The Polish people, commonly referred to as the Poles, are one of the most culturally unified people in the European Union. In the wake of World War II and throughout the Cold War, cultural changes and demographic shifts throughout Central and Eastern Europe left the Poles with a largely homogenous society. Currently, over 96 percent of the population in Poland identify as being of Polish descent, which contrasts sharply with the demographics the country contained pre-war. This paper will discuss the role that political policies, military tensions, and societal changes had in shaping the current Polish culture and people.
Prior to World War II, the Polish population was much more diverse than it is today, with over one-third of Poles identifying as being of non-Polish descent. Post-war political policies, known collectively as Polonization, imposed elements of Polish culture on to people of non-Polish descent. One of the most visible results of this was the adoption of Polish as the national language with Article 27 of the Polish Constitution in 1997. While small groups of Poles still speak many other languages, such as Kashubian, German, Belarusian, and Ukrainian, over 98 percent of Poles speak Polish as their primary language in everyday life. Despite Poland assimilating the majority of the other cultures into their society and considering them Poles, the country still considers itself relatively diverse. Warsaw, both the Capital and largest city in Poland, is an especially diverse city and is rich in culture and history. Situated next to the Vistula River, the city held importance throughout European history, with the earliest settlements dating to the 11th century. Throughout the city’s history, several different kingdoms, including the Swedes, the Russians, and the Prussians, took it. During World War II, the German Third Reich also controlled the city. All of the previous owners of the city left their mark on the region, as seen by their architecture, customs, and ethnic groups that remain. Despite all of these diverse aspects of life and backgrounds, residents of the city today proudly call themselves Poles.
The military history of Poland is especially important not only for the Poles, but for all of Europe. After the Axis overran the country in 1939, Winston Churchill said during his 1 October 1939 BBC broadcast:
Poland has been again overrun by two of the great powers which held her in bondage for 150 years, but were unable to quench the spirit of the Polish nation. The heroic defence(sic) of Warsaw shows that the soul of Poland is indestructible, and that she will rise again like a rock, which may for a spell be submerged by a tidal wave, but which remains a rock. (Churchill, p. 28)
This quote refers to the steadfast and stoic nature of the Polish people. Throughout the country’s history, Poland always maintained its identity and remained resilient. During the German occupation of Warsaw, the Germans destroyed over 90 percent of the city. Despite this unforeseen destruction, the Polish people refused to accept defeat, and rebuilt the city into what we see today. The role of the Polish military is just as important in shaping the country as it was during both World Wars and rebuilding. Due to the country’s unique geographical location in the center of Europe, situated in-between the Baltic Sea and the Carpathian Mountains, maintaining peace in the region has been of utmost importance for the entire continent. Poland, as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), plays a vital role in relations between the East and West. Currently, three services make up the Polish Armed Forces: the Army, the Air and Air Defense Forces, and the Navy (Butlak, 2004). These forces deployed outside of the Polish borders several times in recent history, with approximately 2500 soldiers deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Despite these deployments supporting other regions, the primary focus of the Polish Armed Forces is to protect the Polish mainland and promote stability in Central Europe. The country strives to maintain positive relationships with its neighbors, especially Germany and France both in trade and military alliance. Equally important is its relationship with Russia. As NATO’s easternmost member, Poland acts as a buffer between its western NATO partners and Russia to the east. The country takes special care in maintaining a positive political and military relationship with Belarus, located in between Poland and Russia. In November 2017, Belarus and Poland signed a plan of bilateral military cooperation, which may allow Belarus to become a member of NATO in the future, further strengthening stability in the region. Poland’s economy, as well as its relationships with its NATO partners will aid the future modernization of the Polish Armed Forces. After touring the Polish strategic air base of Powidz, United States Army Europe’s Lt General Ben Hodges said (2017) “I talk about Poland as the center of gravity. Well, this is the center of the center of gravity. This is it. This is the hub for all of northern Europe, the Baltics.” (p. 1). The air base is part of continual Polish and NATO combined efforts to promote stability through military power in the country. The air base is becoming a major hub for Polish, U.S., and NATO air and ground forces throughout recent years, and development will continue further, increasing security for all Poles.
One of the main facets of Polish life shared among Polish citizens is practice of religion. Polish people practice many different religions, and the Polish Constitution allows religious freedom. Christianity, most notably Roman Catholicism is the main religion practiced in Poland. Currently, over 90 percent of present day Poles practice Roman Catholicism, but the roots that this religion has in the country run deep. The first Polish ruler, Mieszko I, accepted Christianity as the kingdom’s religion after his baptism in 966 A.D. Later, he adopted Roman Catholicism as the kingdom’s official religion to avoid war or conflicts with the Holy Roman Empire. Throughout the region’s history, regardless of who maintained possession of the country, Roman Catholicism remained with the people who inhabited the lands that became present day Poland. Although the country does not officially have a state religion, many religious symbols remain throughout the country, such as the crucifixes displayed in the Parliament and public schools.
The Polish people have had a long and rich history that involved all of the major players throughout the region. Despite wars, political assimilation policies, and religious influence, the Polish people retain their diverse heritage, while also agreeing that that heritage, along with their current country and families, all lend themselves to their identity and future as Poles.