The Struggles For Poland

Documents through archival films, interviews and stills, how the vision of two Polish leaders, Josef Pilsudski and Roman Dmowski, along with a series of major events, provided the necessary catalysts for Poland to regain its sovereign status after years of domination by foreign powers.

Documents through archival films, stills, interviews and readings, Poland's struggles to establish a government following the ratification of the new Polish constitution in 1921, and shows how political infighting led to the establishment of a military regime based on right-wing totalitarianism and officially sanctioned anti-Semitism. While workers and peasants struggled against this regime from within, Poland faced even greater threats from its aggressive neighbors, Stalin's Soviet Russia and Hitler's Nazi Germany.

Documents through archival films, stills, interviews and readings the once flourishing and dynamic community of Polish Jews, and the events leading up to the Holocaust. Focuses on ghetto leaders, the Treaty for Protection of Minority Rights and the rise of European facism.

Documents through archival films, stills, interviews and readings the atrocities perpetrated against the Polish people during WWII. Special segments of this episode also set in relief the role and activities of the Polish Underground; the creation of the Soviet-inspired Communist resistance; and the 280,000 members of the Home Army in Warsaw, which led to an ill-fated uprising against the Germans in 1944.

Documents through archival films, stills, interviews and readingshow the Polish Home Army's valiant struggle during World War II. Shows how despite this courageous contribution to the war effort, Poland was betrayed by her supposed allies and neighbors.

Bright Days of Tomorrow [Jasne dni jutra, 1945–1956]

The Sweepers of Squares [Zamiatacze placów, 1956–1970]

In This Life [W tym życiu, 1900–1970, on the church]

Workers’ State [Państwo robotników, 1970–1980]