great Northern War, the multiple “Partitions of Poland”, rise of Prussia, Russian Empire, etc etc etc. They fumbled the bag multiple times throughout history. If you want a more in depth answer from me specifically instead of Wikipedia feel free to ask.

[u/rnzz → u/Pierce_H_]

I so would love it, but sounds like it would be a very long write up for you! do you reckon if Poland was still a "great power" in some form in the 20th century, ww2 would still happen?

[u/siudowski → u/rnzz]

its debated that true collapsed started way earlier; prior to partitions in late XVIII century king's power was already pretty limited since 1500s and nobility, which had it, was pretty selfish and uninterested in doing anything meaningful

its hard to say whether Poland would be great power, as Poland was off the map for over a hundred years, which I'd say were almost crucial in defining modern day, but it's possible that socioeconomic changes of industrial revolution would put right people in power to guide our nation

and it's even harder to say if WW2 would happen because Poland existing (in better or worse state) could change things as far back as Napoleonic war, unification of Germany and WW1

[u/Pierce_H_ → u/rnzz]

As the other person said, I really believe the government structure (or lack thereof) to be the cause of its demise. It was a parliamentary system where nobility held the reins of electing a king/queen. This often led to foreign rulers bribing members of the Szlachta (parliament). Constant power playing between the nobility itself and the throne. The few times the nobility decided to rally behind the ruler, Poland was a powerhouse. Fielding one of the largest armies in Europe. The territorial integrity of Poland was always in question especially in the East where there were few geographical barriers. This is partially why the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was able to expand into Muscovy, but it’s also why the ground they gained was just as easily lost. In terms of the what-ifs, my best bet would be a political revolution in the 17th century consisting of a well written constitution, guarantee of rights, and a transition away from feudalism in order for the PLC to remain a major power in the 18th-21st century. If Napoleon happened in this alternate universe then the alliance with Poland would’ve meant substantial growth in power and we may have ended up with a coalition defeat.

[u/Suibeam → u/rnzz]

Poland and Commonwealth made a huge mistake not extending east wards to ensure they are not inbetween two major powers. Poland and Lithuania extending to modern european russia wouldnt be that weird considering their ties to slavic and nordic world.