League Polska (1848)

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The Liga Polska (German Polish League ) existed for a few years since 1848. It is to be distinguished from later organizations of the same name.

history

After the defeat of the Polish uprising in the province of Poznan at the beginning of the revolution of 1848 , the underground movements lost supporters. The concept of organic work, i.e. the promotion of Polish interests within the legal framework, became more important.

The Polska League was founded in Berlin in the summer of 1848, driven by the philosopher and economist August Cieszkowski . Their goal was to stand up for the moral and economic strengthening of the Poles within the legal limits. Archbishop Leon Michał Przyłuski became honorary chairman . One of the leading figures was Karol Libelt . In Poznan Jan Chryzostom Janiszewski was one of the founders and organizers.

At the top stood a general management, including district and district leagues and special leagues.

Within a short period of time, the league had 40,000 followers. It had supporters in the provinces of Posen and West Prussia and also spread to Pomerania and Upper Silesia . In Poznan and West Prussia alone, the organization had 246 local clubs. It included people from all political directions and social classes. Their leadership, however, was rather conservative. With Gazeta Polska she had a journalistic mouthpiece.

Despite its limited goals, the Prussian authorities dissolved the central organization of the league in 1850. Some of the local groups still existed.

literature

  • Manfred Alexander: Small history of Poland. Bonn, 2006 ISBN 3-89331-662-0 p. 227
  • Krzystof Makowski: The Grand Duchy of Poznan in the revolutionary year of 1848, In: Rudolf Jaworski / Robert Luft (ed.): 1848/49. Revolutions in East Central Europe. Munich, 1996 ISBN 3-486-56012-3 p. 171
  • Heinrich Wuttke: City book of the country Posen. Leipzig, 1864 p. 259f.