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Despite centuries under foreign rule, the Polish have maintained their national pride and are now the most nationalistic people in Europe due to religion, their history of greatness, and ethnic unity.

 Over the course of history, religion has played a major role in the collective Polish identity. The great majority of Polish people subscribe to Catholicism, a religion that makes Polish nationalism contrast sharply to that of Germany and Russia and the rest of Europe. During the time in which Poland was vulnerable to foreign domination, religion became a spiritual and cultural force that united the people and maintained their uniqueness. In the absence of a national Polish authority, religion became the most respected national organization. The Catholic Church stands as a symbol of national unity and resistance to foreign oppressors.

In the 16^th century, Poland was the strongest and most advanced kingdom in Europe. The Polish people lived under a democratic government complete with religious tolerance and free elections. Polish language and literature experienced a renaissance and the national economy was growing and strong. After the fall of Polish power and the partitioning of Polish lands by Austria, Prussia, and Russia, the polish people turned to their history in the 16^th century to give them hope for the future. Polish authors, poets, and composers used historic themes from the Golden Age of Poland to inspire the people and unite them through nationalism.

 The Poland established in 1944 was very similar to the Poland that existed in 1138 in that there were very few ethnic minorities such as Lithuanians and Jews. Currently, 98 percent of the Polish population is ethnically Polish. This has a unifying effect on the population since the people are all joined together by their collective background and heritage. The people are all able to find common ground with each other because they have gone through the same trials and carry on the same traditions to this day.