Union of Polish Patriots
Encyclopedia
Union of Polish Patriots (Society of Polish Patriots, , ZPP) was a political body created by Polish communists and Joseph Stalin
in Soviet Union
in 1943. This body, unofficially controlled and directed by Stalin, became a foundation of the Communist government created by Soviets that eventually took power in the People's Republic of Poland
.
ZPP was dominated by Communists (from January 1944 members of the political party
of Centralne Biuro Komunistów Polskich (Central Bureau of Polish Communists).
Decision to create ZPP was made by Stalin in March 1943, although the organization was formally created in June 1943. ZPP significance increased after Soviet Union broke relations with the Polish government-in-exile in April 1943, following the discovery of the Katyn Massacre
. In May 1943 ZPP was involved in the creation of the first division (1 Dywizja Piechoty im. Tadeusza Kościuszki) of the Ludowe Wojsko Polskie (which would later merge with the underground forces in Poland established by Soviet Union, known as Armia Ludowa
) under general Zygmunt Berling
. In June 1943 ZPP was officially created and Directorate ('Zarząd') of the ZPP was 'elected' in the form of: president Wanda Wasilewska
, members: Stanisław Skrzeszewski, Stefan Jędrychowski, Włodzimierz Sokorski
and Zygmunt Berling
. ZPP also issued a declaration condemning the Polish government-in-exile led by Władysław Sikorski, as a body whose actions are damaging the "Anglo-Russo-American block".
Program of ZPP was dominated by the need to transform the socio-political structure of future Poland, importance of alliance with the Soviet Union and the need to change the borders (rejection of the Treaty of Riga borderlines).
ZPP had its own propaganda ("Wolna Polska), education and social services branches.
In 1944 ZPP formally recognized the State National Council
(Krajowa Rada Narodowa) and was responsible for the formation of Polish Committee of National Liberation
(Polski Komitet Wyzwolenia Narodowego).
Between 1944-1946 it was involved in resettling Poles from Soviet Union into Poland.
It was disbanded in 1946.
Joseph Stalin
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was the Premier of the Soviet Union from 6 May 1941 to 5 March 1953. He was among the Bolshevik revolutionaries who brought about the October Revolution and had held the position of first General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee...
in Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
in 1943. This body, unofficially controlled and directed by Stalin, became a foundation of the Communist government created by Soviets that eventually took power in the People's Republic of Poland
People's Republic of Poland
The People's Republic of Poland was the official name of Poland from 1952 to 1990. Although the Soviet Union took control of the country immediately after the liberation from Nazi Germany in 1944, the name of the state was not changed until eight years later...
.
ZPP was dominated by Communists (from January 1944 members of the political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
of Centralne Biuro Komunistów Polskich (Central Bureau of Polish Communists).
Decision to create ZPP was made by Stalin in March 1943, although the organization was formally created in June 1943. ZPP significance increased after Soviet Union broke relations with the Polish government-in-exile in April 1943, following the discovery of the Katyn 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...
. In May 1943 ZPP was involved in the creation of the first division (1 Dywizja Piechoty im. Tadeusza Kościuszki) of the Ludowe Wojsko Polskie (which would later merge with the underground forces in Poland established by Soviet Union, known as Armia Ludowa
Armia Ludowa
Armia Ludowa was a communist partisan force set up by the Polish Workers' Party during World War II. Its aims were to support the military of the Soviet Union against German forces and aid the creation of a pro-Soviet communist government in Poland...
) under general Zygmunt Berling
Zygmunt Berling
Zygmunt Henryk Berling was a Polish general and politician. He fought for the independence of Poland in the early 20th century. During Second World War he was sentenced to death in absentia for desertion from the Polish Army of General Władysław Anders...
. In June 1943 ZPP was officially created and Directorate ('Zarząd') of the ZPP was 'elected' in the form of: president Wanda Wasilewska
Wanda Wasilewska
Wanda Wasilewska was a Polish and Soviet novelist and communist political activist who played an important role in the creation of a Polish division of the Soviet Red Army during World War II and the formation of the Polish People's Republic....
, members: Stanisław Skrzeszewski, Stefan Jędrychowski, Włodzimierz Sokorski
Włodzimierz Sokorski
Włodzimierz Sokorski was a Polish communist official, writer, military journalist and eventually a Brigadier General in the Soviet-dominated People's Republic of Poland...
and Zygmunt Berling
Zygmunt Berling
Zygmunt Henryk Berling was a Polish general and politician. He fought for the independence of Poland in the early 20th century. During Second World War he was sentenced to death in absentia for desertion from the Polish Army of General Władysław Anders...
. ZPP also issued a declaration condemning the Polish government-in-exile led by Władysław Sikorski, as a body whose actions are damaging the "Anglo-Russo-American block".
Program of ZPP was dominated by the need to transform the socio-political structure of future Poland, importance of alliance with the Soviet Union and the need to change the borders (rejection of the Treaty of Riga borderlines).
ZPP had its own propaganda ("Wolna Polska), education and social services branches.
In 1944 ZPP formally recognized the State National Council
State National Council
Krajowa Rada Narodowa in Polish was a parliament-like political body formed in the late stages of the Second World War in the Soviet Union, as part of the formation of a new Communist Polish government...
(Krajowa Rada Narodowa) and was responsible for the formation of 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...
(Polski Komitet Wyzwolenia Narodowego).
Between 1944-1946 it was involved in resettling Poles from Soviet Union into Poland.
It was disbanded in 1946.