Stosunki polsko-radzieckie w myśli politycznej narodowej demokracji (1918-1939) : zarys problematyki

Abstract

The attitude of the National Democracy towards the Soviet Union based on two factors: its political, military and economic weakness, which prevented Soviet aggressive foreign policy and common interest of Poland and the USSR, which was defence against German expansion in the East. So National Democracy wanted to have good relations with the Soviet state and objected of any intervention in internal affairs of the Soviet Union. National camp demanded from the USSR peacefulpolicy, stabilization on the Polish-Soviet border and cooperation in defending the territorial order in this part of Europe. The real relations between Poland and the USSR weren’t so optimistic. The National Democracy accused communist government in Russia of the preparations to european revolution and to force all the countries to adopt totalitarian system. The ways of realization of that plan were Polish-Soviet war (1919-1920) and help given to Polish communists by the USSR in destructive activity against the Polish Republic. The National Democracy criticized east neighbour on dislike for political and economic cooperation with Poland, too. For the USSR better partners were Germany or France than poor Poland and national leaders had to resign from theirs conception of keeping close cooperation with the USSR. Poland was situated between Germany and the Soviet Union, what had grave influence on national conception of mutual relations with both neighbours. For the National Democracy Germany was the most dangerous enemy of the Polish state, so a natural partner had to be seek in the USSR. That’s why, despite failures, national leaders during interwar period didn’t change their main idea on good relations with the east neighbour on political and economic ground and were convinced, that the Soviet government would eventually change its foreign policy. Some political events strengthened the national camp in its conviction: a treaty of non-aggression, trade relations or influential Soviet politicians’ speeches, for example ministries of foreign affairs, about the necessity of cooperation with Poland. But belief in their own conceptions caused misunderstanding of the real aims of the USSR, which were at odds with interests of Poland and based on intentions to destroy the Polish state.