Polska będzie wielka, albo nie będzie jej wcale

– These words uttered by Marshal Józef Piłsudski testify to the nature of the struggle for the Polish borders during 1918–1921. The reinstatement of Polish independence was followed by a time of difficult decisions. The fight was waged not only over the shape of a specific portion of the border, but also over regions’ state affiliation. Poland was fighting with Bolshevik Russia for its survival as a state.

Dear reader, before you move on to the successful Polish uprisings, battles won, and successful diplomatic relations do realize that in 1918 Poland did not emerge out of nothing! During the great war of 1914–1918 Poles were active on all major military and political front lines. Led by Józef Piłsudski, the Polish Legions fought on the side of Austria-Hungary; the Polish I Corps, commanded by General Józef Dowbor-Muśnicki, was formed in Russia; while the Polish Blue Army, at the end of the war commanded by General Józef Haller, was established in France — these are only the most important Polish initiatives. Owing to those military and political efforts, in the act of 5 November Germany and Austria promised the establishment of a Polish state. That declaration was followed by a Russian, Italian, and American one, announced during President Woodrow Wilson’s 14 Points speech. Independent Poland with access to the sea became a condition for a peaceful post-war world order. On 11 November 1918 Germany signed the capitulation act — the Great War came to an end. On the same day the Regency Council established by the Germans transferred power to Józef Piłsudski, who arrived in Warsaw after being released from the Magdeburg fortress. That event is symbolically regarded as the moment when Poland regained her independence. But the borders of our Homeland were yet to be forged!