historynut.info created by Tim Sheehan the self-proclaimed history nut Home >> About the Author

Woodrow Wilson and Poland’s Independence

Table of Contents | Introduction | Conclusion | Endnotes | Related Web Resources

A Game of Empty Promises
Page 2 of 15

Russia, Germany (Prussia), and Austria-Hungary cooperated with each other in the 1795 division of Polish territory. However things changed with the start of World War I. In 1914 Russia became enemies with Germany and Austria–Hungary. Russia allied itself with Great Britain and France in fighting the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey). Russia, Germany, and Austria-Hungary all made promises of an autonomous or independent Poland. Grand Duke Nicolas, Russia’s Commander in Chief from 1914-1915, asked for the Pole’s wartime support in exchange for a united, self-governed Poland. Germany and Austria-Hungary made the same gestures to Poles in order to get all Poles to fight against Russia. The belligerents used such statements as a means to obtain the support of Poles under their enemy’s control.(4)

Although the United States remained neutral during the first few years of the War, the Wilson Administration kept itself involved in the diplomatic discussions regarding terms for peace. Wilson believed that the belligerents would turn to the United States as a mediator for peace, since the U.S. kept its cool during a time of heated emotions.(5) The restoration of Poland was often offered as a condition for peace. In November of 1914, Wilson was informed that two associates of Field Marshal Sir John Denton, the Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force, predicted that the War would reach a stalemate by mid 1915. In regards to a settlement, the two firmly believed that, “[e]very country must maintain its nationality.” The two went on to list nationalities they felt should have their own sovereignty, one of which was Poland.(6)

Throughout 1915, German and Austrian diplomats met with Wilson or one of his associates to discuss peace terms. Both Germany and Austria offered a “restoration” of the Kingdom of Poland as a condition of peace.(7) Restoration is a very vague term. Did it mean an autonomous or independent Poland? After meeting with Constantin Theodore Dumba of Austria, Wilson’s unofficial advisor, Colonel Edward Mandell House, warned Wilson that restoration meant a Polish kingdom “under the suzerainty of Austria- Germany.”(8) Due to its control over Russian Poland by the winter of 1915, Germany was unwilling to give up its conquered Territory.(9)

On 5 November 1916, the Central powers issued a proclamation that promised an autonomous kingdom. They promoted it as a decree of freedom for Poles from Russia. Autonomy, however, would not take effect until the war had ended. Critics of Germany viewed this news as a means for Germans to recruit those in conquered Russian Poland into their army. In the meantime, on 8 December 1916, the Central Powers set up a Provisional Government in Warsaw to manage their war prize.(10) Not wishing to be outdone by the Central Powers, the Russian Tsar stated on 25 December 1916 that one of Russia’s war aims included a free and united Poland.(11) The game of empty promises continued, with Germany as the front-runner, exploiting its control over the Poles.

©2007-2012 Tim Sheehan tim@historynut.info

Previous Page | top-of-page | Next Page

This page last updated 1 January 2012