The Battle of Warsaw 1920 - Part II
The Council of National Defence & Government of National Defence
Tasks & Goals
In 1920, members of the Legislative Sejm were involved in the defense of the country. The Sejm of the revived state elected a year earlier, convened to enact the constitution and consolidate the lands previously ruled by the three partitioners. Several dozen parliamentarians joined in the work of institutions responsible for the organisation of defence, especially the Council of National Defence and the Government of National Defence. They became true centres of decision making, consensus-seeking and integration across divides.
Act on Establishment of the Council of National Defence (1920) by Marshal of the Legislative Sejm Wojciech Trąpczyński, Prime Minister Władysław GrabskiThe Sejm - Polish Parliament
The Council of National Defence, established by the Act of 1 July 1920, was the deciding body in all matters related to waging and ending of war and concluding of peace; it combined legislative and executive powers.
The Council of National Defence: officials composing it ex officio (1920) by Graphic by Dariusz KondeferThe Sejm - Polish Parliament
The Council of National Defence included, ex officio, the most important officials in the country: the Chief of State as Chairman, the Marshal of the Legislative Sejm and the Prime Minister.
The Council of National Defence, representatives of parliamentary clubs (1920) by Graphic by Dariusz KondeferThe Sejm - Polish Parliament
The Council of National Defence was co-founded by representatives of the main parliamentary clubs in the Legislative Sejm, the first parliament of the reborn Poland.
For the civilians and the army alike, it was an expression of the unification of all political forces in defence of the nation and the state.
Council of National Defence, representatives of the government (1920) by Graphic by Dariusz KondeferThe Sejm - Polish Parliament
The Council of National Defence also included government representatives, Deputy Prime Minister and three ministers appointed by the Council of Ministers.
Council of National Defence, representatives of the Army (1920) by Graphic by Dariusz KondeferThe Sejm - Polish Parliament
At the request of Józef Piłsudski, acting as Commander-in-Chief, representatives of the Army were also appointed to the Council of National Defence.
The Council of National Defence’s appeal to soldiers (July 3, 1920) by On behalf of The Council of National Defence Józef PiłsudskiThe Sejm - Polish Parliament
In the appeal of 3 July 1920, soldiers were motivated to fight with words, “You are to win! You are to smash the enemy, crush his temptations for the freedom of your Homeland and your soldier’s fame!”.
Minutes of the 18thmeeting of the Council of National Defence with handwritten secret minutes (1920) by Józef Piłsudski, Wincenty WitosThe Sejm - Polish Parliament
The Council of National Defence was to be convened by the Chief of State or, under his authority, the Prime Minister.
To approve a resolution, the presence of 2/3 of the total number of its members was required, including at least 1/2 of the MPs composing the Council. Decisions were made by a simple majority of votes, with the Chairman having the casting vote.
Regulation of the Council of National Defence on Creation of the Cross of Valour (August 11, 1920) by Józef Piłsudski, Wincenty WitosThe Sejm - Polish Parliament
The Council of National Defence could issue regulations and orders that were immediately enforceable.
Cross of Valour (1920) by Graphic by Dariusz KondeferThe Sejm - Polish Parliament
The regulations and orders of the Council of National Defence requiring a resolution of the Sejm were to be submitted to the Sejm via the Prime Minister for approval at its next session.
Prime Minister Wincenty Witos (1920) by Jan MałetaThe Sejm - Polish Parliament
On 24 July 1920, the Government of National Defence was formed, a coalition cabinet with Wincenty Witos as Prime Minister.
In his policy statement, Wincenty Witos said, “We stand before the honourable members of the Sejm as the Government of National Defence appointed by the whole nation’s representation. When we take power at a dangerous time for our Homeland, we vow to concentrate all our forces to defend the borders of the country, the integrity and the independence of the Republic”.
Prime Minister Wincenty Witos (from the right) and Deputy Prime Minister Ignacy Daszyński (1920) by UnknownThe Sejm - Polish Parliament
The Government of National Defence was composed of representatives of most parliamentary clubs. Ignacy Daszyński, the leader of socialists in the Legislative Sejm, became Deputy Prime Minister.
The participation of the left in the cabinet was a response to the propaganda of the Third (Communist) International, emphasising, allegedly, the liberation of Polish peasants and workers by the Red Army.
Appeal of the Government of National Defence (August 5, 1920) by Council of MinistersThe Sejm - Polish Parliament
The Government of National Defence was appointed to mobilise the nation’s forces to repulse the Bolshevik invasion and end the war. The cabinet uniting all the most important parliamentary groups was a symbol of national consent across divides.
Agricultural reform announcement (1920) by The Presidium of the Council of MinistersThe Sejm - Polish Parliament
One of the most important socio-economic issues to be resolved during the war with the Bolsheviks was the implementation of the Act on Introduction of the Agricultural Reform. The legal act adopted by the Sejm on 15 July 1920 was supposed to improve the situation in Polish villages and encourage peasants to join the army.
Order of the White Eagle for Wincenty Witos (1921) by Graphic by Dariusz KondeferThe Sejm - Polish Parliament
The Government of National Defence ceased to operate on 13 September 1921. In the same year, Wincenty Witos was honoured with the highest Polish state decoration, the Order of the White Eagle.
