United States of Poland
United States of Poland (Polish: Stany Zjednoczone Polski) was an unrealized political concept of reborn Poland, created by Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860–1941). It was first presented in Paderewski Memorial, given to US President Woodrow Wilson on 11 January 1917.
Paderewski's idea postulated rebuilding a Polish state as federation, in which constitution and law would guarantee equality to citizens, ethnic and religious groups. Territory would engulf most of pre-partitioned territory. Taking into account of that time population, the country would have 54 million citizens. On its head would be a President with a title of the King of Poland, Lithuania, Polesia and Halych.[1]
Administrative regions
United States of Poland were to be a number of autonomous states including:
- Kingdom of Poland
- Kingdom of Lithuania
- Kingdom of Polesia
- Kingdom of Galicia-Podolia
- Kingdom of Volhynia
Later the concept of Galicia-Podolia was supplanted by Kingdom of Halych, in separate memorial there was also postulate of incorporating an Eastern Prussia into it.[1]
Ukrainian problem
The postulate of creation of Kingdoms of Halych and Polesia in the lands inhabited by large numbers of Ukrainians did not satisfy their interests in creation of an independent state. Paderewski did not pursue the matter due to large percentage of Ukrainian population living in those regions with a different politics and demography.
References
- ^ a b Joanna Gierowska-Kałłaur Zarząd Cywilny Ziem Wschodnich (19 lutego 1919 – 9 września 1920), Neriton, Instytut Historii PAN, Warszawa 2003, p.19, ISBN 83-88973-60-6