At the roots of the Second Polish Republic’s diplomacy. The creation, development and functioning of the foreign ministry of the Regency Kingdom of Poland in the years 1917-1918

Abstract

The Department of Political Affairs of the Provisional Council of State was established in January 1917 as the nucleus of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Poland, organized depending on the Central Powers. In 1918 it was transformed into the State Department. It functioned under the auspices of the Regency Council appointed by the occupiers. The deteriorating military situation in Germany and Austria-Hungary led in October 1918 to the appointment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the government of the Regency Council under the chairmanship of Józef Świerzyński.