Nationalism on the Margins - Brendan Karch

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
While the subjects of my research may be defined largely by apathy and indifference,
those who helped me complete this work showed passion, enthusiasm, and generosity at
every turn. This dissertation would not have been possible without the support of
innumerable professors, colleagues, institutions, fellowships, archivists, friends, and family
members, only some of whom can be thanked here. David Blackbourn graciously took me
on as his student, remained enthusiastic throughout my project, and provided insightful and
constructive criticism while tirelessly scrutinizing every word of every draft I gave him. His
dedication to intellectual rigor and to his students’ success has made this work possible.
From Alison Frank I not only learned what a model historian of Central Europe should be; I
also benefitted from her thorough feedback and sage advice through the many twists and
turns of graduate school. I am grateful to Charles Maier for encouraging me to stay
grounded in strong evidence, but to let my analysis soar. My work also owes an enormous
debt to Pieter Judson, who for over a decade has been an intellectual motivator, advisor, and
life coach.
The extensive archival research necessary for this project was made possible by the
funding of the Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program, with
additional resources provided by the Harvard Center for European Studies and Davis Center
for Russian and Eurasian Studies. Marek Czapliński and Elżbieta Everding in Wrocław, and
Bernard Linek and Maciej Borkowski in Opole, provided me at turns with intellectual
advice, logistical assistance, housing, and friendship. Their combined generosity made my
many months of research in Poland both pleasant and productive. Among the countless
archivists and librarians who have assisted me, those at the Polish National Archives in
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