- Pospolite ruszenie
Pospolite ruszenie (Polish for "common movement"; the French term "
levée en masse " is also used), is an anachronistic term describing themobilisation ofarmed forces , especially during the period of thePolish-Lithuanian Commonwealth . The tradition of wartime mobilisation of part of the population existed from before the 13th century to the 19th century.Fact|date=July 2008 In the later era, "pospolite ruszenie" units were formed from the "szlachta " (Polish "nobility"), incavalry units; their weapons were the "szabla ", or, "sabre," and variouspistol s andcarbine s. Fact|date=July 2008Historical development
Before the 13th century, "pospolite ruszenie" was the customary method employed in the raising of Polish armies. Gradually, however, because of concerns about the stability of the economics of
feudalism , and the perceived unreliability of untrained peasants, it became rare for large numbers of them to be mobilised; therefore onlylandowner s were mobilised. The landowners includedknight s — who were later granted "szlachta " status. Fact|date=July 2008"Pospolite ruszenie" units were usually organised on a "
voivodship " (literally, "one who leads the warriors") basis and varied in quality. "Szlachta" from regions likeKresy (the Commonwealth's eastern borderland), where combat was common, created fairly competent units, while those from peaceful regions of the Commonwealth lacked battle experience and training compared to regular-military troops or mercenaries. From the 16th century, "pospolite ruszenie" recruits were used less often than were professional militarytroop s; nonetheless, the "szlachta" continued to believe they formed an elite army, and that their participation in the defense of the country was an important reason for their privileged position in it.Fact|date=July 2008The privileges granted by kings to the "szlachta" (particularly the 15th-century "Privilege of Cerekwica" and "
Statutes of Nieszawa ") limited the king's right to call for "pospolite ruszenie", especially for actions outside the territory ofPoland . Fact|date=July 2008 The "pospolite ruszenie" was eventually outclassed by professional forces.Fact|date=July 2008After 1794, under the influence of
revolutionary France and Enlightenment ideas about the role of themilitia , "pospolite ruszenie" was consisted of all able-bodied males between 18 and 40 years of age. Fact|date=July 2008 In 1806, by decree ofNapoleon , the "pospolite ruszenie" in theDuchy of Warsaw served for a short period as the reserve force and recruitment pool for theregular army . During theNovember Uprising in 1831, the "Sejm " (Polish Parliament) called for "pospolite ruszenie" recruits from the ages of 17 to 50, but that plan was opposed by GeneralJan Zygmunt Skrzynecki .Fact|date=July 2008During the
Second Republic of Poland (1918-1939), the "pospolite ruszenie" consisted of reservesoldiers , aged 40-50, and officers, aged 50-60. They were required to participate in army exercises and to serve in armed forces during times ofwar . In mobilization schemes, the "pospolite ruszenie" was utilized as the "third wave" of troops arriving to the front.Fact|date=July 2008
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