Between historiography and apology: Institute for Research in the Modern History of Poland and the beginnings of research on the history of armed struggles for Poland’s independence (1923–1939)

Abstract

The article aims to outline the role played by the Institute for Research in the Modern History of Poland, established in 1923, in relation to military history. The Institute’s focus lay on independence activities, especially of Józef Piłsudski’s camp. Military history was therefore only a part of the Institute’s activity concerned with collecting and publishing materials. In terms of military history, one should mention the publication of Józef Piłsudski’s writings and memoirs from the period of the Polish Legions, the activities of the Polish Military Organisation and the Polish–Soviet War. An important element of the Institute’s scientific activity was the periodical “Niepodległość” [Independence], published since 1930, in which, however, strictly military topics remained, at least until 1935, very limited. After Piłsudski’s death, the name of the institution was changed to the Józef Piłsudski Institute for Research in the Modern History of Poland and its attention reoriented on the study of the life and activities of the Marshal. The Institute was also further professionalised. Its achievements include works significant for the history of Polish military science and despite its political nature, one-sidedness and research bias, they constitute a lasting contribution to Polish military historiography.