Idea of „People’s Poland” and its Adherents. People’s and Socialist vision of the Independent Polish State – Some Critical Remarks

Abstract

In this essay I present a book titled Ludowa i socjalistyczna wizja niepodległej Polski [People’s and Socialist vision of the Independent Polish State], edited by Janusz Gmitruk and Tadeusz Skoczek. It is a collection of papers which are focused on different aspects of history of modern socialist and peasant movements in Poland during first half of 20th century. I argue, that the idea of „People’s Poland”, currently strictly associated with propaganda of communist „Polish People’s Republic” (1944/45–1989), has deeper historical roots and played a key role in political imagination of democratic and pro-independence movements. In this essay I offer not only a critical review of articles collected in the book, but also try to propose new, potentially promising perspectives for further research on history of mass and plebeian political movements.