Piast Concept
An irredentist poster expressing the Piast Concept. It was produced during the Second Polish Republic (c. 1918–1939) that staked claims to western territory as far west as Leipzig (Lipsk), based on the historical reach of Polish/Slavic lands under Bolesław I the Brave. Even cities such as Berlin and Lübeck (Lubeka) was noted as potential areas. Poland would eventually gain some of these territories up to the Oder–Neisse line after World War II, such as Wrocław. | |
| Years active | 1890s–present |
|---|---|
| Country | Poland |
| Major figures | Jan Ludwik Popławski |
| Influenced |
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The Piast Concept is a political and historical myth that emerged in the early 20th century, which framed the Polish state around its earliest territories under the Piast dynasty, emphasizing areas with a predominantly Polish population. It promoted the view that medieval Poland, centered largely on its western lands, was a coherent and Western-oriented polity that was "comparable" to other Western European states of the period, rather than being culturally or politically aligned with Eastern Europe.
For its supporters, the Piast Concept is closely associated with Westernization, a strong orientation towards Western Europe and its political and cultural traditions, and a pragmatic approach to international relations that emphasizes stable alliances and avoids expansionist ambitions further east. The concept has been criticized by some historians, who regard it as a retrospective construction or historical myth rather than an accurate reflection of medieval Poland.