Union of Youth Struggle

Union of Youth Struggle
Związek Walki Młodych
Founded1943
Dissolved1948
Ideology
Mother partyPolish Workers' Party
National affiliationNational Front (1947–1948)
International affiliationWFDY
NewspaperYouth Struggle
President Bolesław Bierut at the National Assembly of ZWM, 21–22 July 1946

The Union of Youth Struggle (Polish: Związek Walki Młodych, ZWM) was a communist youth organization in Poland. ZWM was founded in 1942.[1] It was linked to the Polish Workers Party (PPR).[2][3] Hanka Szapiro-Sawicka was the founding leader of ZWM.[4] She was killed by German authorities on 10 March 1943.[4] Leadership of ZWM was then taken over by Jan Krasicki.[4] Krasicki was shot by Gestapo on 2 September 1943.[4] After Krasicki's death, Helena Jaworska became the ZWM leader.[4] ZWM was active in the anti-fascist struggle, organizing People's Guard militia forces.[4][5] ZWM played an important role in broadening the base of PPR.[4] Walka Młodych ('Youth Struggle') was the central organ of ZWM.[6]

As of 1947 ZWM had 224,000 members[1] On 22 July 1948 ZWM and other youth organizations merged into the Polish Youth Union (ZMP).[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Krystyna Kersten (1991). The Establishment of Communist Rule in Poland, 1943-1948. University of California Press. pp. 210, 422. ISBN 978-0-520-06219-1.
  2. ^ Z pola walki. Ksia̜żka i Wiedza. 1984. p. 183.
  3. ^ Wladyslaw Majkowski (1985). People's Poland: Patterns of Social Inequality and Conflict. Greenwood Press. p. 36. ISBN 978-0-313-24614-2.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Polish Western Affairs. Instytut Zachodni. 1975. p. 194.
  5. ^ Rada Ochrony Pomników Walki i Męczeństwa (Poland) (1968). Scenes of fighting and martyrdom: guide: war years in Poland, 1939-1945. Sport i Turystyka Publications. p. 19.
  6. ^ KC PZPR. Zakład Historii Partii; Poland. Ogólnopolski Komitet Wspólpracy Organizacji Mlodziezowych (1965). Walka młodych pokoleń: materiały. Książka i Wiedza. p. 434.