The Phenomenon of the Resurgent Republic of Poland after the Partitions of Poland, or the Poles’ Struggle for Eastern Galicia in 1918–1923

Abstract

Complicated ethnic relations and the awakening national identity of the Ukrainians, further stimulated by the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, spurred the efforts of the Ukrainian population of eastern Galicia to assert their independence. The lands of this province became a disputed area between Poles and Ukrainians. Its capital city of Lviv, overwhelmingly populated by Poles, naturally aspired to reunite with the Polish Republic, which was reborn after more than 120 years. The chaos caused by the collapse of the Habsburg Empire and the lack of clear decisions about the future of the disputed lands led to fighting in Lviv and other cities of the province. The end of hostilities in July 1919, which was victorious for the Polish side, did not lead to a final settlement at the peace conference in Paris. At that time, Polish diplomacy faced the task of convincing the Entente states to grant the territory of Eastern Galicia to Poland. These efforts were successful, and the province eventually became part of Poland in the first quarter of 1923.