# Polish Legions formed (1914)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1914-polish-legions-formed
Location: Galicia

The Polish Legions were formed within the Austro-Hungarian army from Piłsudski's riflemen and other volunteers. They became the core of the future Polish army. Within the broader World War I & Independence period: The First World War destroyed the partitioning empires. Poland regained independence in November 1918 and fought for its borders in a series of wars and uprisings until 1921. At this point in the timeline (1914), 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. Polish Legions formed mattered because it shaped the armed forces through which Poles defended or fought to regain their 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
Polish Legions formed mattered because it shaped the armed forces through which Poles defended or fought to regain their statehood.

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

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Polish Legions in World War I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_Legions_in_World_War_I)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Polish Legions formed](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Polish+Legions+formed)
- [Wikipedia — History of Poland during World War I (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Poland_during_World_War_I)