This project has been funded with support This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This from the European Commission. This

presentation reflects the views only of the presentation reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be authors, and the Commission cannot be

held responsible for any use which may be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. made of the information contained therein.

THE 5 MOST IMPORTANT THE 5 MOST IMPORTANT RULERS: KINGS, RULERS: KINGS,

LEADERS, PRESIDENTS IN LEADERS, PRESIDENTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE HISTORY OF

POLANDPOLAND Based on detailed PPPs by Based on detailed PPPs by

Comenius team of ZSO nr 10 Comenius team of ZSO nr 10 Kielce, Poland:Kielce, Poland:

Weronika Matachowska, Weronika Matachowska, Katarzyna Sokołowska, Karol Katarzyna Sokołowska, Karol Galera,Adrian Uniat, Piotr Galera,Adrian Uniat, Piotr Niestój, Jakub Niestój, Jakub Maniara,Dawid Kwiatek, Maniara,Dawid Kwiatek, Izydor BieleckiIzydor Bielecki

Supervised by Beata Ciaś-SmutekSupervised by Beata Ciaś-Smutek

According to the survey conducted in According to the survey conducted in January 2014 in our school the 5 most January 2014 in our school the 5 most

significant Polish rulers aresignificant Polish rulers are

Lech Wałęsa – the presidentLech Wałęsa – the presidentJózef Piłsudski – the army leader, marshalJózef Piłsudski – the army leader, marshalJan III Sobieski – the kingJan III Sobieski – the kingBolesław I the Brave (Chrobry) – the kingBolesław I the Brave (Chrobry) – the kingMieszko I – the dukeMieszko I – the duke

The statistics of the votes among The statistics of the votes among 13-15 year-old gimnazjum students 13-15 year-old gimnazjum students

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LECH WAŁĘSA (born 1943)LECH WAŁĘSA (born 1943)

President of Poland – President of Poland – the first independent from Soviet Russiathe first independent from Soviet Russia

LECH WAŁĘSALECH WAŁĘSA An electrician who became the president of Poland An electrician who became the president of Poland

between 1990-1995between 1990-1995 A charismatic A charismatic politicianpolitician with direct simple language with direct simple language A co-founder of „Solidarity” first independent trade union A co-founder of „Solidarity” first independent trade union

in the Soviet block countriesin the Soviet block countries An effective union leader who wasn’t afraid to speak aloud An effective union leader who wasn’t afraid to speak aloud

what the workers felt what the workers felt A A human-rights activisthuman-rights activist who spoke in the White House who spoke in the White House Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1983Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1983 A father of 8 childrenA father of 8 children As a retired politician - a commentator of the political and As a retired politician - a commentator of the political and

economic realityeconomic reality

WAŁĘSA’S ACHIEVEMENTSWAŁĘSA’S ACHIEVEMENTS He was an organizer of the illegal 1970 He was an organizer of the illegal 1970

strikes at the Gdańsk Shipyard when strikes at the Gdańsk Shipyard when workers protested about the government workers protested about the government raising food prices; he was considered the raising food prices; he was considered the chairman of the strike committee.chairman of the strike committee.

He and his family were under constant He and his family were under constant surveillance by the Polish secret police; his surveillance by the Polish secret police; his home and workplace were always bugged. home and workplace were always bugged. Over the next few years, he was arrested Over the next few years, he was arrested several times for participating in dissident several times for participating in dissident activities.activities.

He started the changes in Poland which He started the changes in Poland which later inspired people abroad which later inspired people abroad which resulted in changes in Germany, resulted in changes in Germany, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and Hungary.Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and Hungary.

WAŁĘSA’S ACHIEVEMENTSWAŁĘSA’S ACHIEVEMENTS

Wałęsa was an informal leader of the "non-governmental" Wałęsa was an informal leader of the "non-governmental" side in the negotiations in Round Table Negotiations from side in the negotiations in Round Table Negotiations from February to April 1989. During the talks, he travelled all February to April 1989. During the talks, he travelled all over Poland, giving speeches in support of the over Poland, giving speeches in support of the negotiations. At the end of the talks, the government negotiations. At the end of the talks, the government signed an agreement to re-establish the Solidarity Trade signed an agreement to re-establish the Solidarity Trade Union and to organize "semi-free" elections to the Polish Union and to organize "semi-free" elections to the Polish parliament .parliament .

On 9 December 1990, Wałęsa won the presidential On 9 December 1990, Wałęsa won the presidential election, defeating Prime Minister Mazowiecki and other election, defeating Prime Minister Mazowiecki and other candidates to become the first democratically elected candidates to become the first democratically elected president of Poland. president of Poland.

WAŁĘSA’S ACHIEVEMENTSWAŁĘSA’S ACHIEVEMENTS

In 1993 he founded his political party BBWR the In 1993 he founded his political party BBWR the Nonpartisan Bloc for Support of Reforms Nonpartisan Bloc for Support of Reforms

Wałęsa saw Poland through privatization and Wałęsa saw Poland through privatization and transition to a free-market economy transition to a free-market economy (Balcerowicz Plan), Poland's 1991 first totally free (Balcerowicz Plan), Poland's 1991 first totally free parliamentary elections, and a period of parliamentary elections, and a period of redefinition of Poland's foreign relations.redefinition of Poland's foreign relations.

He successfully negotiated the withdrawal of He successfully negotiated the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Polish soil. Soviet troops from Polish soil.

He got a substantial reduction in Poland's foreign He got a substantial reduction in Poland's foreign debts.debts.

WAŁĘSA’S ACHIEVEMENTSWAŁĘSA’S ACHIEVEMENTS

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JÓZEF PIŁSUDSKI (1867 – 1935)JÓZEF PIŁSUDSKI (1867 – 1935)

JÓZEF PIŁSUDSKIJÓZEF PIŁSUDSKIA great soldier, strategist, focused on armyA great soldier, strategist, focused on armyThe head of Polish army since 1918The head of Polish army since 1918An independence activistAn independence activistThe first Marshal of Poland since 1920The first Marshal of Poland since 1920The creator of government after the revolt of The creator of government after the revolt of

May 1926May 1926Polish Prime Minister 1926–1928 and 1930Polish Prime Minister 1926–1928 and 1930A man of famous sayingsA man of famous sayings

JÓZEF PIŁSUDSKI’S ACHIEVEMENTSJÓZEF PIŁSUDSKI’S ACHIEVEMENTS To cut a long story short :To cut a long story short : He helped Poland gain independence after 123 years of He helped Poland gain independence after 123 years of

partitions, occupation and NON-EXISTENCE on European partitions, occupation and NON-EXISTENCE on European maps. maps.

11 November 1918 was a new start … again.11 November 1918 was a new start … again. The enemy armies staying for 123 years in our motherland The enemy armies staying for 123 years in our motherland

started to go back to Russia, Germany and Austria where they started to go back to Russia, Germany and Austria where they belonged.belonged.

Poland did not allow foreign invadors to change us into Poland did not allow foreign invadors to change us into Russians or Germans, we didn’t forget our native language, Russians or Germans, we didn’t forget our native language, culture and traditions. culture and traditions. But, if not for Piłsudski.. ?But, if not for Piłsudski.. ?

JÓZEF PIŁSUDSKI’S ACHIEVEMENTSJÓZEF PIŁSUDSKI’S ACHIEVEMENTSThe war against Russians in 1920 was very The war against Russians in 1920 was very

important for the world and Europe. Small important for the world and Europe. Small Polish army ‘demolished’ the enormous Polish army ‘demolished’ the enormous Bolshevic -Russian army . Bolshevic -Russian army .

He stopped the Soviet plans to change the He stopped the Soviet plans to change the Southern & Western Europe into Soviet Southern & Western Europe into Soviet republics. republics.

The famous battle of Warsaw is 18th on the list The famous battle of Warsaw is 18th on the list of the most important battles in the world of the most important battles in the world history.history.

JÓZEF PIŁSUDSKI’S ACHIEVEMENTSJÓZEF PIŁSUDSKI’S ACHIEVEMENTSPiłsudski was mostly concerned with the Piłsudski was mostly concerned with the

Polish army and foreign affairs. From among Polish army and foreign affairs. From among all European countries Poland had the most all European countries Poland had the most difficult situation being squeezed between 2 difficult situation being squeezed between 2 aggressive and expansive powers: Germany aggressive and expansive powers: Germany and Soviet Union (Russia). and Soviet Union (Russia).

His actions led to recognition of Poland on the His actions led to recognition of Poland on the world map and the map of Europe by them! world map and the map of Europe by them!

He reached agreements :„pacts about non-He reached agreements :„pacts about non-aggression” signed with USSR in 1932 and Nazi aggression” signed with USSR in 1932 and Nazi III Reich in 1934. III Reich in 1934.

POLAND IN PIŁSUDSKI’S TIMESPOLAND IN PIŁSUDSKI’S TIMES

THE TERRITORIAL CHANGES AFTER THE TERRITORIAL CHANGES AFTER THE 2nd WORLD WAR THE 2nd WORLD WAR

(FROM RED TO PINK!)(FROM RED TO PINK!)

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KING JAN III SOBIESKI (1629 – 1696)KING JAN III SOBIESKI (1629 – 1696)

KING SOBIESKIKING SOBIESKIA successful soldier and army leaderA successful soldier and army leaderTThe Lionhe Lion of of Lechistan Lechistan -Poland (called by -Poland (called by

the Turks)the Turks)Christians Defender of the Faith (the title Christians Defender of the Faith (the title

awarded awarded by Pope Innocent XI in 1684by Pope Innocent XI in 1684))An educated man who spoke several An educated man who spoke several

foreign languagesforeign languagesA king of Poland 1674 -1696A king of Poland 1674 -1696A loving husband famous for his love A loving husband famous for his love

letters to his wife Marysieńkaletters to his wife Marysieńka

SOBIESKI’S ACHIEVEMENTSSOBIESKI’S ACHIEVEMENTS Jan Sobieski got the throne thanks to successful Jan Sobieski got the throne thanks to successful

victorious wars with Turks and Tatarsvictorious wars with Turks and Tatars In 1683 he won the famous battle of Vienna In 1683 he won the famous battle of Vienna

stopping the Turkish invasion of Europe, stopping the Turkish invasion of Europe, protecting European Christian traditions from protecting European Christian traditions from domination of Islamdomination of Islam

During his reign final peace treaty with Russia During his reign final peace treaty with Russia was signed in 1686was signed in 1686

Sobieski’s reign was the best time of the Sobieski’s reign was the best time of the development of Sarmatian culture – which was development of Sarmatian culture – which was characterized by love of freedom and traditions.characterized by love of freedom and traditions.

SOBIESKI’S VICTORIESSOBIESKI’S VICTORIES• Battle of Podhajce (1667)• Battle of Bracław (1671)• Battle of Mohylów (1671)• Battle of Kalnik (1671)• Battle of Krasnobród (1672)• Battle of Niemirów (1672)• Battle of Komarno (1672)• Battle of Kałusz (1672)• Battle of Chocim (1673)• Battle of Bar (1674)• Battle of Lwów (1675)• Battle of Trembowla (1675)• Battle of Wojniłów (1675)• Battle of Żurawno (1676)• Battle of Vienna (1683)• Battle of Parkany (1683)• Battle of Jazłowiec (1684)• Battle of Żwaniec (1684)• Battle of Iaşi (1686)• Battle of Suceava (1691)

POLAND IN SOBIESKI’S TIMESPOLAND IN SOBIESKI’S TIMES

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KING BOLESŁAW I BRAVE (967 – 1025) KING BOLESŁAW I BRAVE (967 – 1025)

BOLESŁAW THE BRAVE’S ACHIEVEMENTSBOLESŁAW THE BRAVE’S ACHIEVEMENTSHe continued and strengthened the existence of the He continued and strengthened the existence of the

newly formed Poland.newly formed Poland.He met the Roman-German emperor in 1000 who He met the Roman-German emperor in 1000 who

recognised him as an independent king.recognised him as an independent king.He established the first archbishopric in GnieznoHe established the first archbishopric in Gniezno In 1003 he expanded his kingdom over Czech and In 1003 he expanded his kingdom over Czech and

Moravia .Moravia . In 1018 he conquered Kiev & In 1018 he conquered Kiev & Czerwieńskie Grody.Czerwieńskie Grody. In 1025 he became the first crowned Polish kingIn 1025 he became the first crowned Polish king

POLAND OF BOLESŁAW THE BRAVEPOLAND OF BOLESŁAW THE BRAVE

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MIESZKO I (935 – 992) MIESZKO I (935 – 992)

MIESZKO I ’ S ACHIEVEMENTSMIESZKO I ’ S ACHIEVEMENTSHe conquered many Slavic tribes and He conquered many Slavic tribes and

united them as one country. united them as one country. He was the first official ruler of newly He was the first official ruler of newly

formed Poland .formed Poland .He accepted christianity as Polish religion He accepted christianity as Polish religion

and joined western civilization cleverly and joined western civilization cleverly avoiding German christianization by force.avoiding German christianization by force.

He defeated German army at Cedynia in He defeated German army at Cedynia in 972 signalling the strength of Poland. 972 signalling the strength of Poland.

POLAND IN MIESZKO’S TIMESPOLAND IN MIESZKO’S TIMES

‘‘RESPECT’RESPECT’ TO ALL OF THEM TO ALL OF THEM