Just finished reading Król by Szczepan Twardoch and setting out to read Królestwo by the same author. The former book is a bleak depiction of Warsaw in 1937, contrasts diving the city and co-existence of Poles and Jews and how the latter already were persecuted.
After 123 years of being wiped off the map, the very independence of Poland was a virtue itself. The beginnings of the statehood were turbulent, especially as the soviet invasion was miraculously fended off in 1920.
Democratic institutions did not last long and since May 1926 the country’s regime was authoritarian. In the meantime, a communist empire to the east was rising, while the great depression brought to power fascist governments in western Europe and solidified communism, seemingly resilient to economic downturn.
The independent Poland in place between November 1918 and September 1939 has done little to improve quality of institutions, crack down on illiteracy, facilitate social advancement or industrialise its economy (attempts in late 1930s were in vain). Elites were spoilt and entrenched in their bubbles, separated from ordinary people plunging into penury. On top of this, disgrace was compounded widespread antisemitism and growing popularity of fascist organisations. Political prisoners were facing tortures worse than those imprisoned for standing up against communism after 1956.
Anything to yearn for? The independence was better than being wiped off the map. Did the country deserve to be invaded in September 1939? Definitely not. Were all elites killed by nazis and soviets spoilt? Also definitely not. Authoritarian regimes in Poland between 1926 and 1939, as well as between 1956 and 1989 had different shameful characteristics. Both periods are idealised by some, but from today's perspective we should be glad to live in contemporary Poland. Hope this glee will not be cut in by a war, which though not in form of full-scale military assault, is hanging in the air.
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