History of Poland as an Independent Nation

Poland is a land of beautiful countryside and rapidly growing cities. Along with the colorful landscape, Poland also has a very colorful history. The 1795 partition of Poland among Russia, Prussia, and Austria wiped the nation from the map. Poland was controlled by Russia, Austria, and Germany, but after World War I Poland was an independent nation.

In 1906 Josef Pilsudski, the founder of the Polish Socialist Party (PPS), set up organizations that attacked Tzarist officials and raided offices. In Galicia, the Austrian authorities turned a blind eye to the setting up of “sporting” clubs. They were followed by a Riflemen’s Union. In 1912, Pilsudski reorganized these on military lines, and by 1914 there were 12,000 men under arms.

When World War I broke out, the Polish people were divided into the armies of Germany, Austria, and Russia. They were forced to fight among themselves in a war that was not theirs. Poles sympathized for France and Austria but did not like fighting with them on the Russian’s side. They also had little sympathy for the Germans. Pilsudki thought of Russia as the greater enemy and formed Polish Legions to fight independently for Austria. Some

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The Polish people never gave up on their dream of becoming an independent nation. Because of this, Pilsudski’s was arrested. They were hoping for independence soon. The Polish people were mistreated by other countries including Russia, Austria, and Germany, but still managed to fight for their independence. They fought the Germans, but the Polish were surrounded and defeated. In 1918, the Central Powers signed a peace treaty with Russia. It consisted of volunteers from the United States, Canada, and Brazil, together with the Poles who had been conscripted into the German and Austrian armies and were now POW’s. Galician Poles went to fight the Italians when they entered the war in 1915, preventing any clash of conscience. Pilsudski’s Legions were required to swear allegiance to Germany but refused to do it. The Polish people deserved their independence and fought hard for it. It is known as “Miracle on the Vistule,” because it routed the Red Army and saved a weak Europe from Soviet Conquest. Pilsudski died the same year, but his successors continued the policy of dictorial rule. On August 15, 1920 the Polish Army under Pilsudski, Haller, and Sikorski fought the Battle of Warsaw.

The new Polish state faced many problems. This was under General Jozef Dowber Munsnicki.

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Approximate Word count = 1112
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

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