Vzestup polského neoslavismu: záchrana národní politiky?
The Rise of the Polish Neoslavism: Salvation of National Interest?

Summary/Abstract: This paper aims to provide an interpretation of approach of the Polish national society to the idea of redefined Slavonic solidarity in the early 20th century. The fundamental question was the question about motivation of the Polish national leaders, in other words – why did the Poles take part in Neoslavonic movement, despite their continual tense relations towards Russia. Preliminary answer could be found in the internal transformation of the Russian empire from the absolutist czarism into parliamentary state; undoubtedly this political platform helped to bring Russian and Polish liberal circles together. Negotiation between Polish representatives (formed predominantly from the members of the National Democratic Party) and Russian participants in the Russian State Duma gradually changed their mutual perception from the deep-rooted hostility into political partnership. Nevertheless, the Polish position had to take into consideration the internal situation of Polish society. The ambivalent nature of the Neoslavonic Polish participation is possible to document by the analysis of the speeches during the negotiation in St. Petersburg and later during the Neo-Slav Congress in Prague. The rhetoric of the Slavonic enthusiasm was combined with the policy of national interests. Polish representatives started to play a risky game and they were forced to balance between the loyalty to Russians and preservation of national trust.

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