Language played a crucial role in developing nationalism in Poland. After Russian occupation, the Polish language was forcibly removed from schools and Russian was imposed everywhere. In resistance, Polish clergy used the Polish language for church gatherings and religious instruction, turning it into a symbol of national resistance. Many priests and bishops were imprisoned or exiled to Siberia for refusing to preach in Russian. Thus, the use of Polish became a powerful weapon against Russian dominance and kept nationalist sentiments alive.
Source: Chapter 1 – Nationalism in Europe
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Examiners expect three clear points for 3 marks: (1) Russian suppression of Polish language, (2) clergy using Polish as resistance, and (3) Polish language becoming a nationalist symbol. Avoid mixing in unrelated content (music, Grimm brothers). Stick to the passage on Poland and language specifically.