Obóz Zjednoczenia Narodowego
Encyclopedia
Obóz Zjednoczenia Narodowego (ˈɔbuz zjɛdnɔˈtʂɛɲa narɔdɔˈvɛɡɔ, "Camp of National Unity"; abbreviated "OZN"; and often called "Ozon," Polish for "ozone
") was a Polish
political party
founded in 1937 by leaders in the Sanation
movement.
A year after the 1935 death of Poland's Chief of State Marshal
Józef Piłsudski, in mid-1936, one of his followers, Marshal
Edward Rydz-Śmigły, attempted to unite the various Sanation
factions under his leadership. He failed in this, since another Sanation politician, President Ignacy Mościcki
, likewise had a large following; nevertheless, substantial numbers did throw their lot in with Rydz-Śmigły.
On February 21, 1937, diplomat and Colonel Adam Koc
formally announced the formation of OZN. Its stated aims were to improve Poland's national defense
and to safeguard the April 1935 Constitution. OZN was strongly pro-military
, and its politicians sought to portray Marshal Rydz-Śmigły as Marshal Józef Piłsudski's heir, describing Rydz-Śmigły as the "second person in the country" after President Mościcki—a claim that had no foundation in the Polish Constitution.
OZNs first official leader was Adam Koc, and its second was General Stanisław Skwarczyński. After the 1939 German invasion of Poland
and the start of World War II
, OZN leadership passed to Colonel Zygmunt Wenda.
In 1937, OZN had some 40,000–50,000 members; in 1938, some 100,000.
During World War II, OZNs military arm, created in 1942, was known as Obóz Polski Walczącej
(the Camp of Fighting Poland).
Ozone
Ozone , or trioxygen, is a triatomic molecule, consisting of three oxygen atoms. It is an allotrope of oxygen that is much less stable than the diatomic allotrope...
") was a Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
founded in 1937 by leaders in the Sanation
Sanacja
Sanation was a Polish political movement that came to power after Józef Piłsudski's May 1926 Coup d'État. Sanation took its name from his watchword—the moral "sanation" of the Polish body politic...
movement.
A year after the 1935 death of Poland's Chief of State Marshal
Marshal of Poland
Marshal of Poland is the highest rank in the Polish Army. It has been granted to only six officers. At present, this rank is equivalent to a Field Marshal or General of the Army in other NATO armies.-History:...
Józef Piłsudski, in mid-1936, one of his followers, Marshal
Marshal of Poland
Marshal of Poland is the highest rank in the Polish Army. It has been granted to only six officers. At present, this rank is equivalent to a Field Marshal or General of the Army in other NATO armies.-History:...
Edward Rydz-Śmigły, attempted to unite the various Sanation
Sanacja
Sanation was a Polish political movement that came to power after Józef Piłsudski's May 1926 Coup d'État. Sanation took its name from his watchword—the moral "sanation" of the Polish body politic...
factions under his leadership. He failed in this, since another Sanation politician, President Ignacy Mościcki
Ignacy Moscicki
Ignacy Mościcki was a Polish chemist, politician, and President of Poland . He was the longest-serving President of Poland .-Life:...
, likewise had a large following; nevertheless, substantial numbers did throw their lot in with Rydz-Śmigły.
On February 21, 1937, diplomat and Colonel Adam Koc
Adam Koc
Adam Ignacy Koc was a Polish politician, soldier and journalist.-Honours and awards:...
formally announced the formation of OZN. Its stated aims were to improve Poland's national defense
Defense (military)
Defense has several uses in the sphere of military application.Personal defense implies measures taken by individual soldiers in protecting themselves whether by use of protective materials such as armor, or field construction of trenches or a bunker, or by using weapons that prevent the enemy...
and to safeguard the April 1935 Constitution. OZN was strongly pro-military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
, and its politicians sought to portray Marshal Rydz-Śmigły as Marshal Józef Piłsudski's heir, describing Rydz-Śmigły as the "second person in the country" after President Mościcki—a claim that had no foundation in the Polish Constitution.
OZNs first official leader was Adam Koc, and its second was General Stanisław Skwarczyński. After the 1939 German invasion of Poland
Invasion of Poland (1939)
The Invasion of Poland, also known as the September Campaign or 1939 Defensive War in Poland and the Poland Campaign in Germany, was an invasion of Poland by Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small Slovak contingent that marked the start of World War II in Europe...
and the start of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, OZN leadership passed to Colonel Zygmunt Wenda.
In 1937, OZN had some 40,000–50,000 members; in 1938, some 100,000.
During World War II, OZNs military arm, created in 1942, was known as Obóz Polski Walczącej
Obóz Polski Walczacej
Obóz Polski Walczącej was a minor part of the Polish resistance movement in World War II. Created in 1942-44 and centered in Warsaw, its members were mostly composed of the former political party, Obóz Zjednoczenia Narodowego , part of the Sanacja movement...
(the Camp of Fighting Poland).
See also
- Nonpartisan Bloc for Cooperation with the Government (Bezpartyjny Blok Współpracy z Rządem, BBWR)
- National Radical Camp (Obóz Narodowo-Radykalny, ONR)