Ptakowski Jerzy Papers, (1917-) 1928-1983

Jerzy Ptakowski (1913-1983) was a one of leaders of the National Democratic Party (Stronnictwo Narodowe) and political prisoner of German concentration camps Auschwitz and Dachau. After the WWII he was the Special Delegate of the Ministry of Interior of the Polish Government-in-Exile for Problems of Polish Population in the American Occupation Zone in Germany (1945-1947), member of the Council of National Unity (1950-1961) and a staff member of the Radio Free Europe Polish Research and Analysis Section.

Arrangement in Series: Archive of the National Democratic Party; Radio Free Europe; Special Delegate of the Ministry of Interior of the Polish Government-in-Exile in the American Occupation Zone in Germany; The Polish Weekly "LECH"; Photographs.

The collection contains historical documents the Polish National Democratic Party (Stronnictwo Narodowe) relating to the pre-war Polish political situation and public administration in Poland after Pilsudski's coup d'état (May 1926), attempts by the National Democrats and Socialists to overthrow Pilsudski's regime (1930) and the Brzesc trials (1930-1933). There are documents and publications of the Polish Government-in-Exile (1939-1945) concerning Polish-Soviet relations, Polish prisoners of war in the USSR and the Katyn massacre, materials on Yalta and Potsdam Conferences and the falsified Polish elections by Communists (1947). There are also biographical sketches and reports on Polish Communist Party (PZPR) Politburo members Jakub Berman, Edward Ochab, Konstanty Rokossowski, Marian Spychalski, Wladyslaw Gomulka and leading Communists and diplomats who defected to the West. It contains also selected typescripts of Radio Free Europe broadcasts to Poland, records on Communist repression in Poland (1944-1950) and Soviet labor camps, deportations, Polish Jews, minorities in Poland and youth organizations. There are many publications of the National Democratic Party - bulletins: MYSL POLSKA (POLISH THOUGHT) and BIULETYN STRONNICTWA NARODOWEGO published in the USA. The collection contains press clippings on Pope John Paul II, photographs, records of the Polish Weekly "LECH" published in Germany (1947-1949) and also records of Polish schools, Polish organizations and UNRRA in the American Occupation Zone in Germany (1945-1950).

Acquisition Note: Gift of Jerzy Ptakowski (1976-1983). 
Language: English, Russian, German, French.  
Dimensions: 44 storage boxes, 427 folders, 18 ft. = 5.80 m
Local system # 011
Finding Aids: Collection inventory, database description, folder level control. 

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