Polish National Committee (1917-1919)
Encyclopedia
Polish National Committee was formed in Lausanne
on 15 August 1917 by Polish National Democracy politician Roman Dmowski
. Its goal was to support Entente
by creating the Polish Army (the Blue Army
under Józef Haller
) fighting alongside of it in exchange of receiving support for independent Poland. In addition to Dmowski its chief activists included Ignacy Jan Paderewski
, August Zaleski
, Erazm Piltz, Marian Seyda and Maurycy Zamoyski. In September 1917, the Polish National Committee was recognized by the French as the legitimate government of Poland. The British and the Americans were less enthusiastic about Dmowski's National Committee, but likewise recognized it as Poland's government in 1918. The Committee recognized the government of Ignacy Jan Paderewski
in January 1919 and dissolved itself.
. Towards the end of the war, a number of Polish organizations were established both within the occupied state, and across the world. This caused concern amongst the Kaiser
of Germany and the King-Emperor
of Austria Hungary. On November 5, 1916 they have passed an act proposing the creation of the Kingdom of Poland
which was supposed to be the puppet state
of the German Empire
and remain under control of the Central Powers. The act is known as the Act of 5th November. After proclamation of the act, different Polish political groups and organisations had begun to seek support in the Allied states in hope of success in rebuilding the Polish state. In August of the following year the Polish National Committee was established and continued its action until 1919.
Lausanne
Lausanne is a city in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and is the capital of the canton of Vaud. The seat of the district of Lausanne, the city is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva . It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains, with the Jura mountains to its north-west...
on 15 August 1917 by Polish National Democracy politician Roman Dmowski
Roman Dmowski
Roman Stanisław Dmowski was a Polish politician, statesman, and chief ideologue and co-founder of the National Democracy political movement, which was one of the strongest political camps of interwar Poland.Though a controversial personality throughout his life, Dmowski was instrumental in...
. Its goal was to support Entente
Allies of World War I
The Entente Powers were the countries at war with the Central Powers during World War I. The members of the Triple Entente were the United Kingdom, France, and the Russian Empire; Italy entered the war on their side in 1915...
by creating the Polish Army (the Blue Army
Blue Army
The Blue Army, or Haller's Army, are informal names given to the Polish Army units formed in France during the later stages of World War I. The army was created in June 1917 as part of the Polish units allied to the Entente. After the Great War ended, the units were transferred to Poland, where...
under Józef Haller
Józef Haller de Hallenburg
Józef Haller de Hallenburg was a Lieutenant General of the Polish Army, legionary in Polish Legions, harcmistrz , the President of The Polish Scouting and Guiding Association , political and social activist, Stanisław Haller de Hallenburg's cousin.Haller was born in Jurczyce...
) fighting alongside of it in exchange of receiving support for independent Poland. In addition to Dmowski its chief activists included Ignacy Jan Paderewski
Ignacy Jan Paderewski
Ignacy Jan Paderewski GBE was a Polish pianist, composer, diplomat, politician, and the second Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland.-Biography:...
, August Zaleski
August Zaleski
August Zaleski was a Polish economist, politician, and diplomat. Twice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, he served as the President of Poland within the Polish Government in Exile.- Biography :...
, Erazm Piltz, Marian Seyda and Maurycy Zamoyski. In September 1917, the Polish National Committee was recognized by the French as the legitimate government of Poland. The British and the Americans were less enthusiastic about Dmowski's National Committee, but likewise recognized it as Poland's government in 1918. The Committee recognized the government of Ignacy Jan Paderewski
Ignacy Jan Paderewski
Ignacy Jan Paderewski GBE was a Polish pianist, composer, diplomat, politician, and the second Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland.-Biography:...
in January 1919 and dissolved itself.
Historical background
During World War I, the Polish people were determined to regain their independence after 123 years of being occupied by the governments of Austria, Russia and Prussia. This period is known as the partitions of PolandPartitions of Poland
The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in the second half of the 18th century and ended the existence of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, resulting in the elimination of sovereign Poland for 123 years...
. Towards the end of the war, a number of Polish organizations were established both within the occupied state, and across the world. This caused concern amongst the Kaiser
Kaiser
Kaiser is the German title meaning "Emperor", with Kaiserin being the female equivalent, "Empress". Like the Russian Czar it is directly derived from the Latin Emperors' title of Caesar, which in turn is derived from the personal name of a branch of the gens Julia, to which Gaius Julius Caesar,...
of Germany and the King-Emperor
King-Emperor
A king-emperor, the female equivalent being queen-empress, is a sovereign ruler who is simultaneously a king of one territory and emperor of another...
of Austria Hungary. On November 5, 1916 they have passed an act proposing the creation of the Kingdom of Poland
Kingdom of Poland (1916–1918)
The Kingdom of Poland, also informally called the Regency Kingdom of Poland , was a proposed puppet state during World War I by Germany and Austria-Hungary in 1916 after their conquest of the former Congress Poland from Russia...
which was supposed to be the puppet state
Puppet state
A puppet state is a nominal sovereign of a state who is de facto controlled by a foreign power. The term refers to a government controlled by the government of another country like a puppeteer controls the strings of a marionette...
of the German Empire
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
and remain under control of the Central Powers. The act is known as the Act of 5th November. After proclamation of the act, different Polish political groups and organisations had begun to seek support in the Allied states in hope of success in rebuilding the Polish state. In August of the following year the Polish National Committee was established and continued its action until 1919.