Polska Kazimierzowska w polskich, rosyjskich, białoruskich i ukraińskich podręcznikach do historii

Abstract

In Poland Casimir the Great has been traditionally held in high esteem. He is commonly called “The Good Landlord” and a generally positive image - especially concerning his peace policies playing significant role in the development of his kingdom and well-being of his subjects - is dominant in Polish history textbooks. It appears that in the neighbouring countries - in particular Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine – such positive visions are also not shared. The author compares textbooks written during the Soviet rule with contemporary historical publications distributed in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. Numerous examples from numerous textbooks illustrate that the descriptions presented there are diverse and historically evolving; while the earlier positions basically neglected the Polish king and his kingdom, the later books devote to him more attention, although also not everywhere. It seems clear that the message addressed to the young generations of Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine reflects the political changes in the post-Communist countries.