For Immediate Release:
Polonia Institute announces
2025 Competition on the History of Poland
First Prize – $3,000
May 3, 2025
The Betrayal of the First Ally
Poland at the end of WWII
Eighty years have passed since the end of WWII, the most devastating war in 1000 years of the history of Poland. Attacked by Nazi Germany from the West and the Soviet Union from the East, Poland suffered the greatest human, material and non-material losses among all the nations impacted by this conflict.
Despite being the First Ally of the winning coalition, Poland lost its independence as a result of WWII to the Soviet Union and continued to suffer under the brutal Stalinist regime for decades to come. To this day, Poland has not received any war reparations either from Germany or the Soviet Union and its successor, Russia.
Essay:
In your essay, please analyze the following issues: 1) the significance of the 1943 death of General Władysław Sikorski in Gibraltar – causes and consequences; 2) Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin Tehran Conference; 3) The Polish-Soviet relations in the Allied Coalition 1941-1945; 4) The Yalta Agreement and its consequences; 5) the drama of the Invincible Soldiers; 6) the demise of the legitimate Polish Government in London; 7) the demise of the Polish Army in the West; 8) the Cold War; 9) was the betrayal of the First Ally worthy?
Please reach out to the Polish sources, for example, the Polish Institute of National Remembrance here: https://ipn.gov.pl/en. Do not use references to Wikipedia.
Essay Requirements:
The essay shall reflect the contestant’s own research and original thinking. AI usage is not allowed.
The paper shall have no less than 10 pages but shall not exceed 20 typed pages (including bibliography); shall be typed in 12-point font, double-spaced, with 1” margins; pages shall be numbered. The essay shall be submitted in the English language. All entries become the property of the Polonia Institute.
Eligibility:
The 2025 Essay Competition on the History of Poland is open to adults at least 18 years and older as of October 1, 2025. Proof of age is required. A copy of a valid document showing the date of birth is acceptable.
Deadline:
October 1, 2025. Results will be announced on or about November 11, 2025.
Awards:
First Prize is $3,000. Additional monetary and non-monetary awards may be offered. Additional essays may be considered for recognition and publication. Polonia Institute reserves the right to publish selected essays and/or excerpts of selected essays in future publications, newsletters, and other materials.
Procedure:
The Application Form can be found here: 2025/05/Application-Form.pdf.
Email your essay with the Application Form and proof of age to:
info@poloniainstitute.net with cc to: mszonert@yahoo.com
For more information, send an email to: mszonert@yahoo.com
