Nationalitätenfragen in der polnischen Anwaltschaft der Zwischenkriegszeit

Abstract

The rebirth of the Polish state after a long period of partition constituted a great opportunity as well as a new challenge for professionals in the Bar association. The Bar association attained self-governing status. This, on the one hand, enabled the group to create an environment and to strengthen the social significance of this group in Poland. On the other hand, it created dangers caused by the different traditions which were cultivated in different parts of the formerly partitioned Poland. Another factor contributing to the problem was the multinational composition of the Bar. The Bar during the interwar years was highly divided ethnically. The Jewish and Ukrainian minorities had an especially strong representation. The Bar organizations protected their national autonomy. The conflict between the numerous associations, which were formally open for minorities and practically organized according to national interests, was severe. This conflict was especially visible in Lesser Poland. The pressure of professional competition cast a shadow over the Bar’s ethos. Antagonisms based on nationality were present in the researched period with a varying degree of intensity and appeared in different forms. The situation was finally alleviated by the act from 1938. The looming threat of the impending war also contributed to their appeasement.