Początki polskiej niepodległości w relacji ambasadora Stanów Zjednoczonych Hugh S. Gibsona

Abstract

The aim of this article is to show the first years of Poland’s independence through the eyes of the US Ambassador Hugh S. Gibson, who headed the American diplomatic representation as a plenipotentiary minister in 1919–1924. His observations allow us to look at the main problems of contemporary Poland from the perspective of an American diplomat who comes to an unknown country, tries to get to know him and understand him, meets with different people. He is an openminded, sociable man, friendly to Poland and Poles. During his 5-year stay in Poland, Gibson had the opportunity to get to know Polish political, social, economic and national realities. This can be proved by his information and opinions contained in reports submitted to the U.S. Department of State. Gibson witnessed many dramatic events, such as the Polish-Bolshevik war or the murder of President Narutowicz. He looked at the formation of the Polish political system, the drafting of the constitution, and the 1922 elections. One of his most important tasks was to familiarize himself with the situation of Jews in Poland due to the frequent accusations of pogroms in the American press and the American Jewish community. Many times he had the opportunity to talk to Piłsudski, who is portrayed by an interesting psychological portrait. In 2018, the Znak publishing house published an extensive collection of reports sent by Gibson to the US Department of State, supplemented by telegrams and letters written daily to his mother. It will be the source of this article.