At that time Lesser Poland , like other provinces of the country , faced several problems . Even though major post-World War I conflicts ( such as Polish – Soviet War ) did not take place there , it suffered from unemployment , overpopulation , and poverty , especially in towns and countryside . Furthermore , Polish government had to connect parts of the hitherto divided country . There was no direct rail link between Kraków , and Kielce , Radom , and Lublin , and until 1934 , when line from Kraków to Tunel was opened , all travelers had to go via Sosnowiec – Maczki . Lack of rail communication between former Austrian and former Russian parts of Lesser Poland is visible even today . Between Kraków and Dęblin , there are only two rail bridges along the Vistula . Residents of the province tried to improve their conditions using legal means , but when it turned out to be impossible , they took to fighting ( 1923 Kraków riot , 1937 peasant strike in Poland ) . As if to exacerbate the desperate situation , Lesser Poland witnessed a catastrophic flood in 1934 , after which the government decided to construct dams on local rivers
a catastrophic flood
1934 flood in Poland
Lesser Poland