The Political Conflict between Polish Liberal and National Democrats over the Separation of the Polish Corps within the Russian Army (March 1917 – May 1918).

The political conflict that arose in 1917 between emigrant circles of Polish liberals and national democrats regarding the separation of the Polish Corps from the Russian Army, remains relatively obscure in European historiography. Studies on this topic, mostly published in the 20th century, primarily relied on sources from archives in Warsaw, Cracow, and Moscow. It has been shown that Polish liberal democrats operating in Russia, opposing plans to segregate their compatriots into distinct corps within the Russian Army, received support from the occupying Central Powers and the Temporary Council of State established there. Conversely, their political rivals were backed by the Entente, which supported the actions of the national democrats in favor of the separation of the Polish Corps. This topic underscores the need for in-depth research into this intricate matter. Besides confirming existing findings, it is imperative to scrutinize previously untapped sources to gain a more profound understanding of the origins, progression, and repercussions of this political conflict. To achieve this, consulting Austro-Hungarian and Western European sources, as well as overlooked Polish and Russian ones, is essential. To be able to do so, official documentation, egodocuments, and contemporary press articles were used. In this instance, critical source analysis emerges as the optimal approach for the research process, complemented by historical-comparative analysis, particularly for older literature on the subject. The conclusions drawn in this article do not only address gaps in previous knowledge but also offer a launching pad for comprehensive comparative studies on the military policies of other Polish political groups during the Great War. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]