Almost half of today's Poland even used to be Germany until the 20th century (more than half if to count Austria as a German country). Was Germany also "the East"?
Poland as a country was pretty much created by Germany (Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation) in the 10th. Even the first Polish cities were largely German speaking, in addition to Latin, and the long time capital Kraków (Cracovia) in particular, and used the German laws and customs. Similar to Czechia (Bohemia).
That's also how my ancestors came from Germany to Poland.
While any Russification only took place from 1772 to 1989.
Are you looking at a Cold War map?
Almost half of today's Poland even used to be Germany until the 20th century (more than half if to count Austria as a German country). Was Germany also "the East"?
Poland as a country was pretty much created by Germany (Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation) in the 10th. Even the first Polish cities were largely German speaking, in addition to Latin, and the long time capital Kraków (Cracovia) in particular, and used the German laws and customs. Similar to Czechia (Bohemia).
That's also how my ancestors came from Germany to Poland.
While any Russification only took place from 1772 to 1989.