After the Second World War, Polish landowners lost their estates as a result of the communist land reform. While some decided to emigrate, others remained in the country and attempted to cope with the new reality of People's Poland. The latter group was perceived as structural enemies of the socialist system by the communist authorities and was consequently placed under strict surveillance. Based on extensive archival research at the Institute of National Remembrance, this article illustrates the operational activities performed by the security apparatus officials towards individual representatives of the Greater Poland landowners during the Stalinist period. Furthermore, it examines the diverse reactions, attitudes, and coping mechanisms of this social group in the face of political repression and attempted agent recruitment.
Publication Date: 2015