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MINISTERSTWO OBRONY NARODOWEJ
POLAND
place of freedom
Introduction of Christianity, 965 A.D. by Jan Matejko (1889)
2
The coat of arms of Poland
(1295-1569)
POLAND’S BAPTISM
AND THE RECOGNITION
OF ITS INDEPENDENCE
A.D. 966
T
966
he lands situated between the Baltic Sea and the Carpathian Mountains, the Oder and Bug rivers, inhabited by the Polanie tribe came
into existence as a powerful country in the 10th century. This is the
first reference to the country of Poland.
In 966 Mieszko I, known as first historical ruler of Poland, opting for
conversion from Rome, not Constantinople, chose the western over the
eastern variant of European culture. This placed Poland between the two
great sibling civilizations of medieval Christian Europe.
A copy of the oldest Polish wrtings ‘Old Świętokrzyskie’ noted in 966:
“Mieszko, the duke of Poland was baptized”.
This year is considered to be the beginning of the evangelization of Poland and also the recognition of its statehood. Missionaries and monks began arriving in the country. The Latin language was introduced, reading and writing
were taught, brick churches and monasteries were built, and
modern agricultural methods were introduced. Savage pagan
traditions were being replaced by efforts to live by the commandments of love as found in the Christian Decalogue.
Duke Mieszko I,
the first historical
ruler of Poland
(by Jan Matejko)
Original polish sword (from the collection of the Polish Army Museum)
3
One of the greatest and bloodiest battles in Medieval European history
1410
THE BATTLE
OF TANNENBERG
A.D. 1410
T
he Teutonic Knights also known as the Order of the Brothers arrived in the Polish lands in the 13th century. Their mission was to
Christianize the Prussians tribes and to protect the northern borders
of Poland. As time passed the power of the Teutonic Knights increased so
much, as to threaten the interests of Poland and Lithuania which were in
personal union together since 1385. The diplomatic and military conflict
lasted many years and reached its peak in the early 15th century when the
Great War with the Order of the Brothers broke out.
The decisive grapple came on 15th July 1410
near Tannenberg (in Polish Grunwald) where the
combined armies of Poland, Lithuania and Ruthenia, commanded by king from Lithuanian Dynasty
Ladislaus Jagiełło, crushed the Teutonic power.
The commonwealth’s victory became the cornerstone of Polish patriotism for many ceturies to come
and has entered the national pantheon of illustrious
historical events.
The Royal banner of King
Ladislaus Jahiełło
Szczerbiec - the coronation sword
that was used in crowning
ceremonies of most Polish
monarchs from 1320
to 1764
The heavy suit of armor presented on the permanent exhibition
in the Polish Army Museum
The biggest monument of the Central Park NYC:
Jagiello the King of Poland (by Stanisław
Ostrowski 1910, to International Fair
in New York 1939)
4
“Bitwa pod Grunwaldem” by Wojciech Kossak (1931)
5
“Astronom Kopernik, czyli rozmowa z Bogiem” by Jan Matejko (1873)
6
T
th
Portrait of Jan Kochanowski
(a woodcut of Alexander
Regulski, 1870)
15 -16
th
The coat of arms of Polish-Lithuanian
Jagiellonian state 1386-1569
he 15th and 16th century was a special time in Poland, for both
political, military and cultural reasons. The Polish-Lithuanian union
governed by the Jagiellon’s dynasty made the largest state in Europe
(with an area of nearly 1 million square kilometers and 14 million citizens),
which was undisputed political and military power of the Central and Eastern Europe. It also went through a period of speedy economic growth. Well
in tune with that, a revival of arts and sciences continued, especially conspicuous in Cracow as the state capital.
The Cracow Academy, established just
after the Prague University and prior to the
one in Vienna, in the late 15th and early
16th century was the leading institution in
developing the country’s intellectual elite,
e.g. Nicolaus Copernicus – outstanding Polish astronomer and author of the revolutionary heliocentric theory of universe and Jan
Kochanowski – probably the greatest Slavic
poet of the pre-modern era.
At the end of 16th century Poland was
at pinnacle of its power and influence with
achievements in culture and the arts matching its renown in military triumphs.
century
POLAND’S
GOLDEN AGE
The Union of Lublin Act,
1st July 1569
7
17
th
century
Stylish and skilled calvary, the finest in the world
POLISH
HUSSARS
P
olish Hussars are the great symbol of the golden age of Polish military. They were astonishingly successful on the battlefields, often defeating enemies which outnumbered them several times. The army
of Maximilian III of Austria realized what this felt like during the battle at
Byczyna in 1588, as much later did the army of Charles IX of Sweden at Kircholm after being defeated in 1605 by a Polish-Lithuanian army three-times
smaller in size. So did the Russians at Klushino in 1610 (this Polish victory
led to a two-year occupation of the Kremlin), the Turks at Khotyn in 1621,
the Tatars at Martyniv and Okhmativ, and finally the Great King Gustavus
Adolphus of Sweden whose armies faced the Polish Hussars.
Polish hussars units were established in the early
16th century, but the decisive period of their existence was connected with the reign of the king of
Hungarian origin, Stephen Batory. He modified the
weaponry the hussars carried, turning the light Serbian cavalry into heavy cavalry, protected with light
armor on specifically chosen horses bred in Poland
– large, fast, hardy and so expensive that only the
wealthiest could afford them. The hussar horsemen
had frames with eagles wings attached to their backs
or saddles and 5 and half meter lances with pennons.
They also carried long sabers, axes and muskets with
leopard, tiger and wolf pelts covering their armor.
The wings and five-foot-long silk pennants made a
terribly loud noise that frighten the enemy’s horses,
when they charged.
In the 18th century the hussars lost their military
importance as a result of the advances in controlled
volleys of musket fire which effectively could stop
their charges.
The coat of arms of the Polish-Lithuanian
Commonwealth (after the Union
of Lublin 1569)
Polish Hussar armor called karacena and a hussar helmet from
the collections of the Museum Polish Army in Warsaw
8
For over a century the Hussars were the lords of the battlefield
“Kircholm” by Wojciech Kossak (1925)
9
“Bitwa pod Wiedniem” by Józef Brandt (1873)
10
The greatest victorious battle which saved Vienna
and finally halted the expansion of the mighty Ottoman Empire
THE BATTLE
OF VIENNA
A.D. 1683
Portrait of John III Sobieski,
king of Poland (unknown
author, from collections
of Polish Army Museum
in Warsaw)
16 83
A
The coat of arms
of Jan III Sobieski,
king of Poland
s far back as the 16th century, Poland was
k nown as t he Bu lwark of Christ ian it y,
protect ing Christ ians from the Musl im
Ottoman Empire and from the Tatars hoards. In
the 17th century Turkey, the mightiest empire in
the world, conquering all in its path, was pressing
into the heart of Europe. In 1683, the Turkish army
laid siege to Vienna and after t wo months the
c it y was ready to capit u l ate. A ca l l f rom t he
Aust r ian emperor L eopold I for help brought
a Pol ish army. Th is batt le was sett led when Sobiesk i led the greatest m i l itar y charge to ever to take place i n Eu rope, consist i ng of
20,000 Polish hussars and Bavarian cavalry, the result of which drove
the Turks from the walls of Vienna and saved Christianity in Europe.
The Viennese victory not only saved the capital of Habsburg Empire.
It also “broke the back” of the Ottoman army which never again was able
to undertake an offensive of similar scale.
“Sobieski pod Wiedniem” by Juliusz Kossak (1882)
11
The first democratic constitution in Europe and second in the world (after the USA)
THE CONSTITUTION
OF MAY 3rd 1791
179 1
The War Order of Virtuti Militari
oldest military decorations in the world still
in use (by Polish King Stanisław August
Poniatowski in 1792)
T
he Polish Commonwealth became a weakened state in the
18th century. The ruination of the wars of the preceding
century, the “golden liberty” or the freedoms and privileges
bestowed upon the nobility which had introduced a form of anarchy weakened Poland’s position in the international arena. In 1772,
the neighbors: Russia, Prussia and Austria
took advantage of it and conducted the First
Partition of Poland.
This set the stage for reformers to make
a great effort to save a quickly disintegrating
situation. They captured a sufficient amount
of power to control the agenda of parliament and enacted many sweeping changes.
This movement culminated in the announcement of the May 3rd Constitution in 1791,
Europe’s first written constitution. It revoked
the privileges of nobility, which have been
supported by the state, and strengthened the
country. And although its life was very short,
this Polish Constitution became the symbol
of modern changes and aspirations for independence for other European countries.
The swearing the May 3rd Constitution 1791 in the Senators’ Hall at the Royal Castle in Warsaw
12
“Konstytucja 3 Maja 1791 roku” by Jan Matejko (1891)
13
“Bitwa pod Racławicami” by Jan Matejko (1888)
14
Portrait of Tadeusz Kościuszko, member of
the Wasow Cadet Corps’ first class and its
most famous alumnus
T
he Polish Commonwealth became a weakened state in the 18th
century. The ruination of the wars of the preceding century, the
“golden liberty” or the freedoms and privileges bestowed upon the
nobility which had introduced a form of anarchy weakened Poland’s position in the international arena. In 1772, the neighbors: Russia, Prussia and
Austria took advantage of it and conducted the First Partition of Poland.
This set the stage for reformers to make a great effort to save a quickly
disintegrating situation. They captured a sufficient amount of power to
control the agenda of parliament and enacted many sweeping changes. This
movement culminated in the announcement of the May 3rd Constitution
in 1791, Europe’s first written constitution.
It revoked the privileges of nobility, which have been supported by the
state, and strengthened the country. And although its life was very short, this
Polish Constitution became the symbol of modern changes and aspirations for
independence for other European countries.
179 4
The banner of the 1st Cracovian Grenadier
Regiment, from Kościuszko’s Insurrection
KOŚCIUSZKO’S
INSURRECTION
A.D. 1794
“Kościuszko z kosynierami” by Wojciech Kossak (1924)
15
1830-1863
THE BATTLE
FOR INDEPENDENCE
T
he invaders very soon found out that
though they had erased the borders
of Poland it would not be easy to
suppress the spirit of the people.
In 1797 with the acceptance of Napoleon Bonaparte, GEN Henryk Dąbrowski
created the Polish Legions in Italy. They were
used on the Italian front fighting against
Austria and in Napoleon’s campaign in
Egypt. In the next year, after France’s victory over Prussia Napoleon created the Duchy
of Warsaw. The newly created and well orga
nized Polish Legions amounted to 100,000 Soldiers under the command of
Prince Józef Poniatowski followed the French Emperor fighting in almost
all of Europe, from Spain to Russia, although he had not fully supported
the Poles in their struggle.
Napoleon’s defeat in Lipzig and Waterloo were also Polish failures. The
final act of the Congress of Vienna in 1815 created the Polish Kingdom out
of the major part of the Duchy of Warsaw territory.
The lack of real autonomy and Russian repressions brought about the
November Uprising in 1830, started by cadets of Officer’s School in Warsaw.
During the Spring of Nations in 1848, other uprisings broke out and
Poles began to be considered, next to the Italians, as the world’s best “freedom fighters”. This was confirmed by the biggest Polish uprising which met
strong international support, named the January Uprising in 1863, The uprising was a total guerilla war against Russian occupants, in which over 1,200
battles and skirmishes took place.
The Poles paid an enormous price for
their attempts to “achieve independence”.
Death sentences were handed out, tens of
thousands of people were exiled to Siberia,
properties were confiscated, the economy
was r uined by forced contributions and
country was ruthlessly brought under the
boot of the Russian Empire.
16
The coat of arms of the Polish
Republic, the November Uprising
period 1831-1832
Prince, Marshal the Empire
Józef Poniatowski
General Henryk Dąbrowski
“Bitwa o Olszynkę Grochowską” by Wojciech Kossak (1928)
17
ADAM
MICKIEWICZ
FRYDERYK
CHOPIN
IGNACY
MARIA
ŁUKASIEWICZ SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE
18
HENRYK
SIENKIEWICZ
JAN
MATEJKO
Polish Romanticism and Positivism
F
or the Poles the armed struggle was not everything. Science and art
were still areas in which the Poles made themselves famous.
Very important role played the Great Emigration, consisted of representatives of the whole nation, especially intelligentsia of noble descent
who deeply believed in quick return to the country and taking up the
disrupted fight. Defeat of November and January Uprising was considered
as just a lost battle and the new efforts and goals appeared on the horizon.
The emigration was often the only way for the commanders and other
activists, fleeing for their lives and personal freedom.
The majority of intelligentsia chose to go to France where the Liberty
fighters met sympathy and assistance. Among them were: Fryderyk Chopin
- one of the greatest composers in the history of music, Adam Mickiewicz the greatest Polish romantic poet, and Maria Skłodowska-Curie - two-time
Nobel Prize laureate for research on radiation and discovery of polonium
and radium and also first woman to receive a doctorate in physics and the
first female professor at the Sorbone.
Some of the Polish intelligentsia members stayed in
Poland. They maintained Polish identity by the work and
constructive patriotism. To this group belonged: Henryk
Sienkiewicz - Nobel Prize laureate in literature, especially
famous for the novel Quo vadis, Jan Matejko - the leading representative of Polish historical painting, and finally
Ignacy Łukasiewicz – known as „Polish Prometheus”, the
creator of the kerosene lamp and the first oil well and refinery in the world.
“God Save Poland” - the patriotic brooch
of the period of national
mourning after the January
Uprising (so-called: black
jewelry)
19
th
The coat of arms of the Polish
Republic, the January Uprising
period, 1863
century
THE GREAT
POLISH PEOPLE
The combat scythe, 1863.
(in the exhibition of Polish
Army Museum in Warsaw)
“Kucie kos” by Artur Grottger (z cyklu “Polonia”, 1863)
19
It was considered virtually a miracle when after 123 years the country regained its independence
The honour badge of
the Józef Piłsudski’s
1st Legion’s Brigade
POLAND REGAINS
INDEPENDENCE
A.D. 1918
T
19 18
he outbreak of World War I in 1914 provided another chance for a
bid for greater freedom. The war in western Europe and the Bolshevik revolution in Russia were exploited by independent activists,
Józef Pilsudski (the creator of Polish Legions fighting against Russians)
Roman Dmowski and Ignacy Paderewski. The Regency Council announced
the independence of Poland.
On 11th November 1918 it
gave the leadership of the country
to Józef Pilsudski and Poles started
taking over the r unning of their
country.
But the difficult times were not
over and more battles had to be
fought: the victorious Polish-Bolshevik war and Greater Poland Uprising,
Silesian Uprising to regain lost Polish
territory. The result was re-created a
country of 27 million inhabitants
with a territory almost half of what
it had been before the Partitions.
Despite the numerous problems resulting from the political aspirations
of the different invaders the country
was unified and the framework for a
modern state was established.
Ignacy Paderewski
Chief of State
The first Marshal of Poland
Józef Piłsudski
The first Polish Main Guard in front of the City
Headquarter in Warsaw, 10th November 1918.
20
Roman Dmowski
“Szarża pod Rokitną” by Wojciech Kossak (1934)
21
One of the twenty most important battles in history
“Cud nad Wisłą, śmierć ks. Ignacego Skorupki pod Ossowem” - “The miracle of the Vistula, the death of the prist Ignacy Skorupka near Ossow”, by Jerzy Kossak, 1934
22
The coat of arms of the Republic
of Poland of the period
1919-1927
THE BATTLE
OF WARSAW
A.D. 1920
192 0
The battle that stopped communist expansion in Europe
The Cross of Valour 1920
A
fter the Battle of Vienna in 1683, the Battle of Warsaw in 1920 was
the second most important historical campaign with participation
of the Polish army that – in the eyes of Europe’s historians – had a
decisive impact on the continent’s political shape.
The two years after regaining independence, on 15th August 1920, Poland stopped the procession of the Bolshevik army that posed a very real
threat to the capital of Poland. If the Bolshevik’s could have captured Warsaw they would automatically install the communist rule, which – in the
project of the Soviet leaders – was to initiate the all-European revolution
embracing the entire continent.
The decisive battle of the Polish-Bolshevik war is known as the Miracle
on the Vistula River. There were many factors and circumstances in favor
of the less than two years old Polish Army which contributed to the final
victory.
The battle has been recognized as a major example of the Polish art of
warfare.
Polish front line under Radzymin
(from the newspaper “ Tygodnik
Illustrowany”)
Poster “Under arms!”
(by Wojciech Główczewski)
23
The defense of Westerplatte - the first battle of WWII
on 17th September 1939 the Soviet army crossed the eastern border
THE WORLD WAR II 1939-1945
The coat of arms of the Republic
of Poland of the period
1927-1939
POLISH SEPTEMBER
1939
T
1939
he defense of Westerplatte was the opening battle of World War II.
This strip of land located at the estuary of the “dead Vistula” on
Gdansk Bay was written into history on the morning of 1st September 1939. At 04.48 the German battle ship “Schleswig Holstein” opened fire
on the Polish Military Ammunition Depot on Westerplatte. This unprovoked
and undeclared act of war was the start of what was to become the bloodiest
confrontation in the history of humankind. The Polish contingency on the
small peninsula guarding Westerplatte were 200 in number. Their operational
order was to hold the ammunition depot for 12 hours. Under constant bombardment from sea, air, and heavy machine gun fire they held out for 7 days.
On 17 th September 1939 (16 days after Nazi
Germany invaded Poland) the Soviet army crossed
the eastern border. The defensive war that the Polish
mounted was short and ended in disaster for Poland,
whose army had not been prepared for military operations of that scale on two separate fronts. Its allies - Britain and France - after declaring war on Germany (on 3rdSeptember), took practically no armed
actions. Poland was left desolate, without the help
from its allies. After the heroic defensive war, the capitulation of Warsaw was signed on 28th September.
The same day the winning armies held a common
army parade in Brest-on-the-Bug River, celebrating
the new “4th partition” of Poland. That was also
when they confirmed the territorial division - Polish
country had already been divided in the secret protocol to the Ribbentrop-Molotov pact, signed 8 days
before the war began.
However, the lost defensive war did not mean a
surrender. The appointment of the government in
exile even in September 1939 maintained the continuity of state power. Its recognition by the WestThe Capital Battalion on the cover
ern Powers had a major importance for the further
“The War Illustrated” (No. 1,
16 Sept. 1939) and his eagle from struggle for national liberation of the Poles. Polish
banner (after burning in Warsaw’s troops started it without delay, displaying characterUprising 1944)
istic valour during the Allied expedition to Narvik in
May 1940 and during the French campaign in which
four Polish divisions took part. In the meantime the
Poles began to create the Polish Underground State.
The phenomena was the strongest underground
forces in the occupied territories, known as the Polish Home Army.
24
The War Order of Virtuti Militari
V Class (Silver Cross)
“Wólka Węglowa”, by Michał Bylina (1972)
25
Katyn forest, the first discovery of the mass graves, 1943
26
THE WORLD WAR II 1939-1945
Officer’s eagle
from the “rogatywka” - garrison’s cap
O
194 0
KATYN MASSACRE
1940
n 5th March 1940 Stalin approved the death sentence for over
25,000 of the Polish intelligentsia members. Most of them were
reserve officers taken captive and held at camps in Kozelsk,
Ostashkov and Starobilsk in the Soviet Union. Approximately 12,000 were
executed by being shot in back of head in the Katyn Forest near Smolensk
the spring 1940.
Very eloquent is also the fact
that the Russians blamed the Germans for this crime for almost fifty
years. In 1990 Russian authorities
confirmed Soviet responsibility for
the massacres, but refused to classify this action as a war crime or an
act of genocide.
Bigger officer’s button
from the coat
The part of Katyń’ Memorial near Smoleńsk
27
1939 -19 45
THE WORLD WAR II 1939-1945
FOR OUR FREEDOM
AND YOURS
No. 303 “Kościuszko”
Polish Fighter Squadron - honour badge
T
he well known phrase spoken by British Prime Minister Winston
Churchill: ”never in the field of human conflict was so much owed
by so many to so few”, referred to the participants of the Battle of
Britain which included many heroic Polish pilots. In 1940 they saved Britain
from German invasion which had a great influence on the course of WW II.
The 151 Polish pilots were the largest group after the English contingency
of aviators in the RAF. They brought down or damaged over 200 Luftwaffe
aircraft.
The Polish Armed Forces in the West consisted of two corps. Among
the units of the 1st Corps, formed in the United Kingdom in 1940, were: 1st
Armoured Division under the command of GEN Stanislaw Maczek, famous
for taking part of the Allied liberation of France and closing the Falaise
pocket as well as 1st Independent Parachute Brigade under the command of
GEN Stanislaw Sosaboski, which took part in Operation Market Garden.
The Polish 2nd Corps was formed in 1943 as a result of the Polish Army
in the East being joined with the Polish units stationed in the Middle East,
notably the Carpathian Rifle Brigade, famous for its defense of Tobruk in
1941. The 2nd Corps as a major unit of the Polish Armed Forces in the West
commanded by GEN Władysław Anders made a name for themselves in the
battle of Monte Cassino, finally opening the route to Rome.
In 1943, when war’s fate still hung in the
balance, Stalin allowed for establishing Polish military formations. By the end of 1944
two Polish armies and one armored corps
were established. They were consisted mainly
from the Poles held at Soviet camps. Their
battlefield route lead from Lenino through
Poland and Czechoslovakia to Berlin.
Not only Polish Soldiers but also cryptologists by breaking the Enigma code
and the transfer of their knowledge to the
French and the British in 1939 contributed
to the Allied victory and a quicker ending of
World War II.
28
The Ist Polish Corps badge
from battle-dress
“Poland“ badge
from battle-dress
Sherman Tank from the Pułk Ułanów Krechowieckich
near Loreto, Italy 1944
No. 306 (City of Toruń) Polish Fighter Squadron pilots at the the aircraft Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX, England, 1942
29
Soldiers from “Grazyna” company of “Harnas” battalion during hard fight on the Police Headquarters and the Holy Cross church on Krakowskie Przedmieście Street, 1-3, Warsaw, 23rd August 1944.
30
The greatest battle waged by the Polish Home Army
THE WORLD WAR II 1939-1945
“Fighting Poland”
the main sign of polish
resistance movement
Original armband from
the Warsaw’s Uprising
(by chor. Tadeusz Przygodzki
ps. “Radwan” from 202
pluton ckm (zgrupowanie
“Żagłowiec”)
P
19 4 4
WARSAW UPRISING
1944
olish people established the strongest underground forces in the
occupied territories, known as the Polish Home Army. On 1st September 1944 it started the greatest battle.
Although the Warsaw Uprising after 63 days of heroic and solitary
battle ended with capitulation it has become the symbol of valor and determination in the struggle for independence. As seen today, although the
uprising attained no significant, military or political objectives, it is a glowing testament to the will and tenacity of Polish citizens during combat. The
flower of Polish youth, intellectuals and the citizens of the capital, were
sacrificed. At the end of the war, 85% of the city lay in ruins, and the major
part of the treasures of Polish culture had been stolen or destroyed. This
tremendous and bloody endeavor was imprinted on the entire post-war
history of Poland.
On 1st August 1944 at 5 p.m., the poorly
armed but well organized, insurgents struck
at the Nazis. The German commander, SSOber-gruppenfuhrer and general of the police, Erich von dem Bach-Zalewski prevented the insurgents in their different districts
from uniting as one army. The Germans
fought the dispersed Home Army units and
in reprisals throughout the time of the uprising slaughtered thousands of civilians.
On 18th August Stalin rejected a plan by
marshals Zukov and Rokossowski to attack Warsaw. Up to 10th of September no allied aircraft were allowed to land on Soviet occupied territory with
aid for the insurgents in Warsaw.
On 2nd October the insurgents capitulated. Approximately 150,000 civilians and
10 thousand soldiers lay dead in the ruins of
the city. Over 5,000 insurgents were wounded with 7,000 missing.
After the German defeat of the Warsaw
Uprising, Hitler ordered the systematic destruction of Warsaw. The purpose of this
order was to show the world what happens
to people and nations that would dare stand
up the Hitler and his Third Riech.
31
The revolution began in Poland
THE FALL
OF COMMUNISM
A.D. 1989
The entrance to the Lenin Shipyard in Gdańsk,
strike of the independent trade union “Solidarity”,
August 1980
(photo by AFP Agency)
P
19 8 9
oland as part of the anti-Nazi coalition was a winner. But according to
the Yalta conference’s decisions, secretly taken by Roosevelt, Churchill
and Stalin in February 1945, Poland as well many other countries of
Central and Eastern Europe was pushed in Russian zone of influence. For
almost a half of century, these states were removed from full membership in
the European community with effects that will take years to overcome. For
the Poles who identified themselves with autonomous countries of Western
Europe the partition era seemed to have returned. Like in the past, they did
not accept communism and started internal war against imposed authority. The
intelligentsia’s and worker’s protests, numerous strikes and street riots became
almost everyday life.
In the 12 years of rule by Stalinists, large estates were abolished, industries
nationalized, schools secularized, and Roman Catholic were persecuted. Farm
productions fell off. Harsh working conditions caused a riot in Poznań, June
1956. In December 1970 workers in port cities rioted because of inflation
and increase cost of living and new incentive wage rules. Next significant
strikes occurred in 1976. In August 1980, after 2 months of labor turmoil
had crippled the country, the Polish government met the demands of striking
workers at The Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk. Among the 21 concessions granted
were the right to form independent trade unions and the right to strike. By
1981, 9.5 million workers had joined the independent trade union “Solidarity”.
Spurred by the fear of the Soviet intervention (as in Czechoslovakia in 1968),
the government on 13th December imposed martial law. Taken by surprise,
6,000 Solidarity activists, including Lech Wałęsa were arrested and interned.
The trade union was banned, all social organizations were suspended, and all
factories, transport and communications militarized. The strikes that erupted
over the country were crushed by using the force. The dreams of freedom
were violently interrupted.
In response to the event in Poland the United States imposed economic
sanctions which were lifted when martial law was suspended in December
1982.
After an outbreak of summer strikes in 1988, at the beginning of 1989 the
communist government began the round-table negotiations. The result of the
agreements were partly free parliamentary elections, won by Solidarity on 4th
June 1989. Lech Walesa’s popularity elevated him to the Presidency of Poland
in December 1990.
The Polish revolution started changes in other countries, firstly in Hungary, next in Czechoslovakia and East Germany. The final of the transformation in this part of Europe was the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9th November
and Causescu’s regime subvertion in Romania in December 1989. Two years
later the Soviet Union collapsed.
32
The “Solidarity” election’s poster
“High Noon 4th June 1989”
(by T. Sarnecki)
Monument to the fallen Shipyard Workers 1970 unveiled on 16 December 1980 near the
entrance to what was then the Lenin Shipyard in Gdańsk
(photo byWojciech Jakubowski, 2015)
33
The 50th Summit of the NATO, Washington DC, 23rd April 1999
34
I
19 9 9
POLAND’S
ACCESSION TO NATO
A.D. 1999
n the early 90’s Polish authorities started the realization of their plan
to improve national security. An important factor in the potential integration into NATO was the participation of the Polish observers and
troops, as well as gained experience in all major peacekeeping and stabilization missions under the UN flag (beginning with Korea in 1953, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Nigeria, by countries of Near East: Egypt, Syria,
Lebanon and ending with the Balkans), and as part of the Multinational
Forces (Haiti, Iraq). Obtained results during these missions provided Poland lasting contribution to the maintenance of the international security.
In 1994 Poland joined the Partnership for Peace and in 1996 adopted
a law on civilian control over the army as well as conducted sweeping
changes and reorganization of the armed forces for future interoperability
with NATO forces. At the same time there were conducted diplomatic
efforts to obtain the consent of the Member States on the Polish accession to the Alliance. In July 1997 Poland was invited to negotiations the
membership, and after the completion of an international agreement with
the Polish accession to NATO, it has been ratified by the parliaments of
16 Member States.
On 12th March 1999 in Independence, Missouri, in the United States,
the foreign ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary handed
over the NATO Accession Protocols to U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright. This way, ten years after the fall of communism, NATO joined
the first countries of the former Warsaw Pact.
For the Poles, who in the past have often felt deserted and betrayed by allies or friends, the NATO membership is a specific act of historical justice.
Participation in the strongest contemporary existing military pact was to
ensure Poland a sense of security and a worthy place among the countries
of the world.
Polish feelings and hopes were perfectly expressed by the President of
the United States who said at the Royal Castle Square in Warsaw:
„Poland is now entering NATO. Never again will others decide your
fate. You have changed the course of history. Now we have returned Poland to Europe and the destiny you deserve” (Bill Clinton, 17th July 1997).
35
2004
In varietate concordia - united in diversity
POLAND IN
THE EUROPEAN
UNION A.D. 2004
For the Polish people, the uniting with the European Union after joining
NATO, was the final demise of the Yalta Treaty which had placed Poland on
the eastern side of the Iron Curtain.
The development of the so called socialist political economy for almost
half of century ended with the bankruptcy of the ideology of “real socialism”
and finally brought about the economic and political collapse of the whole
eastern block.
With the fall of communism, Poland embarked on a series of reforms
and changes in foreign policy, intending to join the EU. On 19 September
1989 Poland signed the agreement for trade and trade co-operation with the
European Community.
After several years of challenging negotiations with adjustments in laws
and improvement in economy, Poland and other countries from the Central
and Eastern Europe were invited to start talks on their accession to the EU.
The negotiation process started on 31 March 1998 and lasted to December
2002. Its final was the Accession Treaty signed in Athens on 16 April 2003
and the ratification of that Treaty in the Polish European Union membership
referendum in June 2003.
Since 1 May 2004 Poland has become the member of EU. This fact has
opened new chapter in history of Poland.
In terms of territory and population, Poland is the sixth largest country
in the EU. With a strong, steadily growing economy, the politicians occupying
key positions in the European Union and modernized and trustworthy army,
Poland is a major ally and player on the international scene.
36
37
2
THE BATTLE OF TANNENBERG A.D. 1410
4
POLAND’S GOLDEN AGE
6
POLISH HUSSARS
8
Contents
POLAND’S BAPTISM
AND THE RECOGNITION OF ITS INDEPENDENCE A.D. 966
38
THE BATTLE OF VIENNA A.D. 1683
10
THE CONSTITUTION OF MAY 3TH 1791
12
KOSCIUSZKO’S INSURRECTION A.D. 1794
14
THE BATTLE FOR INDEPENDENCE
16
THE GREAT POLISH PEOPLE
18
POLAND REGAINS INDEPENDENCE A.D. 1918
20
THE BATTLE OF WARSAW A.D. 1920
22
THE WORLD WAR II 1939-1945 - POLISH SEPTEMBER 1939
24
THE WORLD WAR II - KATYN MASSACRE 1940
26
THE WORLD WAR II 1939-1945 - FOR OUR FREEDOM AND YOURS
28
THE WORLD WAR II 1939-1945 - THE GREATEST BATTLE
WAGED BY THE POLISH HOME ARMY
30
THE FALL OF COMMUNISM A.D. 1989
32
POLAND’S ACCESSION TO NATO A.D. 1999
34
Text: Zbigniew Zielonka, Krzysztof Rumiński
Reviewer: Prof. Tadeusz Panecki
Design & Layout: Tomasz Sarnecki
Publisher: Military Center for Civic Education
Warsaw 2016
Bibliography:
A painted history of Poland, Warsaw 2009.
Biskupski M. B., The History of Poland, Westport 2000.
Bojczuk-Czachór S., 15 lat Polski w NATO, Warszawa 2014.
Bubczyk R., A History of Poland in Outline, Lublin 2006.
Lukowski J., Zawadzki H., A Concise History of Poland, Cambridge 2006.
The Polish Symbols, Warsaw 2014.
Zamoyski A., The Polish Way. A Thousand-year History of the Poles and their Culture, New York 2007.
40