Działalność społeczno-polityczna Józefa Nakoniecznego (1879-1915)
Józef Nakonieczny's (1879-1915) Social-Political Activity

Summary/Abstract: The figure of Józef Nakonieczny is counted among very deserved social-political activists of the Kingdom. He can be a symbol of the peasantry activity in political and social areas at the turn of 19th and 20th centuries. Raised in a peasant family, Nakonieczny was a self-taught individual. He was interested in history and Polish literature as well as foreign languages: Russian and French. His intelligence and courage helped him to develop successfully contacts with the representatives of various classes. He was involved in the underground work of the national organizations, which required great sacrifice and devotion. Józef Nakonieczny popularized strictly prohibited matters on the territory stretching from Galicia to the Kingdom lands. He defended Polish victims of tsarist authorities who forced them to convert to the Russian Orthodox Church. For his activity Nakonieczny was exiled deep into Russia. Thanks to an amnesty by Tsar Nicholas II, he returned to his home village after sixteen months of wandering. During the Russian Revolution 1905-1907 he made public appeals for national rights. Józef Nakonieczny proved himself to be adamantly opposed to strikes and anarchy. As a parliamentary of the Duma, he protected polish rights and interests of polish farmers from the Kingdom. His speeches and ideas of the upswing in economic and social situation were published in the newspapers in Polish, appearing on the Kingdom lands. Nakonieczny took on bold initiatives: he established the associations of great economic significance and promoted education among the people from the class he came from. Cooperating with Roman Dmowski and the activists of the other political parties, he tried to involve as many citizens as possible in fighting for the cause of freedom of the Polish people. Not forgetting about those who were harmed by the war, Józef Nakonieczny demanded the war indemnities. He also insisted on stopping commandeering of agricultural produces and also tried to obtain funds for the reconstructions of the churches. He died tragically in a car crash on 11 April 1915 near Kurów. Crowds of thousands of peasants, gentry, intelligentsia and clergy that gathered for his funeral ceremony proved that Józef Nakonieczny was held in great esteem by virtually everyone.

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