Jan Kwapinski
Encyclopedia
Jan Kwapiński born Piotr Chałupka was a Polish independence activist, politician and statesman. Member of Combat Organization of the Polish Socialist Party
, imprisoned by Russian Empire
authorities in Warsaw Citadel
. After Poland regained independence following the First World War, member of Polish parliament (Sejm
) after being elected in Polish legislative election, 1922
and mayor
of Łódź (1939). After Soviet invasion of Poland
arrested by NKVD
, freed after Sikorski-Mayski Agreement
, he joined the London-based Polish government-in-exile as Vice-Premier and Minister of Industry, Trade and Shipping, later Minister of Treasury.
"Jan Kwapinski (correct pronunciation: Kv-a-pin-ski), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry, Commerce and Shipping, son of a worker and a metal worker himself, has long been one of the most prominent figures in Poland's labor and political movement.
Born in Warsaw
in 1885, his life reflects the turbulent history of the Polish patriotic revolutionary movement. From his early youth he took an active part in the underground organization. He joined the Polish Socialist Party
in 1902 [17] and played an active role in the anti-Czarist uprising of 1905 [20]. When the revolt failed, Kwapinski made his escape to Cracow (then in Austrian Poland), where he continued his political activities. After his return to Russian Poland in 1906 [21] he took part in underground revolutionary organization. The following year he was arrested by the Czarist police and sentenced to 15 years hard labor. Having organized the prisoners' rebellion in the Lomza Prison, he managed to escape, but was caught and removed to Orel Prison
, where he remained until 1917 [32], when the Russian Revolution set him free.
Back in Poland in 1918 [33], he was elected to the Central Committee of the Polish Socialist Party, of which he later became Vice-Chairman. His concern for the fate of the Polish workers and peasants led to his appointment, during the twenty years of Polish independence, as President of the Farm Workers Union and Polish Trade Union Congress.
When the Soviets entered Poland, Kwapinski, who remained in Poland during both invasions, was deported to Siberia. Released after the signing of the Polish-Russian treaty in July, 1941 [56], he proceeded to London where he was appointed to the Polish Cabinet and was made chairman of the Committee of the Polish Socialist Party. Since General Sikorski's death (in July, 1943), Mr. Kwapinski holds the post of Vice-Premier."
, who had been appointed by President Władysław Raczkiewicz. On 14 July 1943 Prime Minister Mikolajczyk formed a coalition cabinet from the four main Polish political groups, and including, besides Jews, some without party affiliation. He named Jan Kwapiński of the Polish Socialist Party as Vice Prime Minister as well as Minister of Industry, Commerce and Shipping.
On 29 October 1943, Kwapiński flew, with other diplomats aboard the Pan American Airways Boeing 314A
'Capetown Clipper', from Foynes
, Éire to New York City, as "Deputy Premier" of Poland
, arriving 5 November 1943, to attend the Atlantic City
, New Jersey UNRRA conference. He was Polish signatory to the agreement at the White House on 9 November 1943. In London, in January 1944, Mikolajczyk and Kwapiński were the chief Polish moderates with whom British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden
sought to resolve a crisis with the Soviets concerning the long contentious issue of the Polish-Russian frontier. On 23 November 1944, three days before Prime Minister Mikolajczyk resigned, Kwapiński left his own posts. However he was for seven months Treasury Minister under the succeeding Prime Minister, Tomasz Arciszewski
, from 29 November 1944 until 28 June 1945—eight days before the United Kingdom and the United States, following the February, 1945 Yalta Conference
agreement with Stalin, withdrew recognition of the Polish government in exile. Remaining an émigré, Jan Kwapiński died in London
in 1964.
joins Polish Socialist Party, age seventeen.
1905 active role in "June days" anti-Czarist uprising, flees to Warsaw.
1906
returns to Russian Poland, takes part in underground revolutionary organization.
1907
arrested by Czarist police, sentenced to 15 years hard labor. Organizes prisoners' rebellion in Łomża Prison, escapes, captured, moved to Orel
Prison.
1917
freed by Russian Revolution, returns to Poland.
1918
elected to the Central Committee of Polish Socialist Party, later Vice-Chairman; President of Farm Workers Union and Polish Trade Union Congress.
1918-1939 Second Polish Republic
1939
3 March-3 September mayor of Łódź until invaded by Germany;
1 September German invasion of Poland;
17 September Soviet invasion, deported to Siberia;
27 September fall of Warsaw.
1940
April through November Soviet Katyń massacre
of Polish citizens;
July through November Polish airmen
defend UK in Battle of Britain
.
1941
July freed (in advance of Aug. 17?), appointed in London to Polish Cabinet, chair of the Committee of the Polish Socialist Party;
30 July Polish-Soviet pact;
17 August signing of Sikorski-Mayski Agreement
, freeing many Poles;
4 December Stalin-Sikorski agreement.
1942
"Introduction" (12 pp.). Kwapiński, Jan and A. Greenwood. Towards a New Poland: A Programme of the Polish Underground Movement.
London: Liberty Publications, 1942. Transl. of Program Polski Ludowej (Towards a New Poland) 1941 samidzat.
1943
13 April German announcement of Katyn massacre;
25 April Stalin suspends relations between USSR and Poland;
4 July General Sikorski killed;
14 July Vice-Premier in new Polish Mikolajczyk government-in-exile;
9 November signs UNRRA document for Poland, in Washington.
1944
January, with Mikolajczyk and Anthony Eden, seeks to resolve crisis with Soviets;
May Polish units distinguished in capture of Monte Cassino
, breaking of Hitler Line
, opening way to Rome; June Government-in-exile issues Monte Cassino Commemorative Cross;
21 July "Lublin" Polish Committee of National Liberation
(PKWN) formed by Soviets; Government-in-exile, together with UK and US protest;
23 November resigns his posts in Government-in-exile;
26 November Mikolajczyk resigns as Prime Minister;
29 November appointed Treasury Minister in Arciszewski government.
1945
1 January Provisional Government of the Republic of Poland replaces PKWN, Mikolajczyk accepts Deputy Premiership;
4–11 February Yalta Conference, Poland not invited;
28 June resigns post of Treasury Minister;
6 July UK and US withdraw recognition of Polish Government-in-exile, loss of embassy in London;
17 July-7 August at Potsdam Conference
Provisional Government accepted as official Polish government by Big Three, Polish borders redrawn.
1946
8 June Poland excluded from London Victory Parade.
1947
Publication:
Kwapiński, Jan - 1939-1945. Kartki z pamietnika (Swiatowy Zwiazek Polakow z Zagranicy, London 1947)
1956
June Poznań protests
; 19 October Władysław Gomułka installed as First Secretary, Soviets later comply.
Combat Organization of the Polish Socialist Party
The Combat Organization of the Polish Socialist Party , also translated as Fighting Organization of the Polish Socialist Party; also known as bojówki ; Organizacja Spiskowo-Bojowa PPS ; Koła Bojowe Samoobrony Robotniczej and Koła Techniczno-Bojowe The Combat Organization of the Polish Socialist...
, imprisoned by Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
authorities in Warsaw Citadel
Warsaw Citadel
Cytadela is a 19th-century fortress in Warsaw, Poland. It was built by order of Tsar Nicholas I after the suppression of the 1830 November Uprising in order to bolster imperial Russian control of the city. It served as a prison into the late 1930s.- History :The Citadel was built by personal...
. After Poland regained independence following the First World War, member of Polish parliament (Sejm
Sejm
The Sejm is the lower house of the Polish parliament. The Sejm is made up of 460 deputies, or Poseł in Polish . It is elected by universal ballot and is presided over by a speaker called the Marshal of the Sejm ....
) after being elected in Polish legislative election, 1922
Polish legislative election, 1922
The Polish legislative election, 1922 lasted from 2 to 12 November and was the second election in the Second Polish Republic. The elections were won by Polish Right party, National Populist Association , however it did not obtain a majority - it got only 98 out of 444 seats...
and mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Łódź (1939). After Soviet invasion of Poland
Soviet invasion of Poland (1939)
The 1939 Soviet invasion of Poland was a Soviet military operation that started without a formal declaration of war on 17 September 1939, during the early stages of World War II. Sixteen days after Nazi Germany invaded Poland from the west, the Soviet Union did so from the east...
arrested by NKVD
NKVD
The People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs was the public and secret police organization of the Soviet Union that directly executed the rule of power of the Soviets, including political repression, during the era of Joseph Stalin....
, freed after Sikorski-Mayski Agreement
Sikorski-Mayski Agreement
The Sikorski–Mayski Agreement was a treaty between the Soviet Union and Poland signed in London on 30 July 1941. Its name was coined after the two most notable signatories: Polish Prime Minister Władysław Sikorski and Soviet Ambassador to the United Kingdom Ivan Mayski.- Details :After signing...
, he joined the London-based Polish government-in-exile as Vice-Premier and Minister of Industry, Trade and Shipping, later Minister of Treasury.
Kwapiński's early political career
An official publication of the Polish government-in-exile, March 1944, provides the following information, likely from the subject himself (brackets added showing his ages in the narrative):"Jan Kwapinski (correct pronunciation: Kv-a-pin-ski), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry, Commerce and Shipping, son of a worker and a metal worker himself, has long been one of the most prominent figures in Poland's labor and political movement.
Born in Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
in 1885, his life reflects the turbulent history of the Polish patriotic revolutionary movement. From his early youth he took an active part in the underground organization. He joined the Polish Socialist Party
Polish Socialist Party
The Polish Socialist Party was one of the most important Polish left-wing political parties from its inception in 1892 until 1948...
in 1902 [17] and played an active role in the anti-Czarist uprising of 1905 [20]. When the revolt failed, Kwapinski made his escape to Cracow (then in Austrian Poland), where he continued his political activities. After his return to Russian Poland in 1906 [21] he took part in underground revolutionary organization. The following year he was arrested by the Czarist police and sentenced to 15 years hard labor. Having organized the prisoners' rebellion in the Lomza Prison, he managed to escape, but was caught and removed to Orel Prison
Oryol
Oryol or Orel is a city and the administrative center of Oryol Oblast, Russia, located on the Oka River, approximately south-southwest of Moscow...
, where he remained until 1917 [32], when the Russian Revolution set him free.
Back in Poland in 1918 [33], he was elected to the Central Committee of the Polish Socialist Party, of which he later became Vice-Chairman. His concern for the fate of the Polish workers and peasants led to his appointment, during the twenty years of Polish independence, as President of the Farm Workers Union and Polish Trade Union Congress.
When the Soviets entered Poland, Kwapinski, who remained in Poland during both invasions, was deported to Siberia. Released after the signing of the Polish-Russian treaty in July, 1941 [56], he proceeded to London where he was appointed to the Polish Cabinet and was made chairman of the Committee of the Polish Socialist Party. Since General Sikorski's death (in July, 1943), Mr. Kwapinski holds the post of Vice-Premier."
Kwapiński and the Polish government-in-exile
Following Prime Minister Władysław Sikorski's death in an airplane crash on 4 July 1943 a new government-in-exile was formed under Prime Minister Stanislaw MikolajczykStanislaw Mikolajczyk
Stanisław Mikołajczyk , Polish politician, was Prime Minister of the Polish government in exile during World War II, and later Deputy Prime Minister in postwar Poland, before the USSR took political control of Poland....
, who had been appointed by President Władysław Raczkiewicz. On 14 July 1943 Prime Minister Mikolajczyk formed a coalition cabinet from the four main Polish political groups, and including, besides Jews, some without party affiliation. He named Jan Kwapiński of the Polish Socialist Party as Vice Prime Minister as well as Minister of Industry, Commerce and Shipping.
On 29 October 1943, Kwapiński flew, with other diplomats aboard the Pan American Airways Boeing 314A
Boeing 314
The Boeing 314 Clipper was a long-range flying boat produced by the Boeing Airplane Company between 1938 and 1941 and is comparable to the British Short S.26. One of the largest aircraft of the time, it used the massive wing of Boeing’s earlier XB-15 bomber prototype to achieve the range necessary...
'Capetown Clipper', from Foynes
Foynes
Foynes is a village and major port in County Limerick in the midwest of Ireland, located at the edge of hilly land on the southern bank of the Shannon Estuary. The population of the town was 606 as of the 2006 census.-Foynes's role in aviation:...
, Éire to New York City, as "Deputy Premier" of Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, arriving 5 November 1943, to attend the Atlantic City
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, New Jersey UNRRA conference. He was Polish signatory to the agreement at the White House on 9 November 1943. In London, in January 1944, Mikolajczyk and Kwapiński were the chief Polish moderates with whom British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden
Anthony Eden
Robert Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon, KG, MC, PC was a British Conservative politician, who was Prime Minister from 1955 to 1957...
sought to resolve a crisis with the Soviets concerning the long contentious issue of the Polish-Russian frontier. On 23 November 1944, three days before Prime Minister Mikolajczyk resigned, Kwapiński left his own posts. However he was for seven months Treasury Minister under the succeeding Prime Minister, Tomasz Arciszewski
Tomasz Arciszewski
Tomasz Arciszewski was a Polish socialist politician, a member of the Polish Socialist Party and the Prime Minister of the Polish government-in-exile in London from 1944 to 1947, presiding over the period when the government lost the recognition of the Western powers.-Early life:Tomasz Arciszewski...
, from 29 November 1944 until 28 June 1945—eight days before the United Kingdom and the United States, following the February, 1945 Yalta Conference
Yalta Conference
The Yalta Conference, sometimes called the Crimea Conference and codenamed the Argonaut Conference, held February 4–11, 1945, was the wartime meeting of the heads of government of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union, represented by President Franklin D...
agreement with Stalin, withdrew recognition of the Polish government in exile. Remaining an émigré, Jan Kwapiński died in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1964.
Timeline for Jan Kwapiński's political activities
1902joins Polish Socialist Party, age seventeen.
1905 active role in "June days" anti-Czarist uprising, flees to Warsaw.
1906
returns to Russian Poland, takes part in underground revolutionary organization.
1907
arrested by Czarist police, sentenced to 15 years hard labor. Organizes prisoners' rebellion in Łomża Prison, escapes, captured, moved to Orel
Oryol
Oryol or Orel is a city and the administrative center of Oryol Oblast, Russia, located on the Oka River, approximately south-southwest of Moscow...
Prison.
1917
freed by Russian Revolution, returns to Poland.
1918
elected to the Central Committee of Polish Socialist Party, later Vice-Chairman; President of Farm Workers Union and Polish Trade Union Congress.
1918-1939 Second Polish Republic
Second Polish Republic
The Second Polish Republic, Second Commonwealth of Poland or interwar Poland refers to Poland between the two world wars; a period in Polish history in which Poland was restored as an independent state. Officially known as the Republic of Poland or the Commonwealth of Poland , the Polish state was...
1939
3 March-3 September mayor of Łódź until invaded by Germany;
1 September German invasion of Poland;
17 September Soviet invasion, deported to Siberia;
27 September fall of Warsaw.
1940
April through November Soviet Katyń massacre
Katyn massacre
The Katyn massacre, also known as the Katyn Forest massacre , was a mass execution of Polish nationals carried out by the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs , the Soviet secret police, in April and May 1940. The massacre was prompted by Lavrentiy Beria's proposal to execute all members of...
of Polish citizens;
July through November Polish airmen
Polish Air Forces in France and Great Britain
The Polish Air Forces was a name of Polish Air Forces formed in France and the United Kingdom during World War II. The core of the Polish air units fighting alongside the allies were experienced veterans of Invasion of Poland of 1939 and they contributed to Allied victory in the Battle of Britain...
defend UK in Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
.
1941
July freed (in advance of Aug. 17?), appointed in London to Polish Cabinet, chair of the Committee of the Polish Socialist Party;
30 July Polish-Soviet pact;
17 August signing of Sikorski-Mayski Agreement
Sikorski-Mayski Agreement
The Sikorski–Mayski Agreement was a treaty between the Soviet Union and Poland signed in London on 30 July 1941. Its name was coined after the two most notable signatories: Polish Prime Minister Władysław Sikorski and Soviet Ambassador to the United Kingdom Ivan Mayski.- Details :After signing...
, freeing many Poles;
4 December Stalin-Sikorski agreement.
1942
"Introduction" (12 pp.). Kwapiński, Jan and A. Greenwood. Towards a New Poland: A Programme of the Polish Underground Movement.
London: Liberty Publications, 1942. Transl. of Program Polski Ludowej (Towards a New Poland) 1941 samidzat.
1943
13 April German announcement of Katyn massacre;
25 April Stalin suspends relations between USSR and Poland;
4 July General Sikorski killed;
14 July Vice-Premier in new Polish Mikolajczyk government-in-exile;
9 November signs UNRRA document for Poland, in Washington.
1944
January, with Mikolajczyk and Anthony Eden, seeks to resolve crisis with Soviets;
May Polish units distinguished in capture of Monte Cassino
Battle of Monte Cassino
The Battle of Monte Cassino was a costly series of four battles during World War II, fought by the Allies against Germans and Italians with the intention of breaking through the Winter Line and seizing Rome.In the beginning of 1944, the western half of the Winter Line was being anchored by Germans...
, breaking of Hitler Line
Hitler Line
The Hitler Line was a German defensive line in central Italy during the Second World War. The strong points of the line were at Aquino and Piedimonte. In May 1944, the line was re-named the Senger Line, after General von Senger und Etterlin, one of the generals commanding Axis forces in the area...
, opening way to Rome; June Government-in-exile issues Monte Cassino Commemorative Cross;
21 July "Lublin" Polish Committee of National Liberation
Polish Committee of National Liberation
The Polish Committee of National Liberation , also known as the Lublin Committee, was a provisional government of Poland, officially proclaimed 21 July 1944 in Chełm under the direction of State National Council in opposition to the Polish government in exile...
(PKWN) formed by Soviets; Government-in-exile, together with UK and US protest;
23 November resigns his posts in Government-in-exile;
26 November Mikolajczyk resigns as Prime Minister;
29 November appointed Treasury Minister in Arciszewski government.
1945
1 January Provisional Government of the Republic of Poland replaces PKWN, Mikolajczyk accepts Deputy Premiership;
4–11 February Yalta Conference, Poland not invited;
28 June resigns post of Treasury Minister;
6 July UK and US withdraw recognition of Polish Government-in-exile, loss of embassy in London;
17 July-7 August at Potsdam Conference
Potsdam Conference
The Potsdam Conference was held at Cecilienhof, the home of Crown Prince Wilhelm Hohenzollern, in Potsdam, occupied Germany, from 16 July to 2 August 1945. Participants were the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States...
Provisional Government accepted as official Polish government by Big Three, Polish borders redrawn.
1946
8 June Poland excluded from London Victory Parade.
1947
Publication:
Kwapiński, Jan - 1939-1945. Kartki z pamietnika (Swiatowy Zwiazek Polakow z Zagranicy, London 1947)
1956
June Poznań protests
Poznan 1956 protests
The Poznań 1956 protests, also known as Poznań 1956 uprising or Poznań June , were the first of several massive protests of the Polish people against the communist government of the People's Republic of Poland...
; 19 October Władysław Gomułka installed as First Secretary, Soviets later comply.
See also
- History of Poland (1939-1945)
- Polish government-in-exile
- Western betrayalWestern betrayalWestern betrayal, also called Yalta betrayal, refers to a range of critical views concerning the foreign policies of several Western countries between approximately 1919 and 1968 regarding Eastern Europe and Central Europe...