Contested Legacy: The Evolution of Historical Narratives on the Polish People’s Republic before and after Political Transformation

Abstract

The history of the Polish People’s Republic (Polish abbreviation: PRL) constitutes one of the most significant and, at the same time, one of the most controversial areas of Polish historiography. Since the 1970s and 1980s, in the context of recurring political and economic crises, some researchers began to question the prevailing research paradigms in an attempt to reach the so-called “truth”. At the same time, historians associated with the then-regime emphasized the achievements of socialist Poland, responding to criticism coming from academic circles. Although the PRL formally ceased to exist in the late 1980s, interest in this period has not diminished – on the contrary, historical debates have increasingly focused on issues of independence, modernization, and the concept of the “true Poland”. This article analyzes the transformations in historical writing concerning the PRL during the period of political transition, presenting them as an expression of the zeitgeist as well as structural changes, a form of political engagement by scholars, and a space for the clash of collective memory and personal emotions.