Why did Germany want Upper Silesia?
The Upper Silesia plebiscite was therefore a plebiscite for self-determination of Upper Silesia required by the Treaty of Versailles. Both Germany and Poland valued this region not only for reasons of national feeling, but for its economic importance as well. Both Poles and Germans were allowed to organize campaigns.
Are silesians German or Polish?
Silesia, Polish Śląsk, Czech Slezsko, German Schlesien, historical region that is now in southwestern Poland. Silesia was originally a Polish province, which became a possession of the Bohemian crown in 1335, passed with that crown to the Austrian Habsburgs in 1526, and was taken by Prussia in 1742.
Is Upper Silesia in Germany?
Upper Silesia (Polish: Górny Śląsk; Silesian: Gōrny Ślōnsk; Czech: Horní Slezsko; German: Oberschlesien; Silesian German: Oberschläsing; Latin: Silesia Superior) is the southeastern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia, located mostly in Poland, with small parts in the Czech Republic.
What happened to the Germans in Silesia?
After World War II, local communist authorities forbade the use of the language. After the forcible expulsion of the Germans from Silesia, German Silesian culture and language nearly died out when most of Silesia became part of Poland in 1945. Polish authorities banned the use of the German language.
Was Upper Silesia a success or failure?
In the same year, 1921, the League was equally successful in Upper Silesia. The Treaty of Versailles had given the people of Upper Silesia the right to have a referendum on whether they wanted to be part of Weimar Germany or part of Poland. In this referendum, 700,000 voted for Germany and 500,000 for Poland.
Why was Poland given Silesia?
Culturally German for centuries, Silesia was given to Poland after World War I, fell to the Nazis in 1939, and reverted to Poland after World War II in compensation for the loss of its eastern provinces to the Soviet Union. Nearly all its Germans were forcibly repatriated to Allied-administered West Germany.
Who are the Silesian people?
The Silesians lived on the territory that became part of the Great Moravia in 875. Later, in 990, the first Polish state was created by Duke Mieszko I, and then expanded by king Boleslaw I at the beginning of the 11th century. He established the Bishopric of Wrocław in Lower Silesia in the year 1000.
What is Silesian sausage?
The Piast dynasty ruled in both Masovia and in Silesia, until the last male Silesian Piast died in 1675. This sausage has a fine cut of fat and similar to our Grill Sausage yet slightly more smokey and lean. This 5″ long sausages taste wonderful when prepared on the grill or served cold.
Why did Poland get Silesia?
What was the basic reason behind Silesia uprising?
The massacre sparked protests from the Silesian Polish miners, including a general strike of about 140,000 workers, and caused the First Silesian uprising against German control of Upper Silesia. The miners demanded the local government and police become ethnically mixed to include both Germans and Poles.
Where is modern day Silesia?
Silesia (/saɪˈliːʒə, saɪˈliːʃiə/, also UK: /-iːziə/, US: /-iːʒiə, -iːʃə, sɪˈ-/) is a historical region of Central Europe that lies mostly inside the contemporary borders of Poland, with small parts in the Czech Republic and Germany.
How did the league decide what to do over Upper Silesia?
After a six-week inquiry, the League decided to split Upper Silesia between Germany and Poland. The League’s decision was accepted by both countries and by the people in Upper Silesia. However, the Treaty of Versailles had put Memel and the land surrounding the port under the control of the League.
What was the province of Upper Silesia in World War 2?
Province of Upper Silesia during World War II, composed of merged German and Polish territories.
When did the lower and Upper Silesian Offensives start?
The offensives. The Lower Silesian Offensive ran from 8–24 February 1945, and the Upper Silesian Offensive from 15–31 March. Designed to flank the Soviet main advance on Berlin, the two operations pushed the Wehrmacht out of Silesia.
How many people were killed in Upper Silesia?
Until 1943, about 230,000 ethnic Germans were located on the Polish territories of eastern Upper Silesia and the Wartheland. The death toll of the Polish population in Upper Silesia at the hands of Germans is about 25,000 victims, with 20,000 of them being from urban population.
Is there a German minority in Upper Silesia?
Near and in Opole, a German minority remains. Upper Silesia was known to be a poor, but heavily industrialised and polluted area. This was one of the Areas that P. G. Wodehouse was sent to after he was captured in the North of France as an Enemy Alien.