Glossary

January Uprising of 1863- Polish uprising against Tsarist Russia. The uprising began on January 23, 1863 and lasted until 1864, when the last insurgents were arrested. The uprising was sparked by the Poles’ outrage at the Russian Army’s imposed draft of the Polish people. The uprising, which was started by a group of younger Poles, soon gathered support from politicians and high ranking polish officials. The insurrectionists failed to win any major military victory because they were outnumbered and lacked outside support. However, the insurrectionists succeeded in nullifying the effect of the Tsar’s abolition of serfdom in the Russian partition, which was designed in an attempt to win the Polish peasants over from the Polish nation.

 Era of positivism in Poland- After the uprising in 1864, the severe punishments imposed on the Poles led many of them to abandon armed struggle and embrace the idea of  “organic work”, which meant self-improvement through economic and cutural reform. It lasted until the end of 20^th century, and became known as the era of Positivism in Poland. The era is known for its progress in literature. During this era, the idea began to surface that nationalism must be regained gradually so as to create a stable foundation for the future of Poland.

 Romanticism – The artistic element of 19^th-century European culture that exerted the strongest influence on Polish nationalism. The Romantic Movement emphasized the nationalist aspect of culture and created a general disdain for the conservative political order of post-Napoleonic Europe. Under this influence, Polish literature flourished in the works of a school of nineteenth-century Romantic poets, led by Adam Mickiewicz.

 Boleslaw Prus- A leading Polish journalist during the era of Positivism. As a writer, Prus advised his collegues and Poles that Poland’s place in the world would be found through its contributions to science, tecnology, economy and culture.

 Adam Mickiewicz- One of the greatest and most influential Polish poets and writers during the “organic works” era. During the era of positivism in Poland's history, Mickiewicz sustained the spirit of the nation, healing its suffering and instilling in its people a hope for a better future.

 Roman Dmowski – A Polish politician, statesman and the co-founder of the right-wing National Democratic Party. Dmowski was born in 1864 and died in 1939. He was the political opponent of Jozef Pilsudki, and he believed in a national state in which the citizens would speak only Polish and would be Roman Catholics. Dmowski’s ideas were greatly influenced by Social Darwinism, which led him to his belief that strong nations held power over weaker nations. In 1927, Dmowski revised his book written in 1905 by abandoning his criticism of Catholicism. He began to see that Catholicism played a crucial role in Polish identity. As a result, Dmowski began to see minorities as the weakening force of a nation. Hence he was an anti-Semitic; he thought of Jews as harmful to Poles, and believed that they were destroying the possibility of a bright future for Poland. In 1926, he founded the Camp of Great Poland, and in 1928 he created the National Party.

 National Party (Poland) - A right-wing political movement in Poland during the the 19^th century. It was founded by Roman Dmowski in 1928 and lasted until 1939, when the Second Polish Republic ended. The National Republic supported the creation of the Legion Pulawski to ally with the Russian Empire. After World War I, the National Party’s influence increased abroad rather than in Poland, resulting in their share of power with Pilsudski who was then leader of the left-wing Polish Social Party. Even though Pilsudski had more military support than the National Party, the party was able to gain support for Polish requests at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919.

 Camp of Great Poland- OWP was formed by the right-wing political leader Roman Dmowski in 1926 to oppose the left-wing leader Pilsudski.

 Jozef Pilsudski- In 1892, Jozef Pilsudski founded the Polish Socialist Party and was the political opponent of Roman Dmowski. He was also the editor of the Robotnik, and underground and left-wing paper, through which he promoted socialism and polish nationalism. In 1900, Pilsudski was arrested and his newspaper was banned. When he was released he began to build a private army that he hoped would help fight for Polish independence from Russia. In 1914, Pilsudki and his army fought along with Austrians against the Russian army but after the Russian Revolution, he arrested due to suspicions about his loyalty. He was released in 1918 and became the provisional head of state and leader of all Polish troops. Pilduski represented Poland at the treaty of Versailles. Because of his efforts Poland made significant gain during the Russian Civil War.

 Radio Maryja - A conservative Catholic Polish radio station directed by founder Tadeusz Rydzyk. Radio Maryja has been criticized as anti-Semitic and has been accused of broadcasting conspiracy theories and denying the occurrence of the Holocaust. Radio Maryja has one of the largest audiences in Poland since it appeals mostly to older Poles in the rural and less educated regions and to those who feel left behind by the rapid post-communist changes.

 Pope John Paul II- The first Polish pope. Before becoming Pope, he was known as Karol Jozef Wojtyla. As a young adult, Wojtyla not only secretly continued his priesthood studies but also wrote plays and poems steeped in Polish nationalism. He played a critical role in the downfall of communism and promoted traditional moral values. He is known in the political arena for promoting the powerful revival of Polish nationalism and spiritual fervor, beginning with his visit to Poland in 1979. He also strongly supported the Solidarity labor movement during the 1980s.

 Lech Walesa- Known for organizing and leading the Gdansk shipyard strike, which caused a wave of strikes that spread throughout Poland. The strikes were mainly for labor rights, which resulted in the Gdansk agreement of 1980.  This agreement gave workers the right to strike and to organize labor unions. The Catholic Church supported the movement. Walesa always regarded his Catholicism as a source of strength and inspiration.  In 1990, Walesa won the elections and became the president of Poland for the next five years. During his presidency, he started a "war at the top" which was defined as a gradual change in government. During his presidency, he helped Poland shift from an oppressive, economically weak communist country under strict Soviet control to an independent and democratic country with a fast growing free-market economy. However, Walesa soon lost public support and thus lost his next election for presidency.

 League of Polish Families- Also known as LPR, the League of Polish Families is a conservative political party in the Polish Parliament. The LPR was created before the elections of 2001 and is headed by Roman Giertych.  The party’s emphasis is on populism, nationalism and conservative traditional social values. The party appeals to those who favor traditional social values, the Catholic faith, and the concept of Polish national sovereignty. The party is opposed to abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality, and Poland’s involvement in the European Union.

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