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This is a chronological list of wars in whichPoland or its predecessor states, took an active part, extending from the reign ofMieszko I (960–992) to the present. This list does not includepeacekeeping operations (such asUNPROFOR,UNTAES orUNMOP),humanitarian missions or training missions supported by thePolish Armed Forces.
The list gives the name, the date, the Polish allies and enemies, and the result of these conflicts following this legend:
During theMiddle Ages, Poland sought to incorporate other fellowWest Slavic peoples under the rule of the Polan dukes, such asMieszko I,Boleslaw I Chrobry and their descendants, and then defend the lands conquered in the west from theHoly Roman Empire. In the east and south it struggled withRuthenia,Bohemia. In the north-east, it encountered intermittentLithuanian andPrussian raids.
In 1138, after the death ofBolesław III Wrymouth, Poland was divided into districts ruled by localprinces. This began a period offeudal fragmentation that lasted for more than 187 years during which Poland was severely weakened due to incessant internal conflicts. The feudal fragmentation ended in 1320 during the reign ofWładyslaw I Lokietek.
In 1320, after the end of the feudal fragmentation, during the reign ofWładyslaw I Łokietek and his sonCasimir III the Great, Poland experienced a period of strong economic development, this period also increased migration to Poland especially ofGermans andJews. The period ended after the death of Casimir the Great and the assumption of the Polish throne byLouis I.
| Date | Conflict | Belligerents 1 | Belligerents 2 | Leaders | Events | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1323 | Polish–Hungarian expedition to Ruthenia[85][86] |  Kingdom of Poland.svg) Kingdom of Hungary |  Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia | Victory | ||
| 1326 | Raid on Brandenburg | Kingdom of Poland |  Margraviate of Brandenburg | Victory | ||
| 1326– 1332 | Polish-Teutonic War | Kingdom of Poland |  Teutonic Knights | Indecisive | ||
| 1340– 1392 | Galicia-Volhynia Wars | Kingdom of Poland | Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia | Victory | ||
| 1345– 1348 | Polish-Czech War | Kingdom of Poland |  Kingdom of Bohemia | Indecisive | ||
| 1352–1358 | Maciek Borkowicz's Confederation [pl] | Kingdom of Poland | Maciek Borkowicz's ConfederationFamilies fromGreater Poland andBrandenburg | Victory | ||
| 1375– 1377 | Hungarian-Ottoman War | Kingdom of Poland |  Ottoman Empire | Victory | ||
| 1381– 1385 | Greater Poland Civil War |  Grzymała |  Nałęcz | Internal conflict |
For much of its early history as a Christian state, Poland had to contend with Pomeranians, Prussians, Lithuanians and other Baltic peoples in continuous border wars without clear results or end in sight. After theTeutonic Order conquered and assimilated the Prussians, it began incursions into both Polish and Lithuanian territories. This represented a far greater threat to both Poland and Lithuania, and the two countries united in a defensive alliance by the crowning of the Lithuanian DukeJogaila as King of Poland (as Władysław II) which led to a major confrontation at theBattle of Grunwald in 1410 and subsequent wars until 1525, when the Order became a vassal to thePolish Crown.
The 17th century saw fierce rivalry between the then major Eastern European powers –Sweden, thePolish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and theOttoman Empire. At its heyday, the Commonwealth comprised the territories of present-day Poland, and large parts ofUkraine,Belarus,Lithuania,Latvia,Estonia, andRussia, and represented a major European power. However, by the end of the 18th century a series of internal conflicts and wars with foreign enemies led to the dissolution of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and thepartitioning of most of its dependent territories among other European powers.
During the 18th century, European powers (most frequently consisting ofRussia,Sweden,Prussia andSaxony) fought several wars for the control of the territories of the former Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. At the end of the 18th century, some Poles attempted to defend Poland from growing foreign influence in the country's internal affairs. These late attempts to preserve independence eventually failed, ultimately ending in Poland'spartition and the final dissolution of the remains of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Poles unsuccessfully struggled to win back their independence throughout the 19th century. At first, they put their hopes inNapoleon. Later, they tried to ignite national uprisings every now and then – most of them bloodily repressed.
Poles unsuccessfully struggled to win back their independence throughout the 19th century. At first, they put their hopes inNapoleon. Later, they tried to ignite national uprisings every now and then – most of them bloodily repressed.
| Date | Conflict | Belligerents 1 | Belligerents 2 | Leaders | Events | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1830– 1831 | November Uprising |  Kingdom of Poland |  Russian Empire | Defeat | ||
| 1846 | Kraków Uprising |  Poles [pl] |  Austrian Empire | Defeat | ||
| 1848 | Greater Poland Uprising | Poles |  Prussia | Defeat | ||
| 1863– 1864 | January Uprising | .svg) Poles | Russian Empire | Defeat | ||
| 1905– 1907 | Revolution of 1905 |  Polish revolutionaries [pl] | Russian Empire | Defeat | ||
| 1914– 1918 | World War I |  German Empire Austria-Hungary Polish LegionsCentral Powers | Russian Empire British Empire French Third Republic | Victory[a] |
In the turmoil of theFirst World War, Poles managed to regain independence and then to expand their territory in a series of local wars and uprisings; only to be occupied again during the next world war.
Thehistory of Poland from 1939 to 1945 encompasses primarily the period from theinvasion of Poland byNazi Germany and theSoviet Union to the end ofWorld War II. Following theGerman–Soviet non-aggression pact,Poland was invaded by Nazi Germany on 1 September 1939 and by the Soviet Unionon 17 September. The campaigns ended in early October with Germany and the Soviet Uniondividing and annexing the whole of Poland. After theAxis attack on the Soviet Union in the summer of 1941, the entirety ofPoland was occupied by Germany, which proceeded to advance itsracial and genocidal policies across Poland.
| Date | Conflict | Belligerents 1 | Belligerents 2 | Leaders | Events | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | Jabłonków incident |  Second Polish Republic |  Nazi Germany | Victory | ||
| 1939 | World War II –September Campaign | Second Polish Republic | Nazi Germany | Defeat | ||
| 1939– 1945 | World War II –Polish resistance |  Polish Underground State | Nazi Germany | Indecisive[b] | ||
| 1939– 1945 | World War II –Western Front | Polish government-in-exileAllies: | Nazi Germany Italy | Victory | ||
| 1943– 1945 | World War II –Eastern Front | Polish Republic Soviet Union | Nazi Germany | Victory |
The second half of the 20th century was more peaceful, but still tense, as Poland was involved in theCold War on theSoviet side.
| Date | Conflict | Belligerents 1 | Belligerents 2 | Leaders | Events | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939– 1947 | Polish–Ukrainian conflict | Polish Underground StatePolish People's RepublicSoviet Union |  Ukrainian Insurgent ArmyNazi GermanyCursed soldiers | Victory | ||
| 1944–1953 | Anti-communist resistance in Poland | Polish People's Republic | Cursed soldiers | Internal conflict
| ||
| 1945 | Racibórz Conflict | Polish People's Republic |  Czechoslovakia | Indecisive | ||
| 1945 | Kórnica Uprising | Polish People's Republic |  Germans |
| Victory | |
| 1945 | Walce Uprising | Polish People's Republic | Germans |
| Victory | |
| 1949–1955 | Operation Jungle |  Soviet UnionPolish People's Republic | United KingdomWest Germany Sweden Denmark United States | Victory | ||
| 1968 | Invasion of Czechoslovakia |  Warsaw Pact:Soviet UnionPeople's Republic of Poland People's Republic of Hungary People's Republic of Bulgaria East Germany | Czechoslovakia | Victory |
At the beginning of the 21st century Poland is involved in theWar against terrorism on theNATO side.
W 995 roku Otton III porozumiał się z Bolesławem Chrobrym w sprawie wspólnego ataku na Słowian Połabskich,jednak misja zakończyła się porażką, a Słowianie zaczęli odważniej i częściej najeżdżać tereny Niemiec.
but in 1074the cousins quarelled and Salamon was evicted. Geza ruled for three years (1074-7)
He plundered Silesia through several military invasions and in 1093 "forced" Vladislav Herman to pay the amount owed and restore tribute.
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