Legal and Political Aspects of the Council of National Defense Functioning in 1920

Damian Szczepański

doi:10.17951/sil.2021.30.4.533-555

Abstract

<p>The Council of National Defence, established on 1 July 1920, was to be a temporary governmental body having full legislative and executive power in all matters relating to the conduct and ending of the war, and also with the conclusion of peace with Bolshevik Russia. As regards the above matters, the Council of National Defence was to issue orders and regulations, which were immediately enforceable. Despite acquiring very broad powers, both legislative and executive, none of its regulations went beyond its competence scope. The Council of National Defence regulations had to be approved by the Legislative Sejm in order to be valid. During the three months’ period of its functioning, the Council of National Defense issued over 90 different legal acts aiming at strengthening of defense of the Polish State that was threatened with a loss of its independence. The Council of National Defense played a major role in holding back the Bolshevik invasion of Poland. It contributed to formation of a large army, and made the nation regain its faith in successful end of the military conflict with Soviet Russia.</p>

Highlights

From the perspective of a hundred years, which have passed since the Council of National Defence (CND) was established and the three months’ period of its operation, it seems purposeful to analyse this governmental body that had a significant impact on repulsion of the 1920 Bolshevik invasion.CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS: Damian Szczepański, PhD, advocate, Vistula University in Warsaw, Faculty of Humanities, Stokłosy 3, 02-787 Warszawa, Poland.At the end of 1920, the authorities of the Second Republic of Poland were threatened with a loss of recently regained independence
M The Council of National Defence, established on 1 July 1920, was to be a temporary governmental body having full legislative and executive power in all matters relating to the conduct and ending of the war, and with the conclusion of peace with Bolshevik Russia
Pursuant to Article 2 of the draft act on establishing the Council of National Defense, it was to consist of “The Chief of State as its chairman, the Marshal of the Legislative Sejm, the President of the Ministers (Prime Minister), the ministers of: Military Affairs, Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Treasury, Railway, Provisioning, former Prussian District, five representatives of the Polish Army appointed by the Commander-in-Chief and ten members of parliament appointed by the Sejm”

Summary

INTRODUCTION

From the perspective of a hundred years, which have passed since the Council of National Defence (CND) was established and the three months’ period of its operation, it seems purposeful to analyse this governmental body that had a significant impact on repulsion of the 1920 Bolshevik invasion. C the name of the Chief of State and the Commander-in-Chief Józef Piłsudski He appealed to members of parliament for the fastest possible decision-making on the presented draft act on establishing the CND.. Pursuant to Article 2 of the draft act on establishing the Council of National Defense, it was to consist of “The Chief of State as its chairman, the Marshal of the Legislative Sejm, the President of the Ministers (Prime Minister), the ministers of: Military Affairs, Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Treasury, Railway, Provisioning, former Prussian District, five representatives of the Polish Army appointed by the Commander-in-Chief and ten members of parliament appointed by the Sejm”.8. The Council of National Defense, during its first meeting held on 1 July 1920, adopted the proposal of the Commander-in-Chief Józef Piłsudski to enable military. This manner of voting was usually adopted when making the most important decisions, in particular political ones

C Such voting was ordered as a result of discussion over the report of Prime

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