# Polish–Soviet War begins (1919)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1919-polish-soviet-war-begins
Location: Belarus and Ukraine
Categories: battle

Clashes between Polish and Soviet forces in Belarus in February 1919 began a war over the borderlands between the two new states. 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 (1919), the governing authority was Józef Piłsudski (Chief of State). Architect of independence and Chief of State; after the 1926 coup he remained Poland's dominant figure until his death in 1935. Polish–Soviet War begins mattered because it changed the military or territorial balance and influenced the political choices that followed. 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–Soviet War begins mattered because it changed the military or territorial balance and influenced the political choices that followed.

Ruler at the time: [Józef Piłsudski](https://poland-history.com/rulers/jozef-pilsudski)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Polish–Soviet War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish%E2%80%93Soviet_War)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Polish–Soviet War begins](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Polish%E2%80%93Soviet+War+begins)
- [Wikipedia — History of Poland during World War I (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Poland_during_World_War_I)