''Obóz Zjednoczenia Narodowego'' (, OZN; ), often called ''Ozon'' (Polish for "

ozone Ozone () (or trioxygen) is an Inorganic compound, inorganic molecule with the chemical formula . It is a pale blue gas with a distinctively pungent smell. It is an allotrope of oxygen that is much less stable than the diatomic allotrope , break ...

"), was a Polish

political party A political party is an organization that coordinates candidates to compete in a particular area's elections. It is common for the members of a party to hold similar ideas about politics, and parties may promote specific political ideology, ...

founded in 1937 by sections of the leadership in the Sanation movement. A year after the 1935 death of Poland's Chief of State

Marshal Marshal is a term used in several official titles in various branches of society. As marshals became trusted members of the courts of Middle Ages, Medieval Europe, the title grew in reputation. During the last few centuries, it has been used fo ...

Józef Piłsudski Józef Klemens Piłsudski (; 5 December 1867 – 12 May 1935) was a Polish statesman who served as the Chief of State (Poland), Chief of State (1918–1922) and first Marshal of Poland (from 1920). In the aftermath of World War I, he beca ...

, in mid-1936, one of his followers,

Edward Rydz-Śmigły Marshal Edward Śmigły-Rydz also called Edward Rydz-Śmigły, (11 March 1886 – 2 December 1941) was a Polish people, Polish politician, statesman, Marshal of Poland and Commander-in-Chief of Poland's armed forces, as well as a painter and ...

, attempted to unite the various government factions under his leadership. The attempt failed as another (opposing) Sanacja politician,

President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television *'' Præsident ...

Ignacy Mościcki, likewise had a large following; nevertheless, substantial numbers of people did throw their lot in with Rydz-Śmigły. On February 21, 1937, diplomat and Colonel Adam Koc formally announced the formation of ''OZN''. Its stated aims were to improve Poland's

national defense National security, or national defence (national defense in American English), is the security and defence of a sovereign state, including its citizens, economy, and institutions, which is regarded as a duty of government. Originally conceived ...

and to safeguard the April 1935 Constitution. ''OZN'' was strongly pro-

military A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. Militaries are typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with their members identifiable by a d ...

, and its politicians sought to portray Marshal Rydz-Śmigły as Marshal Józef Piłsudski's heir, describing Rydz-Śmigły as the "second person in the country" after President Mościcki—a claim that had no foundation in the Polish Constitution. The party later went on to win the 1938 Legislative election. ''OZNs first official leader was Adam Koc, and its second was General Stanisław Skwarczyński. After the 1939 German invasion of Poland and the start of

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, ''OZN'' leadership passed to Colonel Zygmunt Wenda. In 1937, ''OZN'' claimed some 40,000–50,000 members; in 1938, 100,000. During World War II and the German occupation of Poland, ''OZNs underground military arm, created in 1942, was known as '' Obóz Polski Walczącej'' (the Camp of Fighting Poland).

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Bibliography

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Camp Of National Unity Political parties established in 1937 1937 establishments in Poland Defunct political parties in Poland Nationalist parties in Poland Antisemitism in Europe Antisemitism in Poland Polish nationalism Polish nationalist parties Right-wing antisemitism Political parties disestablished in 1940 1940 disestablishments in Poland

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