germanisaton and russification

7/29/2019 Germanisaton and Russification

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Polish culture during the Partitions


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Germanisation : Superimposition of other languages and cultures via

overruling by additional population with Germaniclanguages and cultures

Separate types of Prussian Germanisation and NaziGermanisation

Russification: All arrangements of Russian (and Soviet) internal policy

for broading the area of influence of Russian languageand culture account of other languages and cultures interms of a transculturation process


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Prussia = Rechtsstaat (constitutional state: politicalcommunity which operates wihtin the framework of law)

Religious toleration was generally observed

Long-standing tradition of social paternalism and solid,partly military leadership

Highly developed cultural life

Industrial Revolution in Prussia in 1780s

In this Age of Science and Industry, Prussia boasted one ofthe most modern societies in Europe and its Polish citizenswere free to reap the benefits.


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Prussian Poland: In official usage Grand Duchy of Posen (1815 1848)

In popular usage Polish Provinces: Posnania, WestPrussia, South Prussia, New Silesia, New East Prussia

In Polish eyes every area of the Kingdom of Prussiawhich in some way or another had been connected withPoland in the past

Reforms of 19th century

Right of Poles to autonomy within Kingdom of Prussiawas ensured in Treaty of Vienna


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1872 Prussian Empire tracked policy of roll back ofPolish language and culture: 1840s revolutionary outbreak in Prussian Poland

Suppression of Polish language in common language use

1873 German as only language of instruction in schools

1876/77 German as only language at courts andadministrations

1886 foundation of Prussian Settlement Commission

1908 Reichsvereinsgesetz


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1886 Prussian Settlement Commission for WestPrussia and Posnania: Reasons:

Increased emigration of German speaking citizens from

agrarian Eastern Provinces Goals:

General change in Prussian Poland Policy Resettling of German imigrants Purchase of indepted goods in Polish ownership

Weakening of Polish noblemen that were seen as mostimportant medium of Polish resistance Resettling of farmers should form aliving wall against the

Slavic flood


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Results: Less new settlement places than planned

Unwanted consolidation of Polish National Movement

Foundation of Polish Land Bank (Bank Ziemski) and Trade

Union Bank (Bank Spoek Zarobkowych) Finally bought more German than Polish land

Dispossession laws under Wilhelm II.


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Russia = system of Tsarist autocracy where strong Tsardepictured strong Russia and held unlimited powerwithout limitations through legal government

Tsar = head of National Orthodox Church

1905 after revolution Tsar was limited by ImperialCouncil

Mainly rural society


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1815 Constitution of Congress Poland: Eternal link to Russia Common perception of foreign policy by Russia Garanty for national language, national government,

independent courts, own army, freedom of press,religious tolerance for all Christian confessions, personalfreedom for rural citizens

Goal of preserving cultural and national identity ofPoland and permanent connection with Russia

1820 Carlsbad Decrees Common steps of reduction of freedom of press and

assembly (Prussia, Russia and Austria)


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1830 November Rising 1855 new Tsar Alexander II. started reforms in entire

empire 1863 January Rising

Kingdom Poland becomes Vistula Land Ban on Polish, Lithuanian and Ukrainian language 1864the genuine Russian personwas taken as criterion for

candidates of official institutions 1866 initiating closure of independent institutions

1875 forced merge of Catholic Church with RussianOrthodox Church Building of huge Orthodox cathedrals (f. e. Alexander Newski

Cathedral in Warsaw 1894 1912)


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Renaming f. e. of streets, shop signs etc.

Introducing Russian as only language in schools andgovernment

Ban of Polish books Showing sympathy for Polish language and concerns

became reasons for capturing

1905 introduction of relaxations

Suppression of Polish culture through actions ofmilitary police and with no legal base


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Part of Austrian Partition

Austrian Partition consisted of ten different ethnicies

No confessional differences between Polish citizens

and autonomy Active particitpation in politics possible

1846 Rising that was defeated by Galician farmers

themselves Liberal Poland policy


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Russian and PrussianPoland

Prussia: systematicsuppression of Polish

culture from 1872 onwith legal instruments

Russia: forciblesuppression of Polish

culture from 1830 onwithout legalinstruments

Austria: liberal Polandpolicy with self regulated

control of ethnicies

Galicia


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Norman Davies, Gods Playground. A History ofPoland. Vol. II: 1795 to the Present, New Edition,Oxford 1983

Jrgen Heyde, Geschichte Polens, Mnchen 2006

Jerzy Holzer, Ingo Eser [Transl.], Polen und Europa.Land, Geschichte, Identitt, 2nd Edition, Bonn 2007

Dieter Bingen, Krzysztof Ruchniewicz [Ed.],Lnderbericht Polen, Bonn 2009


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Sarah Seefried

germanisaton and russification

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