# National Democracy founded (1897)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1897-national-democracy-founded
Location: Warsaw

Roman Dmowski and others founded the National Democratic Party, which became the main nationalist movement in Polish politics. Within the broader Partitioned Poland period: Without a state, Poles preserved their nation through uprisings, emigration, Romantic literature, 'organic work' and modern political movements, while facing Russification and Germanisation. At this point in the timeline (1897), the governing authority was Nicholas II (King of Poland (Tsar of Russia)). Last tsar; Russian control of the Kingdom of Poland ended when Warsaw fell to German forces in August 1915. National Democracy founded mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
National Democracy founded mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood.

Ruler at the time: [Nicholas II](https://poland-history.com/rulers/nicholas-ii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — National Democracy (Poland)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Democracy_(Poland))
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — National Democracy founded](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=National+Democracy+founded)
- [Wikipedia — History of Poland (1795–1918) (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Poland_(1795%E2%80%931918))