Pilsudski the Visionary Leader Humphrey

Pilsudski: Builder of Poland, fby Grace Humphrey. 1936

Excellent Detail About the January 1863 Insurrection, Pilsudski as a Revolutionary, etc.

This book devotes considerable attention to the failed January 1863 Insurrection, in which a small force of Poles took on the tsarist armies. The severe Russian repressions in the aftermath caused decades of severe apathy and fear among Poles. (e. g., p. 36, 49), (as also described by Dmowski in his works.)

Pilsudski grew up in Lithuania, which was ruled by the very heavy hand of Muraviev. Humphrey comments: “He (Muraviev) made no attempt to cover this russification with the cloak of law as Bismarck did in German Poland.” (p. 15). Muraviev confiscated 1,794 Polish estates and condemned over 5,000 persons to death. (p. 15). Poles routinely faced imprisonment and exile, often under the slightest pretext.

CONTEMPT FOR POLAND STOKES PILSUDSKI’S RIGHTEOUS ANGER, AND PILSUDSKI PUTS IT TO GOOD USE

Pilsudski’s mother would remove Polish books from their hiding places, and read them to the young Joseph and the other children. Mere possession of such books could have one sent to Siberia. The teenage Pilsudski had to endure humiliations of Poland in the Russian-controlled schools, and his mother told him to conceal his anger until a time that he could productively express it. He did!

Humphrey describes the thought process of the young adult Pilsudski: “All his dreams centered around a war with Russia which he hated with his whole soul.” (p. 31). For a time, Pilsudski identified with the Socialists. However, he disliked the fact that the Socialists wanted to replace the despotism of the tsar with a despotism of their own. (p. 46) and he disagreed with the class hatred fomented by the Socialists. (p. 55). Finally, people could not be free until Poland was free.

PILSUDSKI THE REVOLUTIONARY AND PILSUDSKI THE LEADER IN WHAT FIRST SEEMED LIKE A QUIXOTIC VENTURE

Pilsudski’s own revolutionary activity included the clever distribution of his underground newspaper, the ROBOTNIK (WORKER). Even though Dmowski and his Endeks were often at odds with Pilsudski as to the means of Poland recovering her independence, Dmowski reportedly “…sent him (Pilsudski) hearty congratulations after two years of steady publication.” (p. 56).

Later, Pilsudski led a small revolutionary Polish group known as the BOJOWKA (COMBAT UNIT). This grew into the Polish Riflemen (STRZELEC), and finally the Pilsudski Legions. However, although there had been a thaw in Polish fear and apathy after about 1900, Poles did not flock to nationalistic movements. Pilsudski’s units remained quite small until well into WWI. (p. 130). It took some time for Pilsudski to persuade the Poles to believe in themselves again.

PILSUDSKI COMPARED WITH OTHER WORLD-CLASS LEADERS

Pilsudski loved nature (p. 283) and he loved children. (p. 285). Humphrey compares Pilsudski to Joan of Arc (who had rallied her nation from discouragement following repeated defeats in war), to Oliver Cromwell (who became both leader of the army and head of the government), and to conspiracy leaders and guerrilla leaders such as Mazzini and Garibaldi, respectively. (p. 299).

Finally, Humphrey compares Pilsudski to George Washington. (pp. 299-300). Both men had no formal university or military school training. Both led armies composed of volunteers in rebellion against a powerful empire. Both were remarkable, self-taught strategists. Both rallied passive, discouraged people to success. Both died at age 67. Finally, both laid down their great power when they could easily have become king or dictator.

Would that Pilsudski’s spirit infect more Poles today.

Polska Sila! Polish Power!