Search results - CEJSH

1

Josef Korbel a jeho velvyslanecká mise v komunistické Jugoslávii (Příspěvek k československo-jugoslávským vztahům 1945−1948)

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Dejmek J.

Slovanské historické studie (Slavonic Historical Studies)

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2007

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vol. 32

113-129

EN

Josef Korbel (1909-1977), a Czechoslovak lawyer and diplomat, became publicly known both due to his historical and political works and as the father of the US Secretary of Foreign Affairs Madeleine Albright; the presented contribution introduces Korbel as a Czechoslovak ambassador in Yugoslavia, where he worked in 1945-1948. Yugoslavia was one of the traditional partners of Czechoslovakia and was to play an important role in the 'Neo-Slavonic Concept' by Edvard Benes. However, the state of Yugoslavia, restored after the Second World War, entrenched itself as a real communist dictatorship led by Josip Broz Tito; its policy in Central and South-eastern Europe soon rather complicated the position of Czechoslovakia. Korbel, who became familiar with the Yugoslav environment in the 1930s (he was a Press Executive at the Czechoslovak Embassy in Belgrade at that time), witnessed how the new regime strengthened its power; the initial most visible manifestations of this trend were elections (the only candidate was the National Front) and the subsequent deposing of the dynasty of Karadjordjevićs and the declaring of a federative people's republic. As a result of the initiative of Josip Broz Tito, the restored Yugoslavia became a formal ally of Czechoslovakia in May 1946; however, its aims differed a lot from the concept of foreign policy of the democratic government in Prague.

2

Metoposkopické aforismy Tadeáše Hájka

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Smolka J., Solc M.

DVT - Dějiny věd a techniky (History of Sciences and Technology)

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2008

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vol. 41

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issue 2

85-102

EN

The authors try to review, critically summarize and enlarge the knowledge about different editions of Hagecius' metoposcopical writing. In the first part of the paper, the date of Hagecius' doctorhood in Bologna, the date of his journey to H. Cardano and relationship of the famous scholar to young Thaddaeus are newly clarified. The next part enriches our knowledge about the role of an unknown personality of Proxenus in the French translation of the book. The third part brings a detailed comparison of the first and second Latin edition. A brief description and evaluation of a newly discovered German translation forms the content of the last part.

3

Zázračná mše sv. Martina z kostela sv. Anny v Přibyslavicích u Třebíče

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Knoflicek T.

Historica: revue pro historii a příbuzné vědy (Historica: Review in history and related sciences)

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2011

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vol. 2

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issue 1

11-22

EN

The pioneering study specifically analyzes the fragments of the medieval omural paintings of the church of St Anna in Pribyslavice discovered at the early 70s of the 20th century. In particular, it focuses on the scene situated above the sanctuary and construes it as the depiction of the miraculous mass of St Martin which is quite rare in the context of Czech and European production respectively. Its attractivity is advanced by the eucharist tone of the scene given by the setting as well as the presence of the subtle figure of the crucified Christ. In the connection with the Legend of St Martin it represents an entirely unique motive, however, it may be considered that in this context it represents a substitution of the absent motive of the revelation of the golden sphere which is mentioned by Sulpicius Severus, the first biographer of St Martin.

4

V zajetí temných sil. Nikolaj Markov, antisemitismus a ruská radikální pravice

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Vydra Z.

Slovanský přehled: historická revue pro dějiny střední, východní a jihovýchodní Evropy (Slavonic Review: Review for Central, Eastern and Southeastern European history)

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2010

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vol. 96

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issue 3-4

457-472

EN

The essay comments on anti-Semitism as a significant ideology of radical rightists in Russia between 1905 and 1917 and radical rightist emigration in 1918-1939. The role and significance of anti-Semitism are depicted through a biographical portrait of Nikolaj Markov (1866-1945). He was one of the leading figures of the ultra-rightists in Russia and a member of the State Duma. He systematically stood against the Jews, demanded restriction of their civil rights and freedoms and blamed them for most of the problems in Russia. His anti-Semitism was not isolated among the ultra-rightists, but corresponded with a general attitude. Anti-Semitism of the radical rightists became even more vigorous after the fall of the monarchy. The February coup d'etat and the Bolshevik revolution in October 1917 were interpreted as an 'international Jew-Masonic conspiracy'. Markov left for Germany during the civil war where he organised a Russian monarchist movement. He was particularly active in the 20s and the second half of the 30s when he published Vojny temnych sil, an anti-liberal and anti-Semitist interpretation of the Russian revolution. In emigration he collaborated with the Nazis.

5

THE SLAVONIC LITURGY - LITURGICAL HERITAGE OF BYZANTINE MISSION OF 9th CENTURY

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Marincak S.

Slavica Slovaca

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2005

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vol. 40

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issue 1

34-62

EN

The Great Moravian princes always fought for the independence from the Frankish Empire. One of the ways to reach it was the achievement of own Slavic independent hierarchy. The mission from Byzantine Empire led by brothers Constantine and Methodius came to fulfill this task. It brought the Slavonic liturgical books and basic law to the Great Moravia. However, the sources do not specify concrete liturgical tradition that had been translated into Slavonic. Common hypothesis says that it was the liturgy of Constantinopolitan tradition that had been translated by brothers Constantine and Methodius in 9th century. If this was true, how did this liturgy look like? Another hypothesis says that the liturgy of St. Peter was translated, or even the Roman liturgy might by the one. The present paper examines all these possibilities and searches for the most probable answers to those questions.

6

History of Confiscated Property of the České učení technické (Czech Technical University) in the years 1939–1945

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Josefovicova M.

DVT - Dějiny věd a techniky (History of Sciences and Technology)

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2007

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vol. 40

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issue 4

209-227

EN

The history of the immovable and movable property of the Czech Technical University after closing of all Czech universities in November 1939 has been studied primarily from the preserved testimonies of Czech witnesses about its state in May 1945. In the article, the history has been reconstructed on basis of official German documents. The initial assumption that the 'Deutsche Technische Hochschule in Prag' (German Technical University in Prague) acquired the main parts of the property for its own use turned out to be incorrect. Most of the movable property not destroyed by army forces during the first week of occupation decayed unused in unsuitable storehouses. Buildings were used by other institutions of the occupation forces and the Protectorate. In 1942, when the original three-year deadline after which the Czech universities were to be reopened expired, K. H. Frank decided on a thorough stocktaking of the property. It was to serve as the basis for the property to be taken over for use by the German Technical University. Nevertheless, the catastrophic condition of the stored instruments, devices, books, and so on showed up during the inventory. Academic buildings and premises used for various other purposes were also in poor condition (see the attached document). As a result, the situation differed significantly from the fate of the property of the Czech University in Prague, which the 'Deutsche Universitaet in Prag' (German University in Prague) acquired.

7

DARWIN'S IDEA OF THE PURPOSEFULNESS IN NATURE.

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Bylica P.

Kwartalnik Historii Nauki i Techniki

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2008

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vol. 53

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issue 3-4

259-273

EN

A role of naturalism in the contemporary science is still an important issue, which is commonly discussed in the field of philosophy of science. The author is presenting the factors that are related to the origin of Darwinian theory of evolution, and are crucial for appropriate understanding the matter. Darwin used to be an advocate of William Paley's version concerning the purposefulness. At last, however, the essential part of Darwin's evolutionary concept turned out to be a negation of all previous explanations referring to God's special intervention, or guidance in the process of evolution. Elimination of such explanations is fundamental and much distinctive for modern science as methodological naturalism. A common acceptance of the discussed methodological postulate is firmly connected with the achievements of Darwin's theory. In the present paper the author is willing to show that both scientific and problematic factors were crucial for the fundamental scientific assumption.

8

Konstanty Tyzenhauz (1786-1853): the originator and sponsor of Polish ornithology

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Ziemczonok J.

Kwartalnik Historii Nauki i Techniki

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2006

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vol. 51

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issue 3-4

151-168

EN

As a naturalist active in the Wilno (now Vilnius) scholarly community, Konstanty Tyzenhauz began his field research in 1814 in a region stretching from the the Narocz lakes in the South to the Braclaw Lakes in the North (now within the boundaries of Belarus). He later extended his fieldwork to the whole of the Wilno region; he also conducted studies of the surroundings of Grodno and Pinsk, as well as of the Podole region, the Carpathian Mountains and other regions. The first written work by Tyzenhauz was entitled 'Rozprawa o Sowie laponskiej (mszarnej) znalezionej w Litwie' (A dissertation on the Lapland (Morass) Owl found in Lithuania), the Polish manuscript of which appeared in 1830 (there was also a German version of the study: C. von Tyzenhaus 'Archive fur Naturgeschichte' v. Troschel, Berlin). Tyzenhauz used the name morass owl (strix microphtalmos) for what is known in English as the Lapland owl or great grey owl (strix nebulosa). As time went by, Tyzenhauz gained a reputation as one of Europe's most eminent ornithologists. He was a member of many different Polish and foreign learned societies. During his lifetime, Tyzenhauz published over fifty faunistic, mainly ornithological, studies in Poland and abroad, in which he described a total of three thousand birds (see J. Ziemczonok: Muzeum zoologiczne Konstatntego Tyzenhauza w Postawach (1814-1856) in 'Kwartalnik Historii i Nauki' 2001, 2, pp 121-140). Tyzenhauz's major work 'Zasady ornitologii albo nauki o ptakach. Obejmujace rys postepu jej literatury, taxonomia, glosologia i terminologia, z przydaniem 5 tablic litografowanych czesci ptaków objasniajacych i jednej tablicy kolorów' (The principles of ornithology or the science of birds....) (Wilno 1841, pp. 165) was the first book of this kind to be published in Poland. Tyzenhauz was also a co-founder of the Wilno Typographical Society in 1819. Among other noteworthy aspects of Tyzenhauz's activities is his sponsorship of several scholars, in their number Stanislaw Batys Górski.

9

Reflections over the issues of 'Kwartalnik Historii Nauki i Techniki'

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Bienkowski T.

Kwartalnik Historii Nauki i Techniki

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2006

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vol. 51

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issue 1

37-44

EN

The author has been a regular reader of 'Kwartalnik Historii Nauki i Techniki' ever since its establishment, and presents a number of reflections connected with the Quarterly's anniversary. Above all, he concludes that the Quarterly has always been of much assistance to young people interested in the history of science, in that it has helped them gain valuable knowledge in the field. and has taught them methods of research and interpretation, by providing very good examples of studies by eminent historians of science. It has also always played an important role in integrating the milieu of historians of science and technology in Poland. The author mentions a dozen or so articles published in the Quarterly that have made a lasting impression on him as a reader.

10

IBN TAWQ'S 'TA'LIQ'. A JOURNAL OF A DAMASCENE FROM THE TURN OF THE 16TH CENTURY ('Talik' Ibn Tauka. Dziennik damascenczyka z przelomu XV i XVI w.)

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Musiatewicz J.

Przegląd Orientalistyczny

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2009

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issue 3-4 (230-231)

161-170

EN

Ta'liq is a journal of Ibn Tawq, a notary and court witness, who lived in Damascus in the second half of the 15th and the first decade of the 16th centuries. The manuscript of the journal was found in the Damascene Madrasat Adh-Dhahiriyya, a former seat of the Syrian National Library, some 40 years ago, but is still almost unknown among scholars. The journal contains an interesting material on everyday life of all strata of society living in Damascus at the turn of the 16th century, especially those who are rarely mentioned in other examples of Arabic historical literature. The aim of the article is to make an analysis of Ta'liq and assess its value as a source in ethnohistorical studies on the Middle East during the Mamluk rule.

11

Český ateismus ve dvacátém století. K vývoji a institucionalizaci v letech 1948-1989

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Vaclavik D.

Soudobé dějiny (Contemporary History)

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2007

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vol. 14

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issue 2-3

471-487

EN

This article considers the effects of atheism, an intellectual and political movement denying the existence of God (the Supernatural) and casting doubt on the point of institutions connected with God in twentieth-century Bohemia and Moravia. The author distinguishes between atheist, agnostic, and 'non-believer,' and, referring to contemporary sociological research into religiousness in Czech society, argues that it would be wrong to consider the mass turning away from traditional confessions to be evidence of its prevailing atheism or a consequence of forty years of Communist dictatorship. The article considers the topic in the broader historical context, and points to the anticlerical (essentially anti-Roman Catholic) tradition in modern Czech history, which is rooted in the National Revival and was intensified in connection with the anti-Habsburg struggle leading to the creation of the Czechoslovak Republic. The Communist regime, seeking, after it took power in February 1948, to suppress the Church and religion, thus found fertile ground. The beginning of atheism in the Czech milieu, as elsewhere in Europe, is linked to the development of the Freethinkers movement. Within this movement (the Czech section, 'Volna myslenka', was founded in 1904), a positivist current predominated at first. From the early 1920s, however, its views increasingly clashed with the Marxist-influenced stream. That stream originated in Marx's interpretation of religion as a false, alienated consciousness, serving the interests of reactionary social forces and an outdated 'scientific view of the world.' Atheism in the Marxist conception was thus understood not only as a noetic perspective, but also as a set of principles forming part of Communist, or Socialist, ethics. The author argues that, after taking power, the Communist regime commenced its struggle against the Churches (particularly the Roman Catholic) with the help of propaganda that was political rather than atheist, owing both to tactical considerations (the considerable religiousness of the rural population) and to the implicit conviction of Communist functionaries that religion would die out together with the people and institutions that represented it. In the 1950s, 'scientific atheism' had not yet emerged from Marxist-Leninist doctrine as an independent discipline, and was therefore not a special subject of the school curriculum or scholarly debate. It emerged slowly, in about the 1960s, but by then, with the overall liberalization of society, relations between the Churches and State had improved, and space for religious ideas had begun to appear. In the last part of the article, the author describes the institutionalization of 'scientific atheism' as part of the strategy of 'Normalization,' reflected for example in the founding the Institute of Scientific Atheism at the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Brno, 1972. The mission of this institute was not merely the theoretical refutation of religion and the promotion of a 'scientific view of the world' in research into the orientation of the population in this respect, but also the elaboration of assessments for publications with regard to their 'ideological incorruptibility' and assessments of the activity of the clergy in deciding to revoke the requirement of State consent for those who wished to work as members of the clergy.

12

Vývoj průmyslu v Rusku let 1900–1913

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Svoboda K.

Slovanské historické studie (Slavonic Historical Studies)

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2006

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issue Sp. Ed.

173-187

EN

The following paper deals with economic and social developments in Russia in 1900-1913. During this period, Russia experienced massive growth of economy, which was however impeded by the existing local conditions. With the economic growth of the country, Russia also suffered from increase of social tensions, which the Russian government as well as the entrepreneurs found difficult to manage. All these problems fully unfolded during the First World War and thus contributed to the collapse of Russia's war effort.

13

CHRISTENINGS AMONG THE NOBILITY IN THE CZECH LANDS IN THE EARLY MODERN AGE

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Holy M.

Historická demografie (Historical Demography)

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2004

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vol. 28

15-33

EN

The christening of a newborn child, was one of the most important rituals in the lives of members of the nobility. Its significance can be observed at three levels: the spiritual level, the social level, and the representative level. An important part of any christening was the selection of a name, the choice of which could be influenced by family tradition, symbolism, confession, or a desire to establish closer ties with an influential godparent or other important person. From the second half of the 16th century it is possible to note a more frequent choice of foreign names, and over the course of that century it became popular to choose two (and even three) names. The christening itself took place in the palace chapel or in the local parish church. Furthermore, the puerperium was perceived by society as an impure period, up until the ceremony of introduction to the church, which officially concluded the puerperium of the mother and returned her to the regular operations of the household.

14

Mezi národem a demokracií - Polští socialisté na československém Těšínsku v letech 1934 a 1935

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Baran I.

Slovanské historické studie (Slavonic Historical Studies)

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2009

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vol. 34

47-94

EN

This study deals with the question of crisis in the Polish Socialists Worker's Party in the Czechoslovak part of the Teschen Silesia in the years 1934 and 1935. In 1934 Poland arranged a pact on non-aggression with the Nazi Germany. The Polish diplomacy then started sharp propagandist campaign against Czechoslovakia, under the pretext of the Czechoslovak persecution of the Polish minority in the Czechoslovak part of Teschen Silesia. This situation put the Polish socialists in the Czechoslovakia before the dilemma, whether keep the loyalty towards their Polish ethnicity, or towards Czechoslovak democracy, because the ruling regime of so-called 'sanacja' in Poland was authoritative and undemocratic. The aim of this study is to show, how Polish socialists deal themselves with this dilemma. At the preparing of this study were mainly used materials from the Land Archives in Opava, the Moravian Land Archives in Brno, the National Archives in Prague, in the Polish institution 'Biblioteka Slaska' (the Silesian Library) in Katowice and from the press of that time.

15

„Uplatňovat zdrženlivost.“ Reakce Washingtonu na československou krizi v roce 1968

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Fojtek V.

Český časopis historický (The Czech Historical Review)

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2008

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vol. 106

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issue 3

562-597

EN

The article examines the role of the United States during the 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia. Johnson's restrained policy towards Czechoslovakia together with his willingness not to give up his pursuit of at least a symbolic start of SALT along with his unsuccessful attempt to end the war in Vietnam with a 'possible' Soviet help led to a certain 'discrediting' of American foreign policy. This subsequently resulted in the fact that, in 1968, the United States was simply not able to come up with a 'meaningful alternative' to challenge the reality of the Soviet power and rule in East-Central Europe.

16

PSALM CHANT AS AN INTEGRATING ELEMENT OF JEWISH COMMUNITY IN ANCIENT TIMES (Spiew psalmiczny jako czynnik integrujacy spolecznosc zydowska w dobie starozytnej)

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Nowak A. T.

Kwartalnik Historii Nauki i Techniki

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2010

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vol. 55

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issue 1

65-89

EN

A psalm chant belongs to the basal realm of worship in Jewish communities. Among confessors of Judaism this way of expressing religious emotions had its origin in primaeval and secular tradition, which was cultivated even before Christ. The Books of the Old Testament include the mentions of singing religious chants, and especially psalms that appear already in the earliest texts - among others, in ascribed to Moses Pentateuch. Nowadays, it is commonly accepted that a final drafting of the collection of psalms can be dated to the confines of the 3rd century B. C. At the same time, one cannot say that the oldest psalms do not have much longer history. References to singing psalm chant are confirmed already in the period of the so-called Second Temple, which was built after liberation of Jews from Babylonian slavery after 520 B. C. Apart from ritual character and assignment of psalm chant to strictly religious aims that were strongly conditioned by the canons of temple worship, one could also observe the phenomenon of a private religiousness, in which psalms also played a significant role. Especially in houses of prayers and synagogues, where devout Jews gathered several times a day, psalm chant was an important element. Even in their families Judaism's believers said their prayers availing themselves of psalm chants that were regulated with Jewish Law, and were either of laudatory or of thanksgiving nature. It was an important way of entrusting God with private affairs by each Jew. Moreover, psalms were a prayer both for welfare of one's family and the whole community of confessors. Such a daily common ritual resulted in an incessant tightening family and social bonds in Jewish circles. Such circumstances and ways of practising Judaism were extremely important for the fact that for a great part of its history, Jewish nation was deprived of statehood. Remaining under foreign regulations concerning religion and culture, Jews looked for the ways of unconstrained expressing their views, aims and realization of life aspirations. Therefore, a significant role was played by a specific culture of common life, which was conditioned by religious Law, and in which - as it was mentioned - psalm chant played such a great role. Psalmody was an integrating element of Jewish communities, and particularly in the circles of Diaspora, whose members inhabited foreign territories together with a population of different descent and culture. This way of creating culture, specific for Jewish communities, was adopted by the early Christianity, which at the beginning was treated as a branch of Moses' religion. An adaptation of psalmody for purposes of christological worship brought about (as one of the important elements) gradual isolation of both religious systems, though the psalmody was still used for religious purposes by both confessions.

17

Historická geografie mezi geografií a historiografií

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Kucera Z.

Historická geografie (Historical Geography)

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2007

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vol. 34

9-19

EN

The purpose of the paper was to point out the significance of the discussion about the character of historical geography, its form and future development. What is, or what should be, the subject matter of historical-geographic research? As far as the present state of historical geography is concerned, we can find the following deficiencies: 1) unexplained status somewhere between historiography and geography, or the subject matter and object of research; 2) unexplained purpose and target of historical geographic research; 3) fragmentation of research and weak internal integrity of the field; 4) very descriptive character of research hardly focused on explaining and searching for regularities (rules); 5) low applicability of research results. With regard to the aforementioned issues, the author came up with several statements regarding future development of historical geography: 1) Historical geography is mostly geography, geographical science. 2) Even though it is sometimes very difficult to distinguish between historical geography and other geographical disciplines, its undisputable contribution is the fact that similarly as history it becomes a bridge between our past and presence. 3) Historical geography should emphasize space, rather than time, it is mostly about geographical organisation of landscape in the given period, i.e. a space-time science. On the other hand historiography which focuses on linear development in time and on chronology is (more of a time-space science. 4) Nomothetically oriented historical geography should research the state and development, causes and mechanisms of landscape changes or changes of its individual components during a certain period in the past. 5) It is necessary to initiate a broader discussion about the understanding of time and history in historical geography. It is necessary to try to define more clearly its subject matter and topic of research. 6) The purpose of historical geography is not to describe and explain the development of selected landscape features in time by means of a retrospective method. Its purpose is to understand the complexity and function of past landscape, landscape spheres. Only such historical geography can become a real geography of the past. 7) The above-described understanding of historical geography would also enable us to apply historical-geographic knowledge.

18

ON COSMOGRAPHY IN IDEAL STATE . 'CITY OF THE SUN' OF THOMAS CAMPANELLA (O kosmografii w panstwie idealnym na przykladzie Miasta Slonca Tomasza Campanelli)

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Skrycki R.

Kwartalnik Historii Nauki i Techniki

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2009

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vol. 54

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issue 1

21-36

EN

The modern representatives of Utopia paid a great attention to put their ideal constructions within the limits of 'reality'. In order to make their visions authentic, among others, they used to present detailed geographical descriptions. And the later their works were written, the more attention was paid by the authors to localization, natural conditions and relations between social policy and geography of the described country. Thanks to such presentation, the reader was convinced that read about the place, which existed in reality. Of course, in such circumstances the author was obliged to know much more about contemporary geographical writings. Undoubtedly, Thomas Campanella was a writer and philosopher, who must have known cosmographic works of the epoch. Additionally, his numerous journeys made it possible for him to verify his earlier theoretical reflections. 'City of the Sun' is a typical book that is to reveal the status of geography in contemporaneous Utopia. One should admit that the above-mentioned domain was highly appreciated by Campanella, who wrote about it very often. Moreover, geography was so much approved by him that he put Earth globe as its attribute on the altar in central place of the city. One can also say that the influence of the Great Discoveries' epoch and colonial expansion of many European countries made people pay peculiar attention to geography. What interesting, in Campanella's work besides geography, which plays a significant role, also other domains are mentioned. In a way, the realms are essential for constructing geographical descriptions (astrology = astronomy, geology, natural sciences and others) in gremio intensify the essence of description.

19

Unknown correspondence of Józef Rostafinski with Edouard Bornet on algae research (1875-1878)

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Wysokinska B.

Kwartalnik Historii Nauki i Techniki

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2007

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vol. 52

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issue 2

137-153

EN

The article deals with the early stages of research by Józef Tomasz Rostafinski (1850-1928), one of the greatest Polish biologists, a well-known botanist and humanist. Presented in the article is the correspondence between Rostafinski, and his friend and teacher, the French scientist Jean Baptiste Edouard Bornet (1828-1911). This correspondence is of great value for the assessment of Rostafinski's early research on algae. The correspondence is stored at a library at the Laboratory of Cryptogamy of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, consituting a small but homogenous and very interesting collection. It consists of eleven well-preserved manuscripts in the French language, which are kept among the materials connected with Edouard Bornet. The letters in the correspondence concern a number of topics, including scientific analysis, descriptions of J. Rostafinski research on algae, numerous questions connected with Laminariaceae, as well as other issues, relating to Rostafinski's friend, E. Janczewski, to the Villa Thuret in France, and to the problems with his mail that Rostafinski experienced in March 1876. It is well known that a major study by Rostafinski was lost and disappeared before its publication - the study in question was a large monograph of the Laminariaceae family of algae, which earned Rostafinski a gold medal in a competition organized by the Royal Academy of Sciences in Brussels in 1877. A new trace of the monograph can be found in his letters to Bornet, in which there is reflected a fragment of an authentic report on the algae research. The letters also contain references ot the work of other scientists, e.g., G. Thuret (1817-1875), E. Janczewski (1846-1918), A. de Bary (1831-1888), A. de Jolis (1823-1904) and M. Woronin (1838-1903).

20

The lot of Jewish refugees from central and western Poland (biezency) living at the territory of Bialystok district in 1939-1941

100%

Bockowski D.

Studia Podlaskie

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2006

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vol. 16

85-126

EN

Jewish refugees from central Poland whose attitudes, conduct and lot differed from the lot of native Jews to a great extent, owed their specific situation to many various factors. The Jews arrived in territories seized by USSR with hope and beliefs completely unsuitable to Soviet reality. Their beliefs derived from Soviet propaganda, which was reaching Poland, about Soviet Union's prosperity, social order, lack of nationalism or persecutions. Apart from that, Soviet Union appeared as a powerful country capable of providing security, or at least, as an excellent place to survive war commotion. Apparently all these objectives were in no way comparable to the reality which was to become part of Jewish Diaspora's life, however, quite large groups of Jewish youth, communist activists and some socialists treated their way to the homeland of the world proletariat almost as the beginning of a journey to the 'promised land'. The lot of refugees, mostly Polish Jews, escaping east from advancing German army and hoping salvation is extremely complicated, and regards people who actually have not left any apparent trait in collective memory of the local community. These people, after north-eastern lands of the II Republic of Poland were seized by the Red Army and incorporated into the Belarussian SSR, found themselves in a very specific situation. For new authorities they became an enormous 'technical' problem and - at least from NKVD's point of view - a problem threatening state security as a politically uncertain element vulnerable to any activity of German special service, which can be easily seen in documents prepared for the needs of the Central Committee of the CP(b)B by Lavrentii Tsanava, head of the Belarussian NKVD. The refugees became incorporated into the mode of the Soviet dislocation policy as one of the first, whereas in summer 1940 - already as enemies of the Soviet state - they were deported upon the same principles and to the same places where they had got in February 1940 as Polish settlers and forestry service. It was a peculiar paradox of history that thanks to these dislocations most of them survived the hell of Holocaust, which in fact annihilated their compatriots from territories of north-eastern Poland. For the price of torment, blood and life of many of them these people survived in USSR as long as to 1946 when, thanks to the Polish-Soviet agreements, they could come back to their country. Small groups of refugees deported in summer 1940, released under the Sikorski-Maiski treaty and amnesty of autumn 1941, left USSR in summer 1942 together with the troops of the Polish Army in USSR and the Polish civilians.

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