Germany, Russia and the Polish Question in the Journalism of Jędrzej Giertych in the Paris Monthly "Horyzonty" (1956-1971) Cover Image

Niemcy, Rosja i kwestia polska w publicystyce Jędrzeja Giertycha na łamach "Horyzontów" paryskich (1956-1971)
Germany, Russia and the Polish Question in the Journalism of Jędrzej Giertych in the Paris Monthly "Horyzonty" (1956-1971)

Author(s): Krzysztof Tarka
Subject(s): Political Sciences
Published by: Instytut Zachodni im. Zygmunta Wojciechowskiego
Keywords: Polish emigration after World War II; émigré journalism; Jędrzej Giertych; Paris “Horyzonty”

Summary/Abstract: 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 journalism 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 Poland’s natural ally, and Poland was Russia’s natural ally. Cooperation between the two countries was to be cemented by the Chinese threat.

  • Issue Year: 362/2017
  • Issue No: 01
  • Page Range: 57-73
  • Page Count: 17
  • Language: English, Polish