Postawy młodzieży i nauczycieli obwodu białostockiego pod radzieckim zaborem (1939-1941)

Abstract

The present article is an attempt to show the attitudes of Polish students and teachers in the district of Białystok to the military aggression and annexation of this district by the Soviet Union. The author examines the reaction of teachers and students to the Soviet educational policy as well as their resistance activities outside schools. The paper draws material from numerous reports - both oral and written - of people who witnessed those events, as well as Soviet documents published in the years 1939-1942 by the institutions of the party and security apparatus of BSRR. Additionally, the article uses the information included in the three official magazines published in the Białystok district at the time ("Wolna Praca", "Nowe Życie", "Wolna Łomża") . The present work shows that the attitude of Polish teachers and students towards the new ruling classes was clearly negative. From the very beginning, when the Soviet Army entered Poland, they realized the importance of preserving Polish national identity. In many instances it amounted to military actions against the Soviet army. Later on, many of them decided to remain in hiding or leave the country, escaping the aggressor in this way. The others had to learn to adapt to the new Iiving conditions, remembering that every irresponsible move could result in them being arrested or driven into exile. The new ideology was never generally accepted and all attempts at making it popular were received with resistance. During the 21 months of the Soviet rule in the district of Białystok, the authorities failed to Russify or persuade the students and the teachers to accept their ideology. They knew they had to defend their long-established values: the nationally identity, religion, and traditions. During that difficult time, when they were in danger of repressive measures, they did not give up but tried to resist the aggressor. Their anti-Soviet attitude was evident in all their actions.