# Intelligenzaktion (1939)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1939-intelligenzaktion
Location: Pomerania

German forces and paramilitaries murdered tens of thousands of teachers, priests, officials and activists in Pomerania and other annexed regions. 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 (1939), the governing authority was Ignacy Mościcki (President of Poland). Chemist and inventor elected with Piłsudski's backing; interned in Romania in 1939 he transferred office to Raczkiewicz. Intelligenzaktion mattered because violence against people and institutions left a lasting mark on Polish political life and memory. 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
Intelligenzaktion mattered because violence against people and institutions left a lasting mark on Polish political life and memory.

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

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