Wiesław Caban (Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce) 19th-century Disputes on the Road to Independence Disputes and discussions related to the prospect of regaining independence by Poland captured the minds of Polish refugees in France as early as the end of the eighteenth century. The defeat of the November Uprising intensified discussion on the roads to independence, particularly in exile, and the echoes of those voices reached the Polish lands. Fr. Adam Czartoryski was trying to win France, England and the Vatican City for the Polish cause. Polish Democratic Society wanted to cooperate with European independence and revolutionary movements. The current shape of the Polish free state, the capitalist economy and the enfranchisement of peasants were the subjects of disputes about independence. The movement referred to as Christian socialism represented in England by the Polish People Associations and in Poland by Fr. Piotr Ściegienny became popular. In the era of the January Uprising what was desired was the support of the peoples and governments of Western Europe. At the same time, discussions on the emancipation of peasants, the state borders of 1772, relations with closest neighbors and co-operation of Polish and Russian democratic movements were widespread. Aleksander Wielopolski could not realize the idea of returning to the Kingdom of Poland from the years 1815 – 1830. The subject of independence was present in the statements of positivists and representatives of the socialist movement. National movement after the transformation of the Polish League into the National League considered armed uprising against Russia as unrealistic. The events of 1914 finally confirmed the position of Joachim Lelewel and Adam Mickiewicz that only war of nations could bring Poles independence. Key words: November uprising, January uprising, emigration, independence, enfranchisement of peasants, revolutionary movement, positivism, national movement