The Civilian Population Towards the Polish-Soviet War in the Light of the Provincial National Defence Committe's Documentation in Lublin (1920–1921)

Abstract

The Provincial National Defence Committee in Lublin was an extremely important institution for enabling cooperation between the army and the civilian population. Their documents have been preserved and are kept in the State Archives in Lublin. Similar organisations functioned in many Polish cities but unfortunately the archival materials concerned their activities have been preserved only partially or not at all. That’s why, treating the documentation of the Committee in Lublin as a model one is fully justified.

The files of the Provincial National Defence Committee in Lublin are very important for explorers of military and social history of the 1919–1921 conflict. They contain really essential remarks concerning functioning of public life in individual counties and boroughs. We learn how different social groups supported the Polish Army from objective and deprived of the language of propaganda reports. We also learn how tax collection was organised for the army from these reports. Apart from these activities we also receive information about indifference or even hostility towards some frontline actions. Such negative occurances are especially desertion and avoiding of military service.