Political thought of polish underground national movement during World War II

Nationalists were one of the numerous Polish political movements during World War II. Actively engaging in the fight against the occupying forces, they suffered heavy losses, but does not prevent them in the creation of significant heritage in the field of political thought. The aim of the article is to present the political thought of Polish national movement during the Second World War. Historical, qualitative and comparative methods were used. The whole has been divided into several parts,, in which author examines the with issues of political thought as: Polish war aims, vision of state borders, ratio to national minorities, vision of the political system, economic vision, vision of national security, education and upbringing. The whole article has to show how rich the heritage of those generations.

Social Transformations in Post–1939 Gdynia in the Lives of Polish National Movement Members and Supporters

In 1939 Gdynia was one of the biggest centres gathering supporters of the National Camp (Endecja). After the outbreak of the Second World War, in changed circumstances, the burgher community integrated around the concept of national Catholic identity did not cease to exist in a day. Thanks to the application of the biographical method, it is possible to establish its later history: the community of the National Party activists and supporters was not permanently disintegrated in years 1939–1945 but revived itself after 1945. Final disintegration of Gdynia pre-war burgher community did not take place earlier than in years 1946–1949. Ruling communists employed a wide variety of repressive measures not only against the persons undertaking anti- -government activity, but also against professional and social groups treated as „reactionary” (doctors, lawyers, traders, real property owners). Analysis of the statistical samples revealed that arrests, displacements, discrimination and non-formal actions led to liquidation of the private sector in trade, and disintegration of the community being the base for the Endecja in the pre-war period. From sociological standpoint, described social transformations bore serious consequences: firstly, the continuity of development of the conservative burger community was disrupted; secondly, disintegration of the Endecja burgher community meant the failure in possible symbiosis of local, Kashubian identity with national, collective identity. The ways of two social groups: local Kashubians and new Gdynia inhabitants separated.

Polish Politics Of History In The Assessment Of The Contemporary National Movement

The aim of this article is to analyse the political thought of the contemporary National Movement in terms of politics of history. The main research hypothesis assumes that the National Movement promotes its own vision of politics of history. The properly shaped politics of history is primarily intended to shape national identity and facilitate the definition of boundaries of the national community. The actions taken by other political entities operating in Poland were assessed from this perspective. They were often accused of conducting anti-national activities. Liberals were criticised for ignoring history and accepting its critical form, while conservatives were accused of lacking organisational capacity and being submissive to competing models of the politics of history shaped by other nations. Hence the offensive character and the justification for using the language of disfavour or even hostility and hatred. The national interest, remaining the main category of political thought, often became an argument that made polemic or discussion impossible. Attempts to pass over uncomfortable historical events or to shift meanings were not avoided either. The differentiation of national groups facilitated discussion within the milieu, but it practically did not play an independent role within Polish political thought, reinforcing the message associated with the conservative model of politics of history and, in the political sphere, often supporting the activities of Law and Justice. Recognising the usefulness of politics of history, however, it was emphasised that it is not a shortterm political event-type activity but a long-term political work.