The German and Soviet Occupants' Policies Towards the Polish Gentry During the World War II

Abstract

The present article characterizes the German and Soviet policies towards the Polish gentry in the years 1939-1945. Analysis of the measures taken by the two totalitarian regimes towards this circle enjoying a high prestige in Poland in the period between the two World Wars gives precious information about the political aims concerning the social and material elite of the conquered country that they wanted to achieve. A comparison was made of measures taken by the two invaders that led: in the Soviet zone – to liquidation of the gentry as a social layer; and in the German one – to weakening their position and their isolation in the Polish society. The land property was used by the Nazis for exploiting farmers in the GG, whereas the Soviet authorities used it as a confirmation of the necessity “to overthrow the old order” on the occupied Polish territories. In practice this meant liquidation of the gentry's property by nationalizing and appropriating both movables and fixed property, which was often accompanied by illegal seizure and devastation.