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This is a chronological list of wars in which Poland or its predecessor states of took an active part, extending from the reign of Mieszko I (960–992) to the present. This list does not include peacekeeping operations (such as UNPROFOR, UNTAES or UNMOP), humanitarian missions or training missions supported by the Polish Armed Forces.
The list gives the name, the date, the Polish allies and enemies, and the result of these conflicts following this legend:
- Polish victory
- Polish defeat
- Another result
- Internal conflict
- Ongoing conflict
Piast Poland (960–1138)
Main article: History of Poland during the Piast dynastyDuring the Middle Ages, Poland sought to incorporate other fellow West Slavic peoples under the rule of the Polan dukes, such as Mieszko I, Boleslaw I Chrobry and their descendants, and then defend the lands conquered in the west from the Holy Roman Empire. In the east and south it struggled with Ruthenia, Bohemia and Tatar raiders. In the north-east, it encountered intermittent Lithuanian and Prussian raids.
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Feudal fragmentation (1138–1320)
Main article: Feudal fragmentation of PolandIn 1138, after the death of Bolesław III Wrymouth, Poland was divided into districts ruled by local princes. This began a period of feudal fragmentation that lasted for more than 187 years during which Poland was severely weakened due to incessant internal conflicts. The feudal fragmentation ended in 1320 during the reign of Władyslaw I Lokietek.
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Reunited Kingdom of Poland (1320–1385)
Main article: History of Poland during the Piast dynastyIn 1320, after the end of the feudal fragmentation, during the reign of Władyslaw I Łokietek and his son Casimir III the Great, Poland experienced a period of strong economic development, this period also increased migration to Poland especially of Germans and Jews. The period ended after the death of Casimir the Great and the assumption of the Polish throne by Louis I.
| Date | Conflict | Belligerents 1 | Belligerents 2 | Leaders | Events | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1323 | Polish–Hungarian expedition to Ruthenia |  Kingdom of Poland.svg){kind=small} Kingdom of Hungary
|
 Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia
|
Victory | ||
| 1326 | Raid on Brandenburg | Kingdom of Poland
|
 Margraviate of Brandenburg
|
Victory | ||
| 1326–
1332 |
Polish-Teutonic War | Kingdom of Poland
|
 Teutonic Knights
|
Indecisive | ||
| 1340–
1392 |
Galicia-Volhynia Wars | Kingdom of Poland
|
Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia
|
Victory | ||
| 1345–
1348 |
Polish-Czech War | Kingdom of Poland
|
 Kingdom of Bohemia
|
Indecisive | ||
| 1352–1358 | Maciek Borkowicz's Confederation [pl] | Kingdom of Poland
|
Maciek Borkowicz's ConfederationFamilies from Greater Poland and Brandenburg | Victory | ||
| 1375–
1377 |
Hungarian-Ottoman War | Kingdom of Poland
|
 Ottoman Empire
|
Victory | ||
| 1381–
1385 |
Greater Poland Civil War |  Grzymała
|
 Nałęcz
|
Internal conflict |
.svg){kind=icon}
Jagiellon Poland (1385–1569)
For much of its early history as a Christian state, Poland had to contend with Pomeranians, Prussians, Lithuanians and other Baltic peoples in continuous border wars without clear results or end in sight. After the Teutonic Order conquered and assimilated the Prussians, it began incursions into both Polish and Lithuanian territories. This represented a far greater threat to both Poland and Lithuania, and the two countries united in a defensive alliance by the crowning of the Lithuanian Duke Jogaila as King of Poland (as Władysław II) which led to a major confrontation at the Battle of Grunwald in 1410 and subsequent wars until 1525, when the Order became a vassal to the Polish Crown.
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Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (1569–1795)
Main article: List of wars involving the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Further information: History of Poland in the early modern period (1569–1795)The 17th century saw fierce rivalry between the then major Eastern European powers – Sweden, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Ottoman Empire. At its heyday, the Commonwealth comprised the territories of present-day Poland, and large parts of Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Russia, and represented a major European power. However, by the end of the 18th century a series of internal conflicts and wars with foreign enemies led to the dissolution of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and the partitioning of most of its dependent territories among other European powers.
During the 18th century, European powers (most frequently consisting of Russia, Sweden, Prussia and Saxony) fought several wars for the control of the territories of the former Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. At the end of the 18th century, some Poles attempted to defend Poland from growing foreign influence in the country's internal affairs. These late attempts to preserve independence eventually failed, ultimately ending in Poland's partition and the final dissolution of the remains of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Napoleonic Wars (Duchy of Warsaw)
Main articles: Polish Legions (Napoleonic period) and Napoleonic WarsPoles unsuccessfully struggled to win back their independence throughout the 19th century. At first, they put their hopes in Napoleon. Later, they tried to ignite national uprisings every now and then – most of them bloodily repressed.
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Poland under partitions (1815–1918)
Main articles: History of Poland (1795–1918) and History of Poland under partitionsPoles unsuccessfully struggled to win back their independence throughout the 19th century. At first, they put their hopes in Napoleon. Later, they tried to ignite national uprisings every now and then – most of them bloodily repressed.
| Date | Conflict | Belligerents 1 | Belligerents 2 | Leaders | Events | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1830–
1831 |
November Uprising |  Kingdom of Poland
|
 Russian Empire
|
Defeat | ||
| 1846 | Kraków Uprising |  Poles [pl]
|
 Austrian Empire |
Defeat | ||
| 1848 | Greater Poland Uprising | Poles |  Prussia
|
Defeat | ||
| 1863–
1864 |
January Uprising | .svg){kind=small} Poles
|
Russian Empire
|
Defeat | ||
| 1905–
1907 |
Revolution of 1905 |  Polish revolutionaries [pl] |
Russian Empire |
Defeat | ||
| 1914–
1918 |
World War I |  German Empire Austria-Hungary Polish LegionsCentral Powers
|
Russian Empire
 British Empire
 French Third Republic
|
Victory |
Second Polish Republic (1918–1939)
Main articles: History of Poland (1918–1939) and History of Poland during World War IIn the turmoil of the First World War, Poles managed to regain independence and then to expand their territory in a series of local wars and uprisings; only to be occupied again during the next world war.
Poland during World War II (1939–1945)
Main articles: History of Poland (1939–1945) and Occupation of Poland (1939–1945)The history of Poland from 1939 to 1945 encompasses primarily the period from the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union to the end of World War II. Following the German–Soviet non-aggression pact, Poland was invaded by Nazi Germany on 1 September 1939 and by the Soviet Union on 17 September. The campaigns ended in early October with Germany and the Soviet Union dividing and annexing the whole of Poland. After the Axis attack on the Soviet Union in the summer of 1941, the entirety of Poland was occupied by Germany, which proceeded to advance its racial and genocidal policies across Poland.
| Date | Conflict | Belligerents 1 | Belligerents 2 | Leaders | Events | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | World War II – September Campaign |  Second Polish Republic
|
 Nazi Germany
|
Defeat | ||
| 1939–
1945 |
World War II – Polish resistance |  Polish Underground State
|
Nazi Germany
|
Indecisive | ||
| 1939–
1945 |
World War II – Western Front | Polish government-in-exile
|
Nazi Germany
|
Victory | ||
| 1943–
1945 |
World War II – Eastern Front | Polish Republic
|
Nazi Germany
|
Victory |
Communist Poland (1945–1989)
Main articles: History of Poland (1945–1989) and Polish People's RepublicThe second half of the 20th century was more peaceful, but still tense, as Poland was involved in the Cold War on the Soviet side.
| Date | Conflict | Belligerents 1 | Belligerents 2 | Leaders | Events | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939–
1947 |
Polish–Ukrainian conflict | Polish Underground State
Polish People's Republic
|
 Ukrainian Insurgent Army
|
Victory | ||
| 1944–1953 | Anti-communist resistance in Poland | Polish People's Republic
|
Cursed soldiers | Internal conflict
| ||
| 1945 | Racibórz Conflict | Polish People's Republic
|
 Czechoslovakia
|
Indecisive | ||
| 1968 | Invasion of Czechoslovakia |  Warsaw Pact: Soviet Union People's Republic of Poland People's Republic of Hungary People's Republic of Bulgaria East Germany
|
Czechoslovakia
|
Victory |
Third Polish Republic (1989–present)
Main articles: History of Poland (1989–present) and Third Polish RepublicAt the beginning of the 21st century Poland is involved in the War against terrorism on the NATO side.
| Date | Conflict | Belligerents 1 | Belligerents 2 | Leaders | Events | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990–
1991 |
Gulf War | Coalition of the Gulf War: Poland United States of America France
|
 Iraq
|
Victory | ||
| 1994–1995 | Operation Uphold Democracy | United States of AmericaHaitian Opposition Poland Argentina
 CARICOM
|
 Haiti
|
Victory | ||
| 2001–2021 | War on Terror (Main phase) | United States of America United Kingdom Polandothers
|
 al-Qaeda Talibanothers
|
Victory | ||
| 2003 | 2003 invasion of Iraq | United States of America United Kingdom Polandothers
|
Iraq
|
Victory | ||
| 2007 | War in Afghanistan (Polish intervention) | Poland Afghan National Army
|
Taliban
|
Victory | ||
| 2007 | Iraq War (Polish intervention) | United States of America United Kingdom Poland Iraqi Security Forces
|
 Mahdi Army
|
Indecisive | ||
| 2013–2014 | Operation Serval |  France Mali PolandOthers
|
Islamic militants
|
Victory |
See also
- History of the Polish Army
- List of Napoleonic battles
- List of wars involving Germany – An aspect of German military history
- List of wars involving Russia
- List of wars involving Ukraine
- Polish–Ottoman Wars
- Polish–Russian Wars – Russo-Polish Wars
- Polish–Swedish wars
Notes
- Defeat of Central Powers and Russia, but fulfilling the goal of Polish national liberation movements
- Success of the Zamość Uprising, partial success of Akcja "Burza"
References
- Urbańczyk 2017, p. 85.
- "Cesarz Otton III. Uczestnik zjazdu w Gnieźnie. Jak widział przyszłość Europy?". Historia Do Rzeczy (in Polish). 2023-01-23.
W 995 roku Otton III porozumiał się z Bolesławem Chrobrym w sprawie wspólnego ataku na Słowian Połabskich, jednak misja zakończyła się porażką, a Słowianie zaczęli odważniej i częściej najeżdżać tereny Niemiec.
- Panek, Jaroslav; Tuma, Oldrich; Alii, Et (2018). A history of the Czech lands. Charles University. p. 28. ISBN 978-80-246-2227-9.
- Nicolle, David; Sarnecki, Witold (2012-02-20). Medieval Polish Armies 966–1500. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 6. ISBN 978-1-78096-502-4.
- Poczet królów i książąt polskich. Warsaw: Czytelnik. 1984. p. 54.
- ^ "Jak król Bolesław niewierne żony ukarał". CiekawostkiHistoryczne.pl (in Polish). 2020-05-25.
- ^ po/PAP (2011-12-24). "Trochę historii: 935 lat temu Bolesław Szczodry został królem Polski". Newsweek (in Polish).
- "Bolesław Śmiały i Stanisław ze Szczepanowa. Krwawa rozprawa króla z biskupem zdrajcą | HISTORIA.org.pl - historia, kultura, muzea, matura, rekonstrukcje i recenzje historyczne". HISTORIA.org.pl (in Polish). 2021-03-04.
- Pashuto 1968, p. 44.
- Nadgoplańskie Towarzystwo Historyczne (2016). Bitwa nad Gopłem 1096 r. - przyczyny i skutki walki.
- Długosz, Jan. Roczniki czyli kroniki sławnego królestwa Polskiego, vol 3&4 (PDF) (in Polish).
- Pashuto 1968, p. 151-152.
- ^ Pashuto 1968, p. 151.
- Pashuto 1968, p. 152.
- Karamzin, Nikolay (1824). "IX". История Государства Российского [History of the Russian state] (in Russian). Vol. II.
- Pashuto 1968, p. 153.
- Długosz, Jan. Roczniki czyli kroniki sławnego królestwa Polskiego, vol 5&6 (PDF) (in Polish).
- Pashuto 1968, p. 159.
- Włodarski 1927, p. 15-16.
- Włodarski 1927, p. 87.
- Włodarski 1927, p. 39.
- Włodarski 1927, p. 50.
- ^ Włodarski 1927, p. 88.
- "Henryk I Brodaty". zamki.name.
- "Walka o tron krakowski po śmierci Leszka Białego w 1227 r." historia.interia.pl (in Polish).
- Pashuto 1968, p. 252.
- Kazimierz Lepszy, Słownik biograficzny historii powszechnej do XVII stulecia. Wiedza Powszechna Warszawa 1968
- Boras, Zygmunt (1983). Książęta Piastowscy Wielkopolski (Poznańskie ed.). pp. 153–154.
- Świeżawski, Aleksander (2006). Przemysł – król Polski (DiG ed.). pp. 48, 100.
- ^ Długosz, Jan. Roczniki czyli kroniki sławnego królestwa Polskiego, vol 7&8 (PDF) (in Polish).
- Kotlâr, Mikola Fedorovič (2003). Diplomatiâ ûžnoj Rusi. Slavânskaâ biblioteka. Sankt-Peterburg: Aletejâ. p. 322. ISBN 978-5-89329-593-1.
- Rocznik Krzeszowski Większy, w: MPH, t. II
- Kronika książąt polskich,w: MPH, t.II
- Nowak, A. (2010). Historia Polski. Kalendarium dziejów: Pradzieje-1655. p. 183.
- Leszczyńscy, A.; Leszczyńscy, M. Najważniejsze wydarzenia w historii Polski i świata.
- Gieysztor, Aleksander; Kieniewicz, Stefan; Rostwokowski, Emanuel; Tazbir, Janusz; Wereszycki, Henryk (1979). History of Poland. Warsaw: Polish Scientific Publishers. p. 149.
- Besala, Jerzy. Wielkie zwycięstwa Rzeczypospolitej. p. 28.
- Bánlaky, József. Az 1619. évi hadjárat. A magyar nemzet hadtörténelme (in Hungarian).
- Officially neutral but Danish fleet was attacked by Britain at the Battle of Copenhagen.
- Abolished following the restoration of the neutral Papal States in 1799.
- Short lived state that replaced the Kingdom of Naples in 1799.
- Nominally the Holy Roman Empire, of which the Austrian Netherlands and the Duchy of Milan were under direct Austrian rule. Also encompassed many other Italian states, as well as other Habsburg states such as the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
- ^ Joined the Confederation of the Rhine on 11 December 1806.
Further reading
- Gąsowski, Tomasz (1999). Bitwy polskie: leksykon. Kraków: Społeczny Instytut Wydawniczy Znak. ISBN 83-7006-787-5.
- Kozłowski, Eligiusz; Wrzosek, Mieczysław (1984). Historia oręża polskiego 1795–1939. Warszawa: Wiedza Powszechna. ISBN 83-214-0339-5.
- Lawson, M. K. (2004). Cnut – England's Viking King (2nd ed.). Stroud: Tempus. ISBN 0-7524-2964-7.
- Nowak, Tadeusz M.; Wimmer, Jan (1981). Historia oręża polskiego 963–1795. Warszawa: Wiedza Powszechna. ISBN 83-214-0133-3.
- Reuter, Timothy (1995). The New Cambridge Medieval History: Volume 3, c.900–c.1024. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 891. ISBN 9780521364478. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- Sikorski, Janusz (1972). Zarys historii wojskowości powszechnej do końca wieku XIX. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Ministerstwa Obrony Narodowej. OCLC 20835374.
- Winged Hussars, Radoslaw Sikora, Bartosz Musialowicz, BUM Magazine, 2016.
- Włodarski, Bronisław (1927), Polityka ruska Leszka białego, vol. III
- Pashuto, Vladimir (1968), Внешняя политика Руси [The foreign policy of Russia] (in Russian), Moscow: Наука
- Urbańczyk, Przemysław (2017). Bolesław Chrobry - Lew Ryczący (PDF). Toruń. ISBN 9788323138860.
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Further reading
Main articles: Bibliography of the history of Poland and Bibliography of Poland during World War II| Polish wars and conflicts | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General and related |
| ||||||||
| Piast Poland |
| ||||||||
| Jagiellon Poland |
| ||||||||
| Commonwealth |
| ||||||||
| Poland partitioned | |||||||||
| Second Republic | |||||||||
| World War II in Poland |
| ||||||||
| People's Republic | |||||||||
| Third Republic | |||||||||
| Lists of wars involving European countries | |
|---|---|
| Sovereign states |
|
| States with limited recognition | |
| Dependencies and other entities | |