Polish–Soviet War facts for kids

Quick facts for kids

Polish defenses at Miłosna, during the decisive battle of Warsaw, August 1920.

Date	1919–1921
Location	Central and Eastern Europe
Result	Polish victory Peace of Riga

Belligerents

Russian SFSR

Ukrainian SSR

Republic of Poland

Ukrainian People's Republic

Commanders and leaders

Leon Trotsky

Mikhail Tukhachevsky (Western Front)

Joseph Stalin (Lviv/Lwów front)

Alexander Ilyich Yegorov (Southwestern Front)

Semyon Budyonny (1st Cavalry Army)

Flag of Poland.svg

Strength

From ~50,000 in early 1919 to almost 800,000 in summer 1920

From ~50,000 in early 1919 to ~738,000 in August 1920

Casualties and losses

estimated 60,000 killed
80,000 – 157,000 taken prisoner

(including rear-area personnel)

About 48,000 killed
113,518 wounded
51,351 taken prisoner
------------------------
Names of Polish Armed Forces mortal casualties
in period 1918 – 1920 totaling 47,055

The Polish–Soviet War was a big fight between Soviet Russia and Soviet Ukraine on one side, and the newly independent Second Polish Republic and the Ukrainian People's Republic on the other. It lasted from February 1919 to March 1921. The main goal was to control land in what is now Ukraine and parts of Belarus.

After the war, a peace treaty called the Peace of Riga was signed on March 18, 1921. This treaty divided the disputed land between Poland and Soviet Russia. Interestingly, much of the land given to Poland later became part of the Soviet Union after World War II.

Why the War Started
- Poland's New Freedom
- Soviet Russia's Goals
Key Leaders and Early Fights
Major Events of the War
End of the War and Peace Treaty
- Peace Talks Begin
- The Peace of Riga
Aftermath and Impact
- Long-Term Effects
Images for kids
See also

Why the War Started

Poland's New Freedom

After World War I, Poland became an independent country again. For over 100 years, Poland had been divided up by other powerful countries. Now, leaders like Józef Piłsudski wanted to make Poland strong and secure. They hoped to create a large federation of countries in Eastern Europe. This would help protect Poland from both Germany and Russia.

Soviet Russia's Goals

At the same time, Russia was going through its own big changes. The Russian Revolution had happened, and the Bolsheviks (who were communists) had taken power. Their leader, Vladimir Lenin, wanted to spread communism across Europe. He saw Poland as a bridge to Germany and other Western European countries. If they could get through Poland, they believed they could help other communist revolutions.

Key Leaders and Early Fights

Polish Leaders

Józef Piłsudski was the main leader for Poland. He was a military hero and the head of the Polish state. He believed that Poland needed to be strong to survive. He led the Polish army in many important battles.

Soviet Leaders

On the Soviet side, key figures included Leon Trotsky, who was in charge of the Red Army. Generals like Mikhail Tukhachevsky and Alexander Ilyich Yegorov led the Soviet forces in different areas. Joseph Stalin also played a role in some parts of the war.

First Clashes

The first fights happened in early 1919. Polish forces moved east to secure their new borders. They clashed with the Red Army, which was also moving west. Both sides wanted control of the same territories, especially in Ukraine and Belarus.

Major Events of the War

Polish Advance into Ukraine

In April 1920, Poland launched a big attack called the Kiev Offensive. They teamed up with Symon Petlyura, a leader from the Ukrainian People's Republic. Their goal was to create an independent Ukraine that would be friendly to Poland. Polish forces captured the city of Kiev in May 1920.

Soviet Counterattack

The Soviet Red Army quickly fought back. They launched a huge counterattack in June 1920. General Tukhachevsky led the main Soviet push from the north. Another strong Soviet force, led by Semyon Budyonny (a famous cavalry commander), attacked from the south. The Polish forces were pushed back rapidly. It looked like the Soviets might win the war.

The Battle of Warsaw

The Soviet army advanced quickly towards Warsaw, the capital of Poland. This was a very dangerous time for Poland. Many people thought Warsaw would fall. However, the Polish army, led by Piłsudski and General Tadeusz Rozwadowski, planned a clever defense.

The battle took place in August 1920. It is often called the "Miracle on the Vistula" because Poland won against a much larger Soviet force. The Polish army launched a surprise attack from the side, hitting the Soviet forces when they least expected it. This caused the Soviet army to retreat in a hurry.

After Warsaw

After the Battle of Warsaw, the Polish army continued to push the Soviets back. Another important battle was the Battle of the Niemen River in September 1920. This battle further weakened the Red Army. Both sides were tired of fighting and ready for peace talks.

End of the War and Peace Treaty

Peace Talks Begin

Peace talks started in August 1920, even while fighting was still going on. The negotiations were difficult, but both sides wanted to end the conflict.

The Peace of Riga

The Peace of Riga treaty was signed on March 18, 1921. It officially ended the war. The treaty set the new border between Poland and Soviet Russia. Poland gained a large area of land to its east. However, it meant that the Ukrainian People's Republic, which had allied with Poland, was left out. This divided Ukraine between Poland and Soviet Russia.

Aftermath and Impact

Long-Term Effects

The Polish victory in the war stopped the spread of communism further into Europe. It also helped Poland secure its independence for the next two decades. The new border created by the Peace of Riga lasted until World War II. After World War II, the borders changed again, and much of the land Poland gained in 1921 became part of the Soviet Union.

The war was a very important event for both Poland and Russia. It shaped the future of Eastern Europe for many years.

Images for kids

Partitions of Poland–Lithuania in 1795: the coloured territories show the extent of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth just before the First Partition. The land absorbed by the Kingdom of Prussia is in blue (north-west), by the Austrian Habsburg monarchy in green (south) and by the Russian Empire in red (east).
Map of areas where Polish was used as a primary language in 1916
Vladimir Lenin in 1919
Józef Piłsudski in 1919
Activists of the Polish Military Organisation in 1917
General Józef Haller swearing for the Polish flag when he was nominated to command the Blue Army
Five stages in the Polish–Soviet War
Piłsudski in Vilnius
Piłsudski in Minsk
Polish-held territory in December 1919
Polish soldiers enter Daugavpils, January 1920
Georgy Chicherin (left) with Maxim Litvinov in 1920
Józef Piłsudski (right in the train) and Symon Petliura, 16 May 1920
Petliura (right) with Polish General Antoni Listowski
Polish officers on the southern front in 1920
Polish fighters of the Kościuszko Squadron
Mikhail Kalinin and Leon Trotsky greet the Red Army troops
Semyon Budyonny
Tadeusz Rozwadowski
Polish Kiev Offensive at its height, June 1920
Vladimir Lenin, Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars of Soviet Russia, delivers a speech to motivate troops to fight in the Polish–Soviet War on 5 May 1920
Polish troops in Kiev
Russian volunteers about to be sent to the Polish front
Soviet offensive successes, early August 1920
Hayk Bzhishkyan
Polish propaganda poster with the caption: "Beat the Bolshevik"
Bolshevik propaganda poster
The image of Leon Trotsky on Polish propaganda poster from July 1920. The large caption reads "Bolshevik freedom". The small caption on the right-hand side reads: "The Bolsheviks promised: We'll give you peace. We'll give you freedom. We'll give you land, work and bread. Despicably they cheated: They started a war with Poland. Instead of freedom, they brought the fist. Instead of land, confiscation. Instead of work, misery. Instead of bread, famine". (Issued by) "Ministry of Military Affairs, Propaganda Department".
Polrewkom
Polish propaganda poster. The text reads: "To arms! Save the fatherland! Remember well our future fate."
A propaganda image from the time.
The Interallied Mission to Poland
Maxime Weygand
Soviet delegates arrive for armistice negotiations before the Battle of Warsaw, August 1920
Mikhail Tukhachevsky
Władysław Sikorski and the 5th Army Staff in August 1920
Polish infantry at the Battle of Warsaw
Polish soldiers display captured Soviet standards after the Battle of Warsaw
Polish cavalry at the Battle of the Niemen River
Austin-Putilov armored car, captured from the Russians and renamed as Poznańczyk
Signing of the Peace of Riga
Adolph Joffe
Stanisław Grabski
Poland after the Peace of Riga with the pre-partition borders of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth also indicated