# May Coup (1926)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1926-may-coup
Location: Warsaw
Categories: main-event

Józef Piłsudski marched on Warsaw with loyal troops and, after three days of fighting that killed hundreds, overthrew the government. He established the Sanacja regime. Within the broader Second Republic period: The Second Polish Republic built a state from three former partitions, weathered political crises and the May Coup, and developed its economy and culture before being threatened by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. At this point in the timeline (12 May 1926), the governing authority was Stanisław Wojciechowski (President of Poland). Second President; resigned after Piłsudski's May Coup. May Coup mattered because a revolt against the existing order tested the strength of rulers and the aspirations of the nation. 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
May Coup mattered because a revolt against the existing order tested the strength of rulers and the aspirations of the nation.

Ruler at the time: [Ignacy Mościcki](https://poland-history.com/rulers/ignacy-moscicki)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — May Coup (Poland)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Coup_(Poland))
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — May Coup](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=May+Coup)
- [Wikipedia — Second Polish Republic (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Polish_Republic)