The Myth of Cordial Polish–Austrian Relations

The discourse on the role of the Habsburg Empire in the (thought, imagined, desired) future of an independent Polish state understandably did not commence with the emigration or with the outbreak of the November Uprising of 1830–1831. Adam Jerzy Czartoryski, Władysław Zamoyski, and others formulated their ideas, plans, or concepts based on a particular tradition and continuity of the political thinking of the elites of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This was complemented by their attitudes, visions, education, family background or experiences. Naturally, this reflection was also evident in how they approached the issue and were willing to consider changes in the political course or even the entire geopolitical context.