The language policy of the Polish state towards national minorities in interwar Poland – selected aspects

Abstract

The legal and political situation of national minorities in the reborn Polish state was complicated. The status of minorities and their rights were guaranteed by the provisions of the Little Treaty of Versailles of 1919. The actions of national minorities influenced the Polish state to a different extent. The regaining of independence by Poland changed many areas of life. Poland in the interwar period was multinational and multi-religious. The Polish state, faced with many challenges, was forced to pursue an appropriate language policy towards minorities living in the territory of the Republic of Poland. The aim of this article present the policy pursued by the Polish state, especially the language policy towards national minorities, and to indicate the most important legal changes relating to national minorities that took place in interwar Poland.