Aryans, Slavs, Poles: racial myths in the Polish periodical press at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries

Based on an analysis of Polish literature, the text presents racial myths in the context of Polish-German relations at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The aim is to present an image of the concepts at play, the most frequently used terms, patterns and images. The differentiation of Europe’s population was facilitated by the increase of nationalism among nations strengthening their statehood, and those bereft of statehood. Human studies were the foundation on which the identity of a specific nation was created. It was achieved by disseminating ideas about its ancient lineage, purity of race and civilizational superiority over others. It was supposed to result from strictly physical features influencing the spiritual ones. The national bond and the course of history were to be determined by ‘race’ and ‘blood’, along with the qualities they entailed.