Kaliszanie
Encyclopedia
Kaliszanie or Kalisz Opposition was a semi-formal political group opposed to the conservative
authorities of the Kingdom of Poland
in the period preceding the outbreak of the November Uprising
. The circle was formed around 1820 by brothers Bonawentura
and Wincenty Niemojowski
, two liberal
politicians from the western provinces of Poland. The group was opposed to the government, yet supported only legal means of political struggle. Its main aims were the defence of the autonomy of Congress Poland within the Russian Empire
and the Polish Constitution of 1815. They also played a pivotal role in founding of the National Patriotic Society.
Although opposing to any means of revolutionary changes, the Kaliszanie eventually supported the November Uprising
and joined the ranks of the National Government
in 1830. During the period of struggle against Russia the Kaliszanie practically dominated the government, controlling the ministries of internal affairs, treasury and war. Following the fall of the uprising in 1831, most of its members had to flee Poland and continued their political activities abroad, notably in London and Paris.
Among the noted politicians commonly associated with the movement were Alojzy and Józef Biernacki, Teodor and Teofil Morawski, Bonawentura, Jan Nepomucen and Wincenty Niemojowski, Antoni Jan
and Władysław Tomasz Ostrowski, Ignacy Prądzyński
, Stanisław Kaczkowski, Józef Komorowski, Jan Nepomucen Umiński and Walenty Zwierkowski.
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
authorities of the Kingdom of Poland
Congress Poland
The Kingdom of Poland , informally known as Congress Poland , created in 1815 by the Congress of Vienna, was a personal union of the Russian parcel of Poland with the Russian Empire...
in the period preceding the outbreak of the November Uprising
November Uprising
The November Uprising , Polish–Russian War 1830–31 also known as the Cadet Revolution, was an armed rebellion in the heartland of partitioned Poland against the Russian Empire. The uprising began on 29 November 1830 in Warsaw when the young Polish officers from the local Army of the Congress...
. The circle was formed around 1820 by brothers Bonawentura
Bonawentura Niemojowski
Bonawentura Niemojowski was a Polish lawyer, writer and politician. He was one of the leaders of Polish National Government during the November Uprising.-Biography:...
and Wincenty Niemojowski
Wincenty Niemojowski
Wincenty Niemojowski was a Polish political activist in Congress Poland. Member of the Kalisz Opposition, later joined the revolutionary government during the November Uprising.-References:...
, two liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
politicians from the western provinces of Poland. The group was opposed to the government, yet supported only legal means of political struggle. Its main aims were the defence of the autonomy of Congress Poland within the Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
and the Polish Constitution of 1815. They also played a pivotal role in founding of the National Patriotic Society.
Although opposing to any means of revolutionary changes, the Kaliszanie eventually supported the November Uprising
November Uprising
The November Uprising , Polish–Russian War 1830–31 also known as the Cadet Revolution, was an armed rebellion in the heartland of partitioned Poland against the Russian Empire. The uprising began on 29 November 1830 in Warsaw when the young Polish officers from the local Army of the Congress...
and joined the ranks of the National Government
Polish National Government
Polish National Government 1863-1864- underground Polish supreme authority during January Uprising against Russian occupation of Poland. It had collegial form, resided in Warsaw and was headed by Karol Majewski...
in 1830. During the period of struggle against Russia the Kaliszanie practically dominated the government, controlling the ministries of internal affairs, treasury and war. Following the fall of the uprising in 1831, most of its members had to flee Poland and continued their political activities abroad, notably in London and Paris.
Among the noted politicians commonly associated with the movement were Alojzy and Józef Biernacki, Teodor and Teofil Morawski, Bonawentura, Jan Nepomucen and Wincenty Niemojowski, Antoni Jan
Antoni Jan Ostrowski
Count Antoni Jan Ostrowski was a Polish noble , landowner, political and economic activist, general and publicist....
and Władysław Tomasz Ostrowski, Ignacy Prądzyński
Ignacy Pradzynski
Ignacy Prądzyński was a Polish military commander and a general of the Polish Army. A veteran of the Napoleonic Wars, he was one of the most successful Polish commanders of the November Uprising against Russia....
, Stanisław Kaczkowski, Józef Komorowski, Jan Nepomucen Umiński and Walenty Zwierkowski.