Polacy a władza w BSRR w latach 1944–1991

Abstract

After the Second World War the largest number of Poles living in the Soviet Union remained in Belarus. Consequently, the governments of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (BSSR) faced the necessity of determining the directions of the nationality policy towards the Belarusian Poles. It should be emphasized that after World War II a stereotype and a strong tendency to ignore the Poles in Western Belarus territories dominated. Nevertheless, the authorities were aware of the atmosphere among the Poles; the policy aimed at reducing the influence of the Catholic Church; moreover, satisfying the cultural and educational needs was the attempt to neutralize the hostile attitude of the Polish minority towards the Soviet Union. The Khrushchev Thaw changed the situation. The established Belarusian Society of Friendship and Cultural Links with Foreign Countries became the coordinator of the international cultural cooperation of the Republic, the main structure which was maintaining cultural ties with the People’s Republic of Poland (PRL). It should be also noted that quite intensive bilateral Polish-Belarusian cultural, scientific and economic relations were directed not only at the Belarusian Poles, but also towards the whole Belarusian society.