# Government-in-exile (1939)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1939-government-in-exile
Location: Paris

Władysław Raczkiewicz became President in France and appointed General Władysław Sikorski as Prime Minister and commander-in-chief, preserving the continuity of the Polish state. Within the broader World War II period: Invaded by Germany and the Soviet Union, Poland suffered brutal occupation and the Holocaust, while its underground state and armed forces fought on every front of the war. At this point in the timeline (30 September 1939), the governing authority was Władysław Raczkiewicz (President of Poland (in exile)). President of the internationally recognised Polish government-in-exile in France and London during World War II. Government-in-exile 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
Government-in-exile mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood.

Ruler at the time: [Władysław Raczkiewicz](https://poland-history.com/rulers/wladyslaw-raczkiewicz)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Polish government-in-exile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_government-in-exile)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Government-in-exile](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Government-in-exile)
- [Wikipedia — History of Poland (1939–1945) (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Poland_(1939%E2%80%931945))