Organizational Structure of the Polish Cooperative Movement in the Years 1918–1939

Abstract

In the second half of the 19th century, social and economic antagonisms in the Polish territories under Prussian rule intensified due to rapid industrialization and increasing class divisions. The growing influence of capitalism led to the displacement of small-scale producers, forcing many into wage labor. At the same time, Prussian authorities implemented policies aimed at Germanizing the region, limiting Polish access to economic resources and political representation. These factors contributed to rising tensions between Polish and German workers, as well as between Polish laborers and the landowning and industrial elite. With the transition to industrial capitalism, the number of wage laborers increased significantly, reinforcing the need for an organized trade union movement.
The primary aim of this study is to analyze the development and key issues of the trade union movement in the Prussian-occupied Polish regions, particularly in Greater Poland, Silesia, and West Prussia. The research is based on a critical analysis of historical sources, including archival documents, contemporary press reports, and previous scholarly studies.
The study reveals that trade union activities in these regions were severely hindered by legal restrictions and repressive measures imposed by the Prussian authorities. The unions faced numerous challenges, including a lack of legal recognition, limited financial resources, and internal ideological divisions. Notably, there was significant rivalry between socialist and conservative trade union factions, which pursued different strategies to improve working conditions.
Despite these obstacles, the Polish labor movement made significant progress toward the end of the 19th century. Strikes and collective bargaining increasingly became essential tools in the struggle for better working conditions. However, the outbreak of World War I marked a turning point for the trade union movement, as many organizations were forced to cease their activities due to war regulations and political pressure.
The study concludes that although the trade union movement in the Prussian partition of Poland faced considerable structural and political constraints, it nevertheless contributed to the strengthening of workers' consciousness and the formation of a Polish labor identity.