Europa Walcząca 1939-1945 : kilka uwag o europejskim ruchu oporu

Abstract

The present essay is only a proposal for further inquiry, not an attempt of a synthesis of such a complicated problem. A special attention has been paid to problems of methodology. On the base of the present state of investigation the author proposed a hypothesis according to which the resistance movement consisted principally in armed fight while other forms of anti-invasion activity- may be to a great extent defined as the attitudes towards the invaders. The essence of thus defined resistance movement was an effect of the relations between the invaders and their victims. These relations determined the genesis, necessity, sources and reasons of the fight. So the invaded ones together with the Allies created the resistance movement as a form of armed fight for their independence and sovereignty. They also, thanks to their attitudes and behaviour, supported the fight in question though to a different degree in inspective European countries. These two theses form the main part of present reflexions. In the conclusion some postulates were formulated. Those should lead to the preparation and edition in Polish historiography of a comprehensive synthesis connected with the fighting Europe and the attitudes and behaviour of European ocieties (as well as their everyday life under the invasion) during the World War II.