Russo-Polish relations

• Continuity in Russo-Polish relations - Polish Uprising 1863:

  • Polish nationalists wanted full independence so they rebelled
  • Milyutin Plan ended the rebellion
  • Poland still under firm Russia control
• Continuity in Russo-Polish relations - Russo-Polish War 1920:

  • 16 October 1920: an armistice was signed between Poland and Russia
  • Polish independence was confirmed and Western Ukraine & Western Belorussia came under Polish authority
  • This freedom and territory remained in place until after WW2
• Change in Russo-Polish relations - impact of WW1

  • Russia forced to give up jurisdiction over Warsaw & Vilna (centres of the Vistula region) •
  • Poland was free from Russian rule, although it was made official in 1918 with the signing of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
• Changes in Russo-Polish relations - wartime conferences:

  • YALTA: it was agreed that a new Russo-Polish border be established along the Curzon Line & that Poland would be governed by a Soviet-backed regime • POTSDAM: dealt with the issue of Poland’s western border - newly agreed that it would be along the Oder-Niesse Line (well inside ethnic Germany) - Soviet government implemented throughout
  • Feb ’47: provisional constitution signed, setting up a Council of State
  • Had almost total legislative & executive powers was dominated by the Polish Workers’ Party (Stalin had heavy influence)
• Changes in Russo-Polish relations - wartime conferences:

  • YALTA: it was agreed that a new Russo-Polish border be established along the Curzon Line & that Poland would be governed by a Soviet-backed regime
  • POTSDAM: dealt with the issue of Poland’s western border. Soviet government implemented throughout
  • Feb ’47: provisional constitution signed, setting up a Council of State
  • Had almost total legislative & executive powers was dominated by the Polish Workers’ Party
  • 1952: imposition of Soviet-style constitution - Poland officially renamed ‘People’s Republic of Poland”
• Changes in Russo-Polish relations - Khrushchev:

  • Calls for Stalinist politicians in Poland to stand down after the Secret Speech
  • Workers supported this through strike action
  • Khrushchev largely agreed to their demands - ’56 Gomulka was released from prison to take over Polish leadership
  • General easing of control over the Polish people - great difference from Stalin’s rule