Where Is Poland? | War and the Polish Cause

Chapter 9

War and the Polish Cause

Poles fought for the independence of Poland in Piłsudski'sLegions and in the ranks of the Polish army abroad. At the same time, Polish diplomats secured Poland’s bargaining position on the international stage, while Jan Ignacy Paderewskilobbied for Poland's independence overseas.

Piłsudski's legions in Jędrzejów. Photo: Polona.pl

The Legions – a Polish Military Force

Already in the first days of the war, at the initiative of Józef Piłsudski, the First Cadre Company was formed to fight alongside the Austro-Hungarian army. On 6 August, it crossed the border of into the Russian-held partition, destroying the border stones marking the frontier. After seizing the city of Kielce and making an unsuccessful attempt to push through to Warsaw in order to start an anti-Russian uprising, the First Cadre Company returned to Kraków. Although it did not perform its task, it became the nucleus of the Polish Legions.

The Legions – named in honor of the Polish military units that had been formed in Italy over one hundred years before – took part in many battles against the Russian army, including fierce battles at Rokitna and Kostiuchówka.

In July 1917, most of the Legions' soldiers refused to swear an oath of allegiance to the German Emperor, which resulted in their internment and to Józef Piłsudski’s imprisonment in a German jail.

Poles also fought on other fronts of World War I. In 1917, in France, the so-called Blue Army was formed. It included volunteer soldiers from the Polish immigrant communities in the United States, France, Belgium, and Brazil; there were also some prisoners of war, who had previously been mobilised by the Central Powers. After Germany's defeat, this 70,000-strong army was transported to the newly independent Republic of Poland, where in 1920 it took part in the Polish-Bolshevik War.

At the same time, many Poles living in the United States joined the US Army. When it entered the war, Poles constituted 10% of its personnel.

The Legions' operations and the experience of fighting for independence under a Polish flag paved the way for the formation of a strong Polish Army after the country regained its independence. This quickly formed, million-strong armed force was one of the most powerful in Europe. It proved its usefulness during numerous border conflicts and then, reinforced by thousands of volunteers, it successfully warded off Bolshevik aggression in 1920.

Members of the National Comitee in Paris. Seated in the cetre is Roman Dmowski. Photo: Central Military Archive (CAW)

Political diplomacy - expert level

While soldiers were out fighting battles on the front lines, Polish politicians and diplomats were busily forging the future of Europe. Roman Dmowski, leader of the National Democracy, was one of the key figures.

Unlike Piłsudski, Dmowski correctly saw Poland's fate as being tied to the future of the Triple Entente – the countries of the anti-German alliance. He was also convinced that only an alliance with Russia could save Poland.

The revolution that engulfed Tsarist Russia and the new Soviet government's declaration to rebuild the Polish state opened up new prospects. The objective was then supported by the United Kingdom and France. At that time, Dmowski was already active in the West. On 15 August 1917, he established the Polish National Committee, considered by the Entente to be the representation of the re-emerging Polish state.

It was thanks to Dmowski's diplomatic activity that, in November 1918, Poland was among the victorious states that forged the new order in Europe. It also managed to effectively seek its interests during the Versailles Peace Conference which began in January 1919.

Paderewski seated at an outdoor table, 1915. Photo: Library of Congress

Cultural diplomacy

The Polish cause was also promoted in the wider world by the composer Ignacy Jan Paderewski. When the war broke out, Paderewski – just like Dmowski – perceived Germany as the greatest threat to Poland and hoped that the Entente would help to rebuild Poland. He tried to push Western politicians in this direction and sway public opinion in these countries.

He was particularly active in the United States – the country he was sure would be decisive in determining the outcome of the war and the shape of the post-war Europe. The general opinion is that his contacts and lobbying in America were what gained President Wilson's favour for the Polish cause, which was then clearly expressed in his famous Fourteen Points, declared in 1918. Its 13th point stated:

An independent Polish state should be erected which should include the territories inhabited by indisputably Polish populations, which should be assured a free and secure access to the sea, and whose political and economic independence and territorial integrity should be guaranteed by international covenant.

Paderewski's arrival to Poland in December 1918 became a major event. In Poznań, enthusiastic crowds took to the streets. The German minority's attempt to disrupt the celebration led to the outbreak of the Wielkopolska uprising, which ousted German authorities from the whole region. He was also greeted by crowds in Warsaw. Thanks to his great popularity, he became the prime minister of the Second Polish Republic in January 1919.