6533b832fe1ef96bd129b027

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Niemcy, Rosja i kwestia polska w publicystyce Jędrzeja Giertycha na łamach "Horyzontów" paryskich (1956-1971)

subject

description

The liberalization of the communist system in mid-1950s, disillusionment with the policy of the West, fears connected with West German revisionism, and dwindling chances of change in the situation of Central-Eastern Europe contributed to a differentiation of attitudes among the Polish emigrants. Some of them, notably the nationalists, voiced the need to seek compromise with Russia. This led to the emergence of a pro-Russian option alongside the still dominant pro-Western one. The thesis on the need of an alliance with Russia was propagated by Jędrzej Giertych in his jo umalism in the "Horyzonty” monthly published in Paris. This ideologically committed opponent of communism and a staunch Catholic was at the same time an ardent champion of an alliance with Russia, which in those circumstances meant an alliance with the Soviet Union, but he did not see it as a contradiction. He claimed that the biggest threat for Poland was Germany supported by the West. He hoped that in appreciation of sincere friendship and loyalty, Russia would restore to Poland the cities of Lvov and Vilnius. For him, alliance with the eastern neighbor was not of a temporary or tactical nature. Giertych consistently repeated that Russia was Polands natural alfy, and Poland was Russia s natural alfy. Cooperation between the two countries was to be cemented by the Chinese threat.