The defeat of Germany and Austria-Hungary in the First World War; coupled with the revolution in Russia, meant the defeat of the three partitioning powers which had erased Poland from
the map of Europe 123 years earlier. Poles took advantage of the turning tide of history and won their independence. Poland was reborn.
The Rebirth
of Poland
The Polish-Lithuanian state, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, was once one of the largest political entities in Europe. It was a home to Poles, Lithuanians, Ruthenians, Jews, Germans, Tatars, Latvians and Armenians. The ethos of freedom reflected in religious tolerance ensured the co-existence of these groups.
In the late 18th century, the three states neighbouring Poland: Prussia, Austria and Russia stoked religious antagonisms and divided the Polish territory amongst themselves.
For 123 years, the Polish state did not exist on the map of Europe. The partitioners did all they could to limit use of the Polish language and erase Polish traditions and culture. Poles fought numerous times to regain independence, but the alliance of the three partitioners made futile all such attempts. Nevertheless, the Poles sustained their identity thanks to artists, politicians, social activists, and clergymen, as well as thousands of ordinary people who cultivated the memory of a lost motherland.
Not until the Great War did Austria and Germany find themselves on the opposite side to that of Russia. Even though the Poles had to fight in the ranks of the partitioners’ armies, international events provided opportunities for Poland to regain its independence.
During the Great War, Polish troops, including iJózef Piłsudski’s Polish Legions, were formed within the armies of the partitioners. In the USA, iIgnacy Jan Paderewski, a celebrated pianist, lobbied on behalf of the Poland question. The Polish National Committee headed by iRoman Dmowski and the Polish army commanded by Józef Haller were established with the support of the French and the British.
Soon the entire world began to discuss the imperative of a re-emergent Poland. US President Woodrow Wilson proposed fourteen points of principles for peace in Europe. Point 13 contained plans for an independent Polish state. On 10 November 1918, Józef Piłsudski returned to Warsaw from prison in Magdeburg. The next day he assumed power. The truce which ended the Great War was signed on 11 November. It is a symbolic date, marking the rebirth of the Polish state.
Halina Regulska
Kajetan Morawski