User:Szopen/NamingWar

The proposition:

The msg

In every article with controversial name the following sentences such be put:

"The question of _proper_ naming of the cities in area called Western Prussia or Pomerania is very sensitive and controversial issue for many Poles and Germans. That's why the compromise about naming had been made, which can be find _here_."

The sentence could be put 1) as the msg in the beginning

2) as the comment AND in the see also link

In addition, in see also there should be link to the article explaining the status of Royal Prussia (including Gdansk/Danzig).

The compromise should explain why the case is sensitive, what arguments had both sides. E.g it could write that in the past using of certain names implied the stressing Polish or German rights to the city; it could show that in the past (up to 1980s) both Polish and German historian were presenting only their sides of the history and were using the history to present the Polish or German historical rights to the city;

Later it should clearly state that both German and Polish names were used for times immemorial, but however in modern period before XIX mostly German names were used in English word; it should explain that it's sensitive to Poles because they believe that it was because of partitions and because English wordl was seeing the region through German eyes. Later it should explain that after 1945 the official names were not invented, but simply Polish names started to be used.

It should also stress the German presence in the area and pre-1989 effort of communists of erasing the traces of Germanness (as well as pre-1945 efforts of Nazis, and earlier the German XIX century historians, to erase traces of ties with Poland).

The status article

I would prefer NOT TO incorporate it into another articles, but rather use it as a way to educate newcomers with fast fingers who are so eager to scream "Gdansk Gdansk uber alles" or "Danzig zawsze Niemiecki!"

Legal status of Pomerania under Teutonic Knights

Explain issues with the _buying_ of the Pomerania and keeping it as "Polish alm".

After 1308 Teutonic knights have occupied Pomerania (territories, which later were known as Western Prussia). They justified their action on two basis

1. First, they bought the claim to Pomerania from Brandenburg. Brandenburg had a claim on Pomerania based on contract with Wenceslaus III, at the time king of Poland and sovereing of Pomerania. He promised Brandenburg Pomerania in return for Meissen territory. However, since Wenceslaus had not acquired Meissen, then in fact contract was NOT made and Brandenburg claim had very weak basis.

1. Second, they claimed that they were promised a payment from Ladislaus the Elbow for helping him with pushing the Brandenburg from Pomerania. It's true that Ladislaus promised a payment, it's not clear however what was the payment and what were other conditions. Teutonic Knights demanded enormous sum in gold, and said that they will keep the whole area when the sum was not paid.

Nevertheless the knights offered the Polish king to buy his claims (the offer he refused). The Polish claims were further backed during papal trials, which ordered Pomerania to be returned to Poland. However, finally in 1343 Casimir the Great signed a treaty which recognised that Teutonic Knights are keeping Pomerania legally. The wording of the treay was tricky: the clause was that the Knights are keeping Pomerania as "an alm from Polish king" which could be interpreted such as Polish king still had rights to Pomerania.

Legal status of Royal Prussia before 1569

explaining the basis of authonomy or Royal Prussia

After the series of wars between Poland and Teutonic Order the Prussian estates (the nobles and cities) received right of armed resistance against Teutons if they would ever start the war against the Poland.

In 1450's the conflict between the Knights and their Prussian subjects have been arising. When Prussians envoys taking their complains to the Holy Roman Emperor were told that they should immedietely dissolve their confederation and be loyal subjects of Teutonic Order, they seek a protection with Polish king Casimir, asking him for incorporation of Prussia into Poland. This was accomplished after 13 years war, when after second treaty of Thorn in 1466 Royal Prussia was incorporated into Poland.

However, the Royal Prussia received wide authonomy: it's own treasure, separate from the treasure in Poland proper (the treasure was managed by the king, but out of any control of Polish Sejm) and it's own parliament. In addition only the Prussians could hold the offices in Prussia. There were two clauses from 1454 privilege used as basis of authonomy:

article VI "..inhabitants of the mentioned ours Prussian lands in laws, freedoms, letters ... which they got from princes, kings and masters of mentioned lands we will protect and keep..."

article XI "..every important case (omnes causas notabilas) which is of interest to mentioned lands, we will with advise of comon Council of mentioned lands end, consider and decide..."

It have to be noted that since XVIII century (starting with Danzig historian Lengnich) German historian were forcing theory that Royal Prussia was not part of Polish crown, but only tied with Poland with personal union. However the treaties and privileges state clearly that Prussia is incorporated into Poland; the king, though was using the title of duke of Prussia, ruled Prussia as Polish king, and there was no separate for becoming duke of Prussia. Prussians had it's places in Polish parliament, but they rarely were using that privilege, usually ignoring king's calls for sending the deputees to Polish parliament.

Therefore before 1569 Royal Prussia was part of Polish kingdom, though with very large authonomy.

Legal status of Royal Prussia after 1569

Explaining changes in the status of Royal Prussia after the union of Lublin

Since the 1550s the Polish executionist's movement was forcing the unification of different part of the kingdom and the union with the Lithuania. Therefore the conflict with Prussian elites was inevitable.

It have to be noted here, that Prussian elites were both Polish and German; There was sense of separate identity, and it could be argued that with good conditions Prussians woudl develop a nation on its own. It was only in XIX century when former Prussians became Poles or Germans.

In the conflict Polish parliament was backed by lower nobility and smaller cities, while Prussian elite and larger cities were backed by Polish senate. In the end however Royal Prussia status was unified with the rest of the country, with the exception of "indigenat", that is privilege that only Prussian may hold offices in Prussia. Despite many protests from nobility from other provinces, the privilege survived (At least to 1630)?

It should be noted here, that some German historians are doubting the legal basis for the unification; however from the point of view of Polish parliament they were just executing rights of the Polish crown from the earlier treaties, which were talking about "incorporation" and were taking this word very seriously. When Prussian elites were saying that they are not bound by acts passed by earlier Sejms, because they were not participating in them, Polish leader of executionist movement answered, that since they had the right to participate, it was only their fault.

Status of Gdansk/Danzig after 1569

The Gdansk/Danzig was the largest city in Royal Prussia and therefore it managed to achieve very special status. While being part of Royal Prussia and therefore - in theory - the Union of Lublin applied also to it, in reality Gdansk/Danzig was self-governing for quite a large time.

There are historians who argue that Gdansk/Danzig was independent: it had it's own army, it send their own envoys etc.

However, it should be stressed that Danzig status was regulated by laws passed by Polish parliament. When on one occassion Danzig refused to enter gates to comission sent by Polish parliament, it's burgmeister was imprisoned and put in trial. Before Union of Lublin and Confederation of Warsaw it needed separate privileges from Polish king for freedom of religion in city; on occasions there were interventions on Polish army inside of Danzig.

Except of one war with stephen Bathory (when Gdansk/Danzig recognised emperor Maximilian as king of Poland and refused to recognise Bathory as king of Poland), Gdansk/Danzig was loyal subject to Polish crown. On many occasion Polish military fleet was stationing in Danzig; during partitions Danzigers were fighting for keeping their status as Polish subjects (there were POLISH deputes who were voting for giving back Gdansk/Danzig, while Danzigers themselves were agaisnt it!!)

It should be noted here that despite being part of Polish kingdom, Danzig/Gdansk was very authonomous and largely self-governing, with majority of population German.

Status of Ducal Prussia after 1525 and before 1650

Before 1525 the Teutonic Order in Eastern Prussia was considered vassal of Poland. However, the grand masters of Order often refused to giving a vow to Polish kings and the status of Eastern Prussia was on occasions a formality.

The situation changed radically in 1525. Ducal Prussia became first protestant country in Europe and it needed desperately protector. Poland became such protector and Eastern Prussia became very loyal subject of Polish crown. The Prussia was to be duchy inherited by Ansbach line of Hohenzollerns. After they would died out, the Duchy should be incorporated into Poland.

However, despite the efforrs of so called "querulants", or pro-Polish party inside of Ducal Prussia (which were planning the incorporation of Prussia into Poland and dividing it into three Polish voivodships), the brandenburg branch of Hohenzollerns were able to convince Polish king first about giving them regentship and protection over mentally ill last duke from Ansbach line, and then finally for letting them inheriting Prussia - on condition, that after Hohenzollerns will died out the province will be incorporated into Poland. The pro-Polish opposition (composed from Polish catholic gentry settled in ducal Prussia and lutheran, German gentry), was eliminated from public life in 1630s.

It should be stressed here that internal oposition in Ducal Prussia was not based on ethnic divisions. It united both catholic Poles and lutheran Germans, who were enraged by the fact, that new duke was violating indigenat cause, was calvin (the only religions allowed in Ducal Prussia were lutheran and catholic) and was confiscating catholic churches. It had few successes, mostly relating to clauses of right of apelation to Polish king (which was never exercised with success) and return of catholic priests to catholic churches.