Landverteilung und lokale Volksherrschaft als Staatsräson. Die Republika Tarnobrzeska 1918–1919

Abstract

When the Habsburg monarchy lost its grip over the former Crownland of Galicia, sponta-
neously organised committees moderated the shift of power from Austria-Hungary to the
future Polish state. In four districts in central Galicia however, Polish peasants sought to
establish a new order that would primarily serve their economic and political interests. For
a couple of months, the idea of a peasant republic challenged the central state. This republic
was named after the town Tarnobrzeg, where every Wednesday thousands of peasants as-
sembled to articulate their vision of a post-war order. This article explains the context of
violence and social unrest in which the Republika Tarnobrzeska emerged, analysises how a
priest and a former Habsburg officer became leaders of this peasant vision of democracy
and self-determination. It also sheds light on the economic conflicts, societal ruptures and
cultural clashes that the revolution of 1918 brought to the fore.