Dmowski – portrait of statesman

This year on January 2nd the proponents of National Democracy celebrate the 68th anniversary of Roman Dmowski`s death. The man, who was a prewar activist and co-founder of the national ideology, is today considered one of the most distinguished politicians.

Born in 1864 after the fall of the January Rising, Dmowski grew up in the rigid atmosphere of the Polish reality. Poland, then, came under tight control of the Russian Empire, many families were broken as a result of massive deportations to Siberia. The fate of those remaining inside the country was none the better. The suppression of freedom and lack of prospects for better future created a sense of frustrated hopes. Dmowski who was born to an impoverished family felt the privations of that time. Few would have expected that after unsuccessful years at secondary school his genius would manifests itself. Dmowski who had to repeat three classes gradually revealed his extraordinary talent. He staged street demonstrations commemorating historic events which were banned by foreign administrators. He became actively involved in the formation of the political force who would fight for the Polish independence. That is why he founded the Polish League and then the National League. His plan was to create a pan-Polish organisation based in the three partitioned Poland`s territories. Its mission included enlightening of the society regardless of their social class, background. The aim was to make them understand the Polish cause and prepare them for the forthcoming war (he saw the inevitability of such a prospect). In doing so, he developped the press in the pages of which he promoted the national ideology and outlined the geopolitics of Poland.

Later, he became politically engaged after being elected to represent the Polish to the Russian Duma. He was a deputy three times running. He perfectly knew that Poland would only regain her independence after a European-wide conflict involving Russia against Germany. That is why he thought that the Polish engagement in the future war would only bear fruit if the country sided with Russia against Germany.

During WWI Dmowski supported the efforts to open the eastern front, which was to prevent Germany from an easy victory in the West. Although the Russian forces backed by the Polish soldiers lost the battle of Tannenberg it caused Germany to suffer heavy losses in France. Roman Dmowski opposed the concept embraced by Piłsudski who agitated for the war against Russia. If that had happened Poland would have been among the losers during the peace conference and the dream about the reborn Poland would have had to be postponed.

Towards the end of the war Dmowski established the National Committee of Poland in France which became a body representing the Polish interests abroad. It won the recognition of the Western states and the USA. Dmowski spent most of the time, then, presenting the Polish cause to the Western leaders. He insisted on continuing the war until Germany were defeated. Eloquent and capable of speaking as many as nine languages he shaped the opinion of the government officials to Poland`s advantage. Thanks to that, Poland regained huge territories in the East and West. More importantly, after 123 years of political death Poland was reborn.

Dmowski played a leading role until the Treaty was signed. Then, his influence somehow waned. Due to the infighting in the Polish Parliament and coup d`etat by Piłsudski (May 1926) he focused more on education of the youth, established the Camp of Great Poland, a political organisation accustomed to actions under the regime. In 1923 Dmowski was also a minister of foreign affairs for only two weeks. He devoted last years of life to publishing books, brochures and attempted to go back to politics. However, a suppresive regime dashed his hopes.

Dmowski died on January 2nd 1939. His funeral was the biggest street demonstration of the Second Republic of Poland (1918-1939). Dmowski turned out to be a great thinker. His input to the Polish political thought is immense. He published Thoughts of a Modern Pole, Germany, Russia and the Polish Cause, The Decline of Conservative Thought in Poland, Polish Politics and the Rebuilding of the State to name but a few. He was an educator of the young people, founder of All-Polish Youth. His role did not finish after Poland regained independence. Although, he lacked leadership skills, he set a pattern to be followed for the young generation.



Kamil Szczęch