Independent Polish State – Polish Freedom

To the Polish people. Manifesto of the Movement for Defence of Human and Citizen’s Rights

Karolina — Wed, 11 May 2022 12:34:27 +0000

A wave of protests swept over Poland in June 1976 after the announcement of an increase in groceries’ prices. The authorities eventually resigned from price changes but introduced repression against the protesting workers. This met with a quick response from the intelligentsia, who organised financial and legal support for the repressed and soon started forming opposition on the basis of the support movement. The Workers’ Defence Committee (Komitet Obrony Robotników, KOR) announced its establishment on 22 September 1976, and the Movement for Defence of Human and Citizen’s Rights (Ruch Obrony Praw Człowieka i Obywatela, ROPCiO) was formed on 25 March 1977, after the Appeal to the Polish People had been signed by 18 parties. The latter’s existence was announced on the following day.

The founders of ROPCiO referred to the Helsinki Accords signed by the authorities of the Polish People’s Republic. The signatories of the document committed themselves to protecting human rights, which is why ROPCiO announced that they would conduct activities like information campaigns, appeals and letters of protest to force the authorities to obey the Helsinki Accords.

The rhetoric and activities undertaken by the movement were distinguished by references to patriotic traditions. For instance, its members organised the celebrations of the Independence Day, which had been formally abolished by the communists in the 1940s. The ambitions of the movement leaders were, however, much greater. Its foremost politicians, such as Andrzej Czuma, Leszek Moczulski, Aleksander Hall or Wojciech Ziembiński referred to the traditions of pre-war political movements: the nationalist one and the one represented by Józef Piłsudski. They soon adopted strictly political slogans as well, including the calling for the independence of Poland. ROPCiO activists started publishing Opinia, one of the first underground periodicals.

The establishment and activities of ROPCiO met with reserve on behalf of KOR co-founders. Its members were accused of trying to break up the Committee or even serving the Security Service. This was caused by both political (with ROPCiO being clearly rightist) and social differences. The dispute also led to division within ROPCiO itself, whose members became soon involved in other opposition initiatives, for instance the Movement of Young Poland or the Confederation of Independent Poland.

Statement from the Polish government

Karolina — Wed, 11 May 2022 11:06:38 +0000

The Interim People’s Government of the Polish Republic run by Jędrzej Moraczewski, was established by Józef Piłsudski on 18th November 1918. In political terms, it partly continued the policies of the Lublin-based government led by the Prime Minister Ignacy Daszyński. Moraczewski’s Government declared the establishment of a Legislative Sejm, to be elected through a secret, direct, equal, universal, and proportional vote, by popular suffrage. The main task this leadership team assumed upon themselves was to bring about a consolidation of all the Polish territories, rebuild the industry and economy, form a strong army, and unify the state administration, judiciary and fiscal systems. The Government’s programme, announced on 21st November 1918, declared a reform of the economic and social system, which was to be based on the democratic principles ever since; announced expropriation of the large landed-property owners, nationalisation of mines and of the entire industry, introduction of eight-hour working time and the right to strike. The radical agenda of the Moraczewski team caused protests among conservatives; this, in turn, led to the Government’s dismissal on 16th January 1919, as Poland was in desperate need to be represented by a consolidated and unanimous team at the then-nearing peace conference. All the same, a considerable portion of what the Government had announced as part of its programme was eventually put into effect by way of decrees which were countersigned by Józef Piłsudski, the Provisional Chief of State, prior to the formation of the Legislative Sejm.

Government of Jędrzej Moraczewski, photography in public domain

Manifesto of the People’s Government of the Republic of Poland

Karolina — Wed, 11 May 2022 11:04:21 +0000

Headed by Ignacy Daszyński as Premier, the Provisional People’s Government of the Polish Republic was established on November 7, 1918 in Lublin by a group of independence-oriented Leftist activists (PPS, PSL Wyzwolenie). This Government did not however attain a nation-wide reach, and functioned alongside other power centres, among them the Polish Liquidation Commission in Galicia. The Manifesto called for the dissolution of the Regency Council and the creation of an independent people’s republic. It declared the equal rights of all citizens, irrespective of their nationality or religion, and granted freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and association, and the right to strike. It announced an eight-hour workday in industry, the crafts, and trade and declared it would immediately set about reorganising territorial self-government and forming a people’s militia. The Provisional Government moreover demanded that German troops leave the lands of Poland and expressed its will to resolve all territory-related disputes with neighbouring countries by way of negotiations.

Although the Provisional People’s Government of the Polish Republic was formed by political colleagues of Józef Piłsudski, it did not win his support because of its party-character. Ignacy Daszyński therefore submitted his resignation to Józef Piłsudski on November 12, the day after Piłsudski had returned to Poland from Magdeburg.

Document from the collection of the State Archive in Lublin

Note of the creation of an independent Polish State

Karolina — Tue, 10 May 2022 11:54:18 +0000

The Polish Republic disappeared from the map of Europe in 1795 as a result of its territory being annexed by its three neighbours: Russia, Prussia and Austria. Many generations of Poles have tried to resurrect the state since then on, their aspirations being of different nature, including political, diplomatic and military activities (along with uprisings). But the solidarity of the partitioners made their success impossible. The situation changed only during the First World War, when the partitioners found themselves in opposing military camps. From the first days of the war, Poles started forming military groups aimed at bringing independence back to their country. Józef Piłsudski was especially active in building the Polish military force. The activities were supported also by a diplomatic campaign. Among its most important results was the statement of principles for peace outlined by President Thomas Woodrow Wilson in January 1918. One of the Fourteen Points announced the erection of an independent Polish State.

On 11 November 1918, an armistice was signed on the Western Front, which virtually ended the war. Józef Piłsudski returned to Warsaw from a German prison a day earlier. Thanks to his unquestionable authority, most of the Polish pro-independence centres submitted to his will. Piłsudski took command of the emerging Polish Army on 11 November and seized civilian control on 14 November. The process of developing the structures of independent Poland began.

It was already on 16 November that Józef Piłsudski notified the most important authorities about the creation of an independent Polish State. It was an urgent matter because preparations for the peace conference ending the war had already begun. The presence of Polish State representatives at the conference was needed to ensure geographical solutions that would be beneficial for Poland.

Document from the collection of the National Library