The army for the society : the society for the army in the period of the Second Republic of Poland
[ 1 ] Wydział Bezpieczeństwa Narodowego, Akademia Sztuki Wojennej | [ D ] phd student
2016
scientific article
english
- Odbiór społeczny
- Polska
- Wojsko Polskie (1939-1945)
EN The article shows the mutual relationships prevailing between the society and the resurgent army in the period of the Second Republic of Poland. In the period of captivity, resentment and hostility toward the occupying army arose in the Polish society, which were subconsciously transferred to the resurgent Polish Army. As a result, the military did not enjoy too much popularity. Changing the strategists’ mindset, regarding the conduct of future wars, forced the leaders of the reborn Polish state to create strong ties between the army and the society. Educational programs, undertaken by the military, combating functioning illiteracy, participating in patriotic celebrations, supporting the construction of schools and preparing didactic aids for them, feeding children in schools, assistance in the construction of roads and bridges, the fight against unemployment and helping the public in the mitigation of various disasters brought tangible benefits to the army in terms of changing the way the society perceived it. Efforts on the part of the military were not only noticed but also rewarded by the society, which began to see the military service as an honor. As proof of this, due to the difficult economic situation in the state, the society paid generously through funding weapons and soldier’s equipment for many military units, as gesture of solidarity with the army. The outbreak of the war in 1939 showed how many positive changes occurred between the army and the society within such a short period.
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open repository
final published version
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