Rząd Jędrzeja Moraczewskiego 17 XI 1918-16 I 1919 r. (struktura, funkcjonowanie, dekrety)
Streszczenie
Jędrzej Moraczewski's Cabinet was the first government to maintain control
of such a significant part of Poland (the entire Kingdom of Poland together with
western Galicia); however, from the very beginning it had to struggle with a truly
dramatic economic situation in the Polish territory. In the middle of 1919 war
damages were estimated to reach about 14 billion francs! The government began
its activity in the times of growing social radicalism; yet, the process of the state
structure formation proceeded efficiently, mainly due to the existing machinery of
the former Regency Council. The cabinet successfully withstood the chaos, which
had been spreading in the country in the first weeks of independence, as well as
prevented Bolshevik revolution, for which Polish communists had been striving.
This success resulted from a balanced policy of the government, which admitted
to power neither the Right nor the communist Left, and which won the favour of
the leftist electorate, i.e. working classes. At the same time the government assurred
social rights and thus provided bearable living conditions (other factors -
the fact of regaining independence, resulting in social enthusiasm along with the
external threat, significantly strengthening the bond between the government and
the nation, were greatly important). But not everyone in the society could appreciate
the significance of the government's social reforms. Without doubt, it was
caused by incomprehension of such far-reaching reforms in many circles, as well
as by political and ideological animosities between different parties. This process
was additionally intensified by district particularism. Also unfavourable attitude
towards new authorities demonstrated by the western countries could have exerted
negative influence on the government's picture in the eyes of the Polish
society. The great western powers still considered the Polish National Committee,
residing in Paris, as the Polish "government in exile". Nonetheless, by applying
the accomplishec-facts strategy, the Cabinet of Moraczewski managed to implement
revolutionary changes and efficiently avoided disturbances in the society. In
comparison to the situation from the times of partitions this was one of the greatest
achievements of his government.
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