page_title: Slutsk uprising
section_title: Soviet–Polish War and Slutsk
hierarchical_section_title: Slutsk uprising / Backgrounds / Soviet–Polish War and Slutsk
context_page_description: The Slutsk uprising or the Slutsk defence was an unsuccessful armed attempt to establish an independent Belarus. It took place in late 1920, near the end of the Polish-Soviet War, in the region of the town of Slutsk. It involved a series of clashes between irregular Belarusian forces loyal to the Belarusian People's Republic and the Soviet Red Army, ending in a Soviet victory.
context_section_description: During the Polish-Soviet War of 1919–1920 the region of Slutsk was occupied several times by Polish and Soviet troops. Finally, on October 11, 1920 the Polish took control over the town.
  The news about the division of Belarus between Poland and the Bolsheviks provoked indignation in Belarusian society. Immediately after Polish reoccupation of the town the Belarusian National Committee recommenced its activity and started forming Belarusian self-defence units. First, a 500-man Belarusian militia corps was created.
  The Polish military were preparing to withdraw to Polish territory and did not prevent the creation of Belarusian military units. Many Polish military consisted of Belarusians and sympathised with the self-defence activities.
  Still, there was no unity among Belarusian activists as to how to further strategy. There was a fraction that advocated cooperation with Poland. On the other side, there were even proposals for cooperation with the Soviets. Because of these contradictions much time needed for military preparation was lost. Lack of solidarity had its negative effect during the whole military defence action.
  Only in November 1920 the withdrawing Polish military authorities transferred the civil power to the Belarusian National Committee. In all local communities and villages democratic elections took place; new elected Committees replaced the previous Polish-appointed local administration.
  Local representatives of Belarusian socialist revolutionaries, who were the main advocates of the idea of Belarusian independence, decided to call up a Congress to confirm the authority of the Belarusian Republic in the region. Delegates from all local communities (five from each) and Belarusian organisations (one from each) were invited.
caption: Battle of Slutzk 1919
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