CONCEPTS OF THE RESOLUTION OF THE UKRAINIAN PROBLEM IN THE POLISH POLITICAL THOUGHT (1939-1945)

Authors

  • Ivan Shyshkin

Keywords:

Ukrainian question, Polish political thought, Government in exile “London group,” Polish political parties, Government Delegation (Delegatura), Armia Krajowa

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of Polish-Ukrainian relations during the Second World War. In particular, the concepts of solving the Ukrainian question in the Polish political thought of the period 1939-1945 are investigated. It should be noted that the primary attention is paid to the analysis of various kinds of analytical studies, memos, theoretical developments, informational reports carried out by various structural elements of the Polish emigration government, which actively worked on the development of the latest position on the Ukrainian question. In addition, the official declarations adopted by the Polish government in emigration concerning both the problem of national minorities in general and the Ukrainian question, in particular, are studied. An important role is also played by the study of policy documents of the main political parties that were part of the Polish “London group.” This made it possible to highlight the positions of various political forces as well as assess their proposals. The main policy directions of political parties regarding the Ukrainian question are shown. Much attention is dedicated to the study of the program documents of those political parties that cooperated with the Polish government in emigration, and their representatives were included in various structures in its composition, which, in turn, made it possible to directly influence the development of the governmental concepts and its official position. The official statements of such political forces as the National party, the Peasant party, the Democratic party, the LEI (WRN) party (Liberty, Equality, Independence (Wolność, Równość, Niepodległość) – the socialist party) are analyzed. Based on the comparison of the crucial program documents, the party press, various kinds of appeals to citizens, the evolution of Polish political thought regarding the Ukrainian question during the Second World War is shown. The official documents developed in the military representation of the government in the country (Home Army), as well as its civilian exposition in the province (Government Delegation), are analyzed.

Published

2019-10-29