PHC Virtual Program Featuring Dr. James S. Pula

One of the significant international outcomes of World War I was the emergence or reemergence of nation states in Eastern and East Central Europe based on ethnic aspirations. These included Poland, Finland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. For the most part these were creations mandated following the war by the Entente as the price Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire paid for losing the war. Although in some cases ethnic lobbying efforts were undertaken to support these nationalistic ambitions, none came anywhere close to the political pressure, military contribution, and humanitarian relief efforts undertaken by the international Polish diaspora living abroad. This illustrated PowerPoint presentation, focusing mostly on North American Polonia, will explore the crucial roles played by Poles abroad in the struggle to regain Polish independence and forge the Second Republic.