At the time, Poles thought that this might be a short period and that, as a result of some favorable international changes, it would be possible to restore Poland’s independence. They lacked the imagination to realize how long they would have to wait for this. 123 years of captivity, three generations of Poles, six national liberation uprisings, the entire process of Germanization and Russification, and all the other misfortunes that befell our nation. And only as a result of the First World War, for which Poles prayed in churches because they realized that only a war between the partitioning powers would create a chance for an independent state.
Such a chance arose. At the time, Poles thought that this might be a short period and that, as a result of some favorable international changes, it would be possible to restore Poland’s independence. They lacked the imagination to realize how long they would have to wait for this. 123 years of captivity, three generations of Poles, six national liberation uprisings, the entire process of Germanization and Russification, and all the other misfortunes that befell our nation. And only as a result of the First World War, for which Poles prayed in churches because they realized that only a war between the partitioning powers would create a chance for an independent state. Such a chance arose. The foresight of politicians of that generation, such as Józef Piłsudski, Roman Dmowski, Ignacy Paderewski, Ignacy Daszyński, Wincenty Witos and many others, made it possible to begin building the reborn Polish state. The greatest role fell to Józef Piłsudski, who returned from prison in Magdeburg on November 10, 1918, and, as Head of State, laid its foundations. Work began on creating the state administration, drafting the Constitution of the new Poland and establishing its final borders, which had to be fought for in three Silesian Uprisings, the Greater Poland Uprising and the war with Russia in 1920. The 76th anniversary of Independence prompts reflection on this fact. Contrary to appearances, it should be remembered that 123 years without a Polish state affected the fate of the Polish nation, with consequences still felt today. While the entire 19th century was a period in which modern capitalist states were being formed, we did not have a state at all. The entire effort of the Polish people was focused on the national liberation struggle. While the 19th century was a period in which parliamentary democracies were developing, Poles had nowhere to learn about such democracies. We were more a nation of struggle than of work. We therefore have much to make up for from what we lost during those 123 years. If we add to this the destruction caused by the Second World War and the enormous national losses—65% of national wealth and approximately 6 million victims—and then the difficult and complicated 45-year period, our reflections on Poland’s past and our view of the future from the perspective of 76 years of Independence will be more complete.