Poland throughout its history has periodically disappeared from the face of the map only to re-emerge phoenix-like mainly due to the dogged perseverance and a strong sense of national identity exhibited by the Poles that has transcended prolonged periods of foreign domination. At the start of the First World War in 1914, Poland had been under one of the periodic "partitions" that it has suffered in its tragic history -- having been divided among the three neighboring powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia for over a century. The events that followed during the War proved to be another turning point in the history of Poland and the Polish people -- although, the war resulted in untold suffering for the Polish people, it also provided them with an unexpected opportunity of independence. This essay describes the fortunes of the nation during the First World War, assesses the post-war peace settlement that...
[ View Full Essay]