Union of Upper Silesians
Encyclopedia
The Union of Upper Silesians was a mass movement for the independence of Upper Silesia
. The lands of Prussian Upper Silesia and Austrian Silesia
, which existed from January 1919 to 1924 within the borders of Germany
, then in the borders of the international plebiscite territory, constituted Upper Silesia.
by three Catholic politicians: Ewald Latacz
, the chairman of Workers Council in Wodzisław Śląski as well as lawyer, and civil law notary, Thomas Reginek, a priest from Mikulczyce (today the district of Zabrze
), and teacher Jan Reginek, chairman of Workers' and Soldiers' Council in Racibórz
. The Upper Silesian Committee in Rybnik
demanded "independent political stance" from Poland, Czechoslovakia and Germany
and guaranteed neutrality similar to that found in countries such as Switzerland
and Belgium
. The committee had no structures and no political program. On December 5, 1918, a German-language brochure titled "Upper Silesia – independent/autonomous free state" ("Oberschlesien – ein Selbständiger Freistaat") was published by the Committee for the Creation of the Upper Silesian Free State in Katowice and was probably written by priest Thomas Reginek. The brochure was a secret Upper Silesian Committee appeal to Silesians
to take the lead in political, economic, and social questions, as well as to create an independent state like Switzerland
, in which all language groups would be equal in rights. The author predicted that incorporation of Upper Silesia
into Poland
would be an economic catastrophe for the land, stating that it would be only "a source of incomes and taxes" for the Polish state, and that Silesians would be treated as "second category citizens" by officials from Poland.
a conference of all political parties in Upper Silesia
was held, organized by Carl Ulitzka, the leader of the Upper Silesian structures of the Catholic Centre Party (Germany)
. The leaders of Upper Silesian communists (KPOS), Independent Social Democratic Party of Germany
(USPD), and the radical Polish camp of Wojciech Korfanty
did not attend the conference. So the slogan "all parties" was pronounced political spectrum from German social-democrats (SPD
), across Protestant conservatists (DNVP) and liberals (DDP), to Centre Party and conservative environment of Polish-language newspaper Katolik (The Catholic) – Poles
from Adam Napieralski and Silesians
from Johannes Kapitza. In this conference the leader of the Upper Silesian Committee, Ewald Latacz
spoke of the resolution of creating an independent and neutral Upper Silesian Republic. Representatives of all present parties founded the Silesian Commission with Hans Lukaschek from Centre Party as chairman. The commission had to implement the Upper Silesian Committee and "to direct and expand the separatist visions in Upper Silesia".
, Thomas Reginek, Jan Reginek and Fritz Wenske, that the Western allies would take the creation of an independent Upper Silesian state into consideration; Czechoslovakia supported this resolve. Jan Reginek, as representative of the Upper Silesian councils, requested recognition for the new status in Berlin
. However, among German authorities, only two politicians, Hugo Haase
and Helmuth von Gerlach, allowed for the independence of Upper Silesia. Priest Thomas Reginek made a journey to Poznań
, the seat of the Polish Head People's Council, where he attempted but failed to persuade Kazimierz Czapla (Upper Silesian member of the Polish authorities) to support Upper Silesian's independence. The next unsuccessful attempt to persuade the Germans was made by Thomas Reginek, Ewald Latacz
, and Werner (representative of Upper Silesian industrialists).
On December 19 and 20, 1918 the Upper Silesian Committee expanded the bilingual brochure "Appeal for the creation of an independent Upper Silesian free state" as a supplement to two popular newspapers of the Catholic Centre Party. There were 294 editions of "Oberschlesischer Kurier" in Chorzów
and 293 editions of "Oberschlesische Zeitung" in Bytom
, edited by brothers at the Wenske's edition office. On December 19, 1920 the Poles broke up a liberation meeting, organized by Ewald Latacz
in Rybnik
and held under the slogan "Upper Silesia for Upper Silesians". Organisers of the meeting were beaten up by sticks and aggressors transformed it into "Polish propaganda".
, priest Thomas Reginek, and teacher Jan Reginek), two members of the head authorities of the Upper Silesian structures of Centre Party (Germany)
(deputy Joseph Musiol
and lawyer Heinrich Skowronek from Bytom), a member of the local authorities of Social Democratic Party of Germany
in Tarnowskie Góry
(Hugo Kotulla), and a priest from the same town (Wiktor Durynek) who was probably unaffiliated with any political party. The organisation assembled members of the Catholic People's Party (Katholische Volkspartei) of Upper Silesia – a division of the German Centre Party
, the Upper Silesian division of Social Democratic Party of Germany
, the conservative environment of Polish-language newspaper Katolik (The Catholic) and nonparty. The political concept of the Union of Upper Silesians was grounded on two basic guidelines: first, existence of an "Upper Silesian nation", a separate, homogeneous Slavic-Germanic nation about mixed blood, which may not be divided by force into Poles and Germans, and second, geographic and economic indivisibility of the country. The first chairman of this organization was Thomas Reginek.
The political belief that Silesians
are a separate nation was not new in Prussian Upper Silesia
- it appeared on a wave of the Spring of Nations. In April 1849, painter and folk poet Jan Gajda published in the Polish-language newspaper Dziennik Górnośląski (Upper Silesian Journal) an appeal "To Upper Silesian people", in which he spoke that the times came when Silesians will be count "to enlightened nations" and appealed to the creation of the Silesian League, which had "to support Silesian nationality". He was not alone in this politics, because at the meetings of deputy Józef Szafranek there was chanted: "Let live Silesian nationality". From this time politics about national separations of Silesians and aspiring to create its own Silesian political organization, still came back in Prussian Upper Silesia and Austrian Silesia
too. These aspirations came forth as the Silesian People's Party
in Cieszyn Silesia
in 1909 and just the Union of Upper Silesians in Prussian Upper Silesia.
According to the decree of the president of the Regency of Opole from December 31, 1918, the postulate of creating an independent Upper Silesian Republic was presumed as high treason
by German authorities, which announced act about the state of emergency. Clause 96 of this act forbade public raising of the matter of the independence of Upper Silesia. Next, German authorities suspended activity of the Union of Upper Silesians and arrested its leaders. Ewald Latacz and Jan Reginek became Political prisoner
s, Joseph Musiol
was saved by immunity of Prussian parliament. Thomas Reginek escaped to Paris
, by Poznań
and with Polish passport by Berlin
. In Paris, the leader of the Polish National Party persuaded him that France
supported Polish demands to Upper Silesia
to never agree for the independence of this country.
Ewald Latacz, thanks to his wide connections among German politicians in Upper Silesia, was released from prison on probation in spring 1919, but was absolutely forbidden "verbal and written" announcements of the idea of Upper Silesia's independence. Against this prohibition, the leader of the Upper Silesians, published the anonime edited German-language brochure Oberschlesien auf Subhasta!, in which it premised the shrinking German majority at the time a plebiscite and showed the need for the creation of an independent Upper Silesian state with the argument that Upper Silesian nation is homogeneous people about mixed blood.
In spring 1919, the chairman of the Catholic People's Party (Katholische Volkspartei) of Upper Silesia – Carl Ulitzka, after international negotiations in Paris, London
and Rome
, rejected postulate of independence of Upper Silesia
as "utopia impossible to realisation". At the same time Ulitzka committed a campaign for preservation belonging Prussian Upper Silesia
in Germany
, but demanded exclusion of this country from Prussia
and transformation of it in autonomous free state of Germany
like Bavaria
. He was supported by four members of authorities Catholic People's Party, but two other members this authorities: Joseph Musiol
and Heinrich Skowronek, being head activists of the Union of Upper Silesians also, remained freedom fighters.
for the German delegation on June 16, 1919, Western allies decided to grant the southern part of Racibórz
county for Czechoslovakia
. Whereas about a future another Upper Silesian lands had to decide plebiscite between Poland
and Germany
. During summer 1919 the Union of Upper Silesians directed a petition to the Paris Peace Conference. There was criticism of the peace treaty because of the limitation of Upper Silesian plebiscite options to Poland and Germany. In the name of "many hundred thousands of Upper Silesians" the union demanded to change article 88 this treaty, that in Upper Silesian plebiscite would be "option of neutral free state". In the petition was written: "Upper Silesian nation in majority wish oneself indivisibility and independence of Upper Silesia". During the second half of 1919 in Upper Silesia
was activated an international coal commission of American – colonel Goodyear. Under the influence of this commission American diplomacy forced creation of a "coal and steel state" under international protection, including Upper Silesian Industrial Circle (Oberschlesische Industriebezirk) and Ostrava
-Karvina
basin in former Austrian Silesia
. Because of France's negative stance, finally the United States retired from the idea of a Silesian state. In Autumn 1919, the Reginek brothers accepted projected autonomy for all Silesian lands, which would be included into Poland
, left Union of Upper Silesians and joint to Polish Plebiscite Commission. At the time, the chairman of the Union of Upper Silesians was Ewald Latacz
, who cut out from Reginek brothers. His assistant was Joseph Musiol
.
went to Cieszyn
, where he took part in an assembly of the Silesian People's Party
and delegations of German parties, with the aim of the creation of an independent Silesian state, or autonomy in the Czechoslovak state. Because of the same mixed Slavic-Germanic Silesian people and similar industrial structure in Cieszyn Silesia
, its demands to unite with Prussian Upper Silesia
allowed Ewald Latacz
to think about an economically strong united Silesian state like Belgium
. During this assembly Józef Kożdoń
– chairman of Silesian People's Party
- gave advise to the chairman of the Union of Upper Silesians. In thanks for this advice, on March 17, 1920, editor Georg Cibis from Bytom
started edition, followed "Ślązak" (Silesian) - newspaper of Silesian People's Party
- example, bilingual weekly Der Bund – Związek (The Union), printed by Fritz Weske's edition office – Kurier GmbH in Chorzów
. Der Bund – Związek acted in solidarity with activity of Silesian People's Party
. In the article "Free Upper Silesian state midpoint of all world policy" was written: Upper Silesian people in large majority demand independence and indivisibility of their own country and connection with brothers in Austrian Silesia separated from it over 150 years ago. […] Upper Silesian people are strongly connected by few hundred of years commonwealth of life on a field of a culture and job, own-blood, homogeneous people of Slavic-Germanic origin almost 3 millions souls, from which 600,000 are in Austrian district.
was presented in this conference. In fact, the idea of an independent Upper Silesia
was supported majority among Upper Silesian industrialists. Union of Upper Silesians was financed by part of Upper Silesian Union of Mining-Iron and Steel Industrialists (Oberschlesische Berg- und Hüttenmännischen Verein) for example leader of this union Gustaw Williger – chairman of Kattowitzer AG für Bergbau- und Eisenhüttenbetrieb (Joint Stock Company of Katowice for Mining and Iron Industry) and Werner – the general manager works of Schaffgotsch. Among Upper Silesian nobility, creation of independent Upper Silesian state supported, next to Prince of Pless John Henry XV, Schaffgotsch, Ballestrem, Guidotto Henckel Prince von Donnersmarck and count John George von Praschma from Niemodlin
, prince Charles Maximilian von Lichnowsky from Racibórz
– later protectors Upper Silesian Unity (Oberschlesische Einheit), and too count Charles Friederick von Pückler, who on March 17 and 19, 1919, conduct negotiations in question of independence of all Silesia
from Germany
with Kurt Prescher – president Regency of Wrocław. Idea independence of Upper Silesia was supported by Upper Silesian Landed Union (Oberschlesische Landbund) with headquarter in Gliwice
, assembled 28,000 landowners. Main sponsor of the Union of Upper Silesians was Prince of Pless John Henry XV. He was supported this organization not only financial but on diplomatic way too. First by British ambassador in Prague
check supporting of the United Kingdom. Next by correspondence with British and Czech politicians. On April 1919 Prince of Pless John Henry XV was presented in Paris Peace Conference
to persuade Western allies to independence of Upper Silesia
. This idea was supported by British delegation, but against it protest French delegation. Upper Silesian idustrialists with Prince of Pless ahead gave proposal of independent "coal and steel state" for Wojciech Korfanty
. Also British prime minister David Lloyd George
, under influence Prince of Pless, guaranteed supporting for Upper Silesian Worker Republic for leader Silesian Poles, but Wojciech Korfanty
all these proposals rejected.
was place a conference of 68 assistants of the Union of Upper Silesians Związku Górnoślązaków-Bund der Oberschlesier. Assistants chose management of headquarter: chairman Joseph Musiol
from Bytom, secretary Hugo Kotulla from Tarnowskie Góry
and two aldermen Mathonia from Bytom and Maczinga from Mikulczyce (today district of Zabrze
). November 17, 1920 in a rooms of Catholic Trade Union in Bytom was place second conference of 300 representants of the Union of the Upper Silesians, reprezented 175 local groups of this organization in the time couts about 300,000 members. The conference led Ewald Latacz
from Wodzisław Śląski, Joseph Musiol
from Bytom, priest Wiktor Durynek from Tarnowskie Góry
and Hubert Kraft count Strachwitz from Lądek Zdrój. There was established that Upper Silesian national symbol and eventually the national emblem of Upper Silesian Republic will be coat of arms of Upper Silesian line of Piast dynasty – golden eagle on blue shield, which by decision of this conference, was placed into headlines of its weekly bilingual newspaper Der Bund – Związek, with a circulation of 20,000 copies as of 1920, 40,000 copies as of winter 1921 and few hundred thousands copies as of 1921. The organisation was the most influential Silesian organisation of its time; in February 1921 it had 198 local chapters with 400,000 members. On autumn 1920 editor Georg Cibis retired from Union of Upper Silesians to German Plebiscite Commission. New editor of Der Bund – Związek was priest Wiktor Durynek.
with 59,6% votes. Ewald Latacz
preminited emergencies and edited an appeal: Upper Silesians!! Upper Silesia stay undivided! […] Who want to chop to pieces our country, he think that economic to kill us with intention to inherit something after us. But we want to live my żyć. We Polish-language and German-languague Upper Silesians want to live together with agreement and peace and we want to lead our country to prosperity. And this is possible only when Upper Silesia will individed. Otherwise we demand a plebiscite, or Upper Silesia would be divided or not […] Korfanty answered, that himself plan of dividing up he'll be defend to last drop of blood. Uppersilesians we warn you. You don't let to change our homeland in a desert. If it would be bloodshed, it would not Upper Silesian blood and not in Upper Silesia. Upper Silesians don't let us to use for terroristic acts. Every terror need to nip in the bud. Upper Silesians let's remember that we are homogeneous, fraternal nation. Let's shake hands with ourself, let's leave a peace and we'll range free and individed Upper Silesia. (…) In the time council of coalition will know that one dissolving of Upper Silesian question is neutralization of disputable seat. Then we'll celebrate our resurrection as free citizens in Free Upper Silesian State.
On May 2, 1921 broke out third Polish uprising in Upper Silesia (in Polish literature: Third Silesian Uprising), which was blooded civil war. In the time of this war all uprising commanders demand "proclamation of sovereign Silesian state" from Wojciech Korfanty
., but he rejected this demands. The only consequence of this war was dividing up of Upper Silesia, more proftable for Poland, than results of the plebiscite. In the time in every number of weekly Der Bund – Związek was the information printed in large and bold type: "everybody second Upper Silesian is open or hidden member of the Union of Upper Silesians". According to data this organization, on autumn 1921 it counted about 500,000 members.
On April 1921 Joseph Musiol
, Heinrich Skowronek and Wiktor Durynek, referring to big mix of the votes, demand independence of Upper Silesia. In them negotiations with authorities of Poland mediated Adam Napieralski. Later Ewald Latacz
lead conversations with head German politicians, September 4, 1921 with Interior Minister of Germany
- Georg Gradnauer and next with chancellor of Germany
– Joseph Wirth
.
and architect Bruno Petzel – former member of Polish Head People's Council. On December 4, 1921 in the time assembly of the Union of Upper Silesians in Chorzów
, Ewald Latacz
resigned from leading of this organisation and retired from politics. His function took deputy Joseph Musiol
. In consequence sudden cut out sponsoring of the Union of Upper Silesians by Upper Silesian industrialists, from March 1922 weekly Der Bund – Związek was edited irregularly and two months later edition was over, but even last numbers nawet in May spread in 40,000 copies.
On November 1922 Heinrich Skowronek in the time of the election to regional assembly of Upper Silesian Province (Provinziallandtag) show own election list. In the place of good known name: Union of Upper Silesians, gave new name: Upper Silesian Catholic People's Party . Creation Catholic party of Silesian nationality in opposition to Catholic parties of German and Poles wasn't bad idea, but without known name of organizations, nable leaders, own newspaper, rich sponsors it can't successful. Joseph Musiol
even didn't start in this election. The list had almost no supporters and his candidates came back to Catholic People's Party – Centre Party (Germany)
.
After election on November 1922. Adam Napieralski – editor Polish-language newspaper Katolik (The Catholic) founded law defence office, which activity was defence Polish-language Upper Silesians in German part of Upper Silesia. Manager of this office was Joseph Musiol
– chairman of the Union of Upper Silesians and former deputy of Prussian parliament, who just lost his seat. He represented there Catholic People's Party – division of Centre Party (Germany)
, from which was rejected on April 1921, because his freedom activity. Joseph Musiol
sent questionnaires in question discrimination of Polish-language Upper Silesians in covers with overprint "Union of Upper Silesians". He was chairman this organization to 1924, when was self-desolved.
In spite of the breakdown of the Union of Upper Silesians idea Upper Silesian nation and independence of Upper Silesia not dead. In 1925 president of police in Gliwice
informed president of Province Upper Silesia – Alfons Proske, that idea of free state is still alive in German Upper Silesia. In borders of Poland
former activists of the Union of Upper Silesians came back into political parties. Mainly into Catholic People's Party , which stay on stance, that it represents Germans and "German-disposed Silesians" in Autonomous Silesian Voivodeship
, accenting known slogan freedom fighters: "Upper Silesia for Upper Silesians". Identical slogan announced Union of Upper Silesians Defence, founded in 1925 by former Polish activists with Jan Kustos
as chairman. "Right of Upper Silesia to self-standing" announced Communist Party of Upper Silesia too.
After World War II
, Carl Ulitzka, Karl Schodrok and Adolf Kaschny gave idea to change Silesia
into "East-European Switzerland
". In the 1990s was activated Union of Upper Silesians in Opole
. Since 2008 active Silesian Separatistic Movement, which refer to the tradition of Ewald Latacz
's organisation. Union People of Silesian Nationality founded in 1996 by activists of Silesian Autonomy Movement
refer to activity of the historical Union of Upper Silesians too.
Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia is the southeastern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia. Since the 9th century, Upper Silesia has been part of Greater Moravia, the Duchy of Bohemia, the Piast Kingdom of Poland, again of the Lands of the Bohemian Crown and the Holy Roman Empire, as well as of...
. The lands of Prussian Upper Silesia and Austrian Silesia
Austrian Silesia
Austrian Silesia , officially the Duchy of Upper and Lower Silesia was an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Bohemia and the Austrian Empire, from 1867 a Cisleithanian crown land of Austria-Hungary...
, which existed from January 1919 to 1924 within the borders of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, then in the borders of the international plebiscite territory, constituted Upper Silesia.
Genesis
The movement was founded by the secret Upper Silesian Committee , started on November 27, 1918 in RybnikRybnik
Rybnik is a city in southern Poland, in the Silesian Voivodeship. Rybnik is located close to the border with the Czech Republic and just outside the southern border of the largest urban area in Poland, the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union...
by three Catholic politicians: Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz was Silesian politician, doctor of law, lawyer in Racibórz since 1913 and Wodzisław Śląski, chairman of Workers Council in Wodzisław Śląski and co-founder secret Upper Silesian Committee in 1918, civil law notary since 1919, co-founder and leader Union of Upper Silesians in the period...
, the chairman of Workers Council in Wodzisław Śląski as well as lawyer, and civil law notary, Thomas Reginek, a priest from Mikulczyce (today the district of Zabrze
Zabrze
Zabrze is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. The west district of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union is a metropolis with a population of around 2 million...
), and teacher Jan Reginek, chairman of Workers' and Soldiers' Council in Racibórz
Racibórz
Racibórz is a town in southern Poland with 60,218 inhabitants situated in the Silesian Voivodeship , previously in Katowice Voivodeship...
. The Upper Silesian Committee in Rybnik
Rybnik
Rybnik is a city in southern Poland, in the Silesian Voivodeship. Rybnik is located close to the border with the Czech Republic and just outside the southern border of the largest urban area in Poland, the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union...
demanded "independent political stance" from Poland, Czechoslovakia and Germany
Weimar Republic
The Weimar Republic is the name given by historians to the parliamentary republic established in 1919 in Germany to replace the imperial form of government...
and guaranteed neutrality similar to that found in countries such as Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
and Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. The committee had no structures and no political program. On December 5, 1918, a German-language brochure titled "Upper Silesia – independent/autonomous free state" ("Oberschlesien – ein Selbständiger Freistaat") was published by the Committee for the Creation of the Upper Silesian Free State in Katowice and was probably written by priest Thomas Reginek. The brochure was a secret Upper Silesian Committee appeal to Silesians
Silesians
Silesians , are the inhabitants of Silesia in Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic. A small diaspora community also exists in Karnes County, Texas in the USA....
to take the lead in political, economic, and social questions, as well as to create an independent state like Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, in which all language groups would be equal in rights. The author predicted that incorporation of Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia is the southeastern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia. Since the 9th century, Upper Silesia has been part of Greater Moravia, the Duchy of Bohemia, the Piast Kingdom of Poland, again of the Lands of the Bohemian Crown and the Holy Roman Empire, as well as of...
into Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
would be an economic catastrophe for the land, stating that it would be only "a source of incomes and taxes" for the Polish state, and that Silesians would be treated as "second category citizens" by officials from Poland.
Conference in Kędzierzyn
On December 9, 1918 in KędzierzynKedzierzyn-Kozle
Kędzierzyn-Koźle is the capital city of Kędzierzyn-Koźle County, Silesia, Poland. Kędzierzyn-Koźle is a place of a major river port, has rail connections with all major cities of Poland and serves western outskirts of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union....
a conference of all political parties in Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia is the southeastern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia. Since the 9th century, Upper Silesia has been part of Greater Moravia, the Duchy of Bohemia, the Piast Kingdom of Poland, again of the Lands of the Bohemian Crown and the Holy Roman Empire, as well as of...
was held, organized by Carl Ulitzka, the leader of the Upper Silesian structures of the Catholic Centre Party (Germany)
Centre Party (Germany)
The German Centre Party was a Catholic political party in Germany during the Kaiserreich and the Weimar Republic. Formed in 1870, it battled the Kulturkampf which the Prussian government launched to reduce the power of the Catholic Church...
. The leaders of Upper Silesian communists (KPOS), Independent Social Democratic Party of Germany
Independent Social Democratic Party of Germany
The Independent Social Democratic Party of Germany was a short-lived political party in Germany during the Second Reich and the Weimar Republic. The organization was established in 1917 as the result of a split of left wing members of the Social Democratic Party of Germany...
(USPD), and the radical Polish camp of Wojciech Korfanty
Wojciech Korfanty
Wojciech Korfanty , born Adalbert Korfanty, was a Polish nationalist activist, journalist and politician, serving as member of the German parliaments Reichstag and Prussian Landtag, and later on, in the Polish Sejm...
did not attend the conference. So the slogan "all parties" was pronounced political spectrum from German social-democrats (SPD
Social Democratic Party of Germany
The Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
), across Protestant conservatists (DNVP) and liberals (DDP), to Centre Party and conservative environment of Polish-language newspaper Katolik (The Catholic) – Poles
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
from Adam Napieralski and Silesians
Silesians
Silesians , are the inhabitants of Silesia in Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic. A small diaspora community also exists in Karnes County, Texas in the USA....
from Johannes Kapitza. In this conference the leader of the Upper Silesian Committee, Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz was Silesian politician, doctor of law, lawyer in Racibórz since 1913 and Wodzisław Śląski, chairman of Workers Council in Wodzisław Śląski and co-founder secret Upper Silesian Committee in 1918, civil law notary since 1919, co-founder and leader Union of Upper Silesians in the period...
spoke of the resolution of creating an independent and neutral Upper Silesian Republic. Representatives of all present parties founded the Silesian Commission with Hans Lukaschek from Centre Party as chairman. The commission had to implement the Upper Silesian Committee and "to direct and expand the separatist visions in Upper Silesia".
Negotiations with neighbours
In December leaders of the Upper Silesian Committee, Górnośląskiego, made journeys to sound out the stance of Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Germany on the question of Upper Silesian independence. Only authorities in Prague, after consultation with the Western allies, informed the representatives of the Upper Silesian Committee, Ewald LataczEwald Latacz
Ewald Latacz was Silesian politician, doctor of law, lawyer in Racibórz since 1913 and Wodzisław Śląski, chairman of Workers Council in Wodzisław Śląski and co-founder secret Upper Silesian Committee in 1918, civil law notary since 1919, co-founder and leader Union of Upper Silesians in the period...
, Thomas Reginek, Jan Reginek and Fritz Wenske, that the Western allies would take the creation of an independent Upper Silesian state into consideration; Czechoslovakia supported this resolve. Jan Reginek, as representative of the Upper Silesian councils, requested recognition for the new status in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. However, among German authorities, only two politicians, Hugo Haase
Hugo Haase
Hugo Haase was a German politician, jurist and pacifist.-Biography:Haase was born in Allenstein , Province of Prussia, the son of Jewish shoemaker and small businessman, Nathan Haase, and Pauline née Anker. He studied law in Königsberg and established himself as a lawyer...
and Helmuth von Gerlach, allowed for the independence of Upper Silesia. Priest Thomas Reginek made a journey to Poznań
Poznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
, the seat of the Polish Head People's Council, where he attempted but failed to persuade Kazimierz Czapla (Upper Silesian member of the Polish authorities) to support Upper Silesian's independence. The next unsuccessful attempt to persuade the Germans was made by Thomas Reginek, Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz was Silesian politician, doctor of law, lawyer in Racibórz since 1913 and Wodzisław Śląski, chairman of Workers Council in Wodzisław Śląski and co-founder secret Upper Silesian Committee in 1918, civil law notary since 1919, co-founder and leader Union of Upper Silesians in the period...
, and Werner (representative of Upper Silesian industrialists).
On December 19 and 20, 1918 the Upper Silesian Committee expanded the bilingual brochure "Appeal for the creation of an independent Upper Silesian free state" as a supplement to two popular newspapers of the Catholic Centre Party. There were 294 editions of "Oberschlesischer Kurier" in Chorzów
Chorzów
Chorzów is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. Chorzów is one of the central districts of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - a metropolis with a population of 2 million...
and 293 editions of "Oberschlesische Zeitung" in Bytom
Bytom
Bytom is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. The central-western district of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - metropolis with the population of 2 millions. Bytom is located in the Silesian Highlands, on the Bytomka river .The city belongs to the Silesian Voivodeship since...
, edited by brothers at the Wenske's edition office. On December 19, 1920 the Poles broke up a liberation meeting, organized by Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz was Silesian politician, doctor of law, lawyer in Racibórz since 1913 and Wodzisław Śląski, chairman of Workers Council in Wodzisław Śląski and co-founder secret Upper Silesian Committee in 1918, civil law notary since 1919, co-founder and leader Union of Upper Silesians in the period...
in Rybnik
Rybnik
Rybnik is a city in southern Poland, in the Silesian Voivodeship. Rybnik is located close to the border with the Czech Republic and just outside the southern border of the largest urban area in Poland, the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union...
and held under the slogan "Upper Silesia for Upper Silesians". Organisers of the meeting were beaten up by sticks and aggressors transformed it into "Polish propaganda".
Activity
The Union of Upper Silesians was founded in January 1919 by three leaders of the Upper Silesian Committee (lawyer Ewald LataczEwald Latacz
Ewald Latacz was Silesian politician, doctor of law, lawyer in Racibórz since 1913 and Wodzisław Śląski, chairman of Workers Council in Wodzisław Śląski and co-founder secret Upper Silesian Committee in 1918, civil law notary since 1919, co-founder and leader Union of Upper Silesians in the period...
, priest Thomas Reginek, and teacher Jan Reginek), two members of the head authorities of the Upper Silesian structures of Centre Party (Germany)
Centre Party (Germany)
The German Centre Party was a Catholic political party in Germany during the Kaiserreich and the Weimar Republic. Formed in 1870, it battled the Kulturkampf which the Prussian government launched to reduce the power of the Catholic Church...
(deputy Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol was a Silesian politician. He served as secretary of the Catholic Trade Union, as a member of the town council in Bytom, and as leader of a local group in Bytom...
and lawyer Heinrich Skowronek from Bytom), a member of the local authorities of Social Democratic Party of Germany
Social Democratic Party of Germany
The Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
in Tarnowskie Góry
Tarnowskie Góry
Tarnowskie Góry is a town in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. Borders on the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - metropolis with the population of 2 millions. Located in the Silesian Highlands....
(Hugo Kotulla), and a priest from the same town (Wiktor Durynek) who was probably unaffiliated with any political party. The organisation assembled members of the Catholic People's Party (Katholische Volkspartei) of Upper Silesia – a division of the German Centre Party
Centre Party (Germany)
The German Centre Party was a Catholic political party in Germany during the Kaiserreich and the Weimar Republic. Formed in 1870, it battled the Kulturkampf which the Prussian government launched to reduce the power of the Catholic Church...
, the Upper Silesian division of Social Democratic Party of Germany
Social Democratic Party of Germany
The Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
, the conservative environment of Polish-language newspaper Katolik (The Catholic) and nonparty. The political concept of the Union of Upper Silesians was grounded on two basic guidelines: first, existence of an "Upper Silesian nation", a separate, homogeneous Slavic-Germanic nation about mixed blood, which may not be divided by force into Poles and Germans, and second, geographic and economic indivisibility of the country. The first chairman of this organization was Thomas Reginek.
The political belief that Silesians
Silesians
Silesians , are the inhabitants of Silesia in Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic. A small diaspora community also exists in Karnes County, Texas in the USA....
are a separate nation was not new in Prussian Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia is the southeastern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia. Since the 9th century, Upper Silesia has been part of Greater Moravia, the Duchy of Bohemia, the Piast Kingdom of Poland, again of the Lands of the Bohemian Crown and the Holy Roman Empire, as well as of...
- it appeared on a wave of the Spring of Nations. In April 1849, painter and folk poet Jan Gajda published in the Polish-language newspaper Dziennik Górnośląski (Upper Silesian Journal) an appeal "To Upper Silesian people", in which he spoke that the times came when Silesians will be count "to enlightened nations" and appealed to the creation of the Silesian League, which had "to support Silesian nationality". He was not alone in this politics, because at the meetings of deputy Józef Szafranek there was chanted: "Let live Silesian nationality". From this time politics about national separations of Silesians and aspiring to create its own Silesian political organization, still came back in Prussian Upper Silesia and Austrian Silesia
Austrian Silesia
Austrian Silesia , officially the Duchy of Upper and Lower Silesia was an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Bohemia and the Austrian Empire, from 1867 a Cisleithanian crown land of Austria-Hungary...
too. These aspirations came forth as the Silesian People's Party
Silesian People's Party
The Silesian People’s Party was a political organization in Cieszyn Silesia that existed from 1909 to 1938 in Austrian Silesia, which later became international plebiscite territory and finally part of Czechoslovakia. The party included mainly Slavic people, who saw themselves as members of a...
in Cieszyn Silesia
Cieszyn Silesia
Cieszyn Silesia or Těšín Silesia or Teschen Silesia is a historical region in south-eastern Silesia, centered around the towns of Cieszyn and Český Těšín and bisected by the Olza River. Since 1920 it has been divided between Poland and Czechoslovakia, and later the Czech Republic...
in 1909 and just the Union of Upper Silesians in Prussian Upper Silesia.
According to the decree of the president of the Regency of Opole from December 31, 1918, the postulate of creating an independent Upper Silesian Republic was presumed as high treason
High treason
High treason is criminal disloyalty to one's government. Participating in a war against one's native country, attempting to overthrow its government, spying on its military, its diplomats, or its secret services for a hostile and foreign power, or attempting to kill its head of state are perhaps...
by German authorities, which announced act about the state of emergency. Clause 96 of this act forbade public raising of the matter of the independence of Upper Silesia. Next, German authorities suspended activity of the Union of Upper Silesians and arrested its leaders. Ewald Latacz and Jan Reginek became Political prisoner
Political prisoner
According to the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, a political prisoner is ‘someone who is in prison because they have opposed or criticized the government of their own country’....
s, Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol was a Silesian politician. He served as secretary of the Catholic Trade Union, as a member of the town council in Bytom, and as leader of a local group in Bytom...
was saved by immunity of Prussian parliament. Thomas Reginek escaped to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, by Poznań
Poznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
and with Polish passport by Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. In Paris, the leader of the Polish National Party persuaded him that France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
supported Polish demands to Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia is the southeastern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia. Since the 9th century, Upper Silesia has been part of Greater Moravia, the Duchy of Bohemia, the Piast Kingdom of Poland, again of the Lands of the Bohemian Crown and the Holy Roman Empire, as well as of...
to never agree for the independence of this country.
Ewald Latacz, thanks to his wide connections among German politicians in Upper Silesia, was released from prison on probation in spring 1919, but was absolutely forbidden "verbal and written" announcements of the idea of Upper Silesia's independence. Against this prohibition, the leader of the Upper Silesians, published the anonime edited German-language brochure Oberschlesien auf Subhasta!, in which it premised the shrinking German majority at the time a plebiscite and showed the need for the creation of an independent Upper Silesian state with the argument that Upper Silesian nation is homogeneous people about mixed blood.
In spring 1919, the chairman of the Catholic People's Party (Katholische Volkspartei) of Upper Silesia – Carl Ulitzka, after international negotiations in Paris, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, rejected postulate of independence of Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia is the southeastern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia. Since the 9th century, Upper Silesia has been part of Greater Moravia, the Duchy of Bohemia, the Piast Kingdom of Poland, again of the Lands of the Bohemian Crown and the Holy Roman Empire, as well as of...
as "utopia impossible to realisation". At the same time Ulitzka committed a campaign for preservation belonging Prussian Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia is the southeastern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia. Since the 9th century, Upper Silesia has been part of Greater Moravia, the Duchy of Bohemia, the Piast Kingdom of Poland, again of the Lands of the Bohemian Crown and the Holy Roman Empire, as well as of...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, but demanded exclusion of this country from Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
and transformation of it in autonomous free state of Germany
States of Germany
Germany is made up of sixteen which are partly sovereign constituent states of the Federal Republic of Germany. Land literally translates as "country", and constitutionally speaking, they are constituent countries...
like Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
. He was supported by four members of authorities Catholic People's Party, but two other members this authorities: Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol was a Silesian politician. He served as secretary of the Catholic Trade Union, as a member of the town council in Bytom, and as leader of a local group in Bytom...
and Heinrich Skowronek, being head activists of the Union of Upper Silesians also, remained freedom fighters.
Under wings of Western Allies
In the final peace conditions passed during the Paris Peace ConferenceParis Peace Conference, 1919
The Paris Peace Conference was the meeting of the Allied victors following the end of World War I to set the peace terms for the defeated Central Powers following the armistices of 1918. It took place in Paris in 1919 and involved diplomats from more than 32 countries and nationalities...
for the German delegation on June 16, 1919, Western allies decided to grant the southern part of Racibórz
Racibórz
Racibórz is a town in southern Poland with 60,218 inhabitants situated in the Silesian Voivodeship , previously in Katowice Voivodeship...
county for Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
. Whereas about a future another Upper Silesian lands had to decide plebiscite between Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. During summer 1919 the Union of Upper Silesians directed a petition to the Paris Peace Conference. There was criticism of the peace treaty because of the limitation of Upper Silesian plebiscite options to Poland and Germany. In the name of "many hundred thousands of Upper Silesians" the union demanded to change article 88 this treaty, that in Upper Silesian plebiscite would be "option of neutral free state". In the petition was written: "Upper Silesian nation in majority wish oneself indivisibility and independence of Upper Silesia". During the second half of 1919 in Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia is the southeastern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia. Since the 9th century, Upper Silesia has been part of Greater Moravia, the Duchy of Bohemia, the Piast Kingdom of Poland, again of the Lands of the Bohemian Crown and the Holy Roman Empire, as well as of...
was activated an international coal commission of American – colonel Goodyear. Under the influence of this commission American diplomacy forced creation of a "coal and steel state" under international protection, including Upper Silesian Industrial Circle (Oberschlesische Industriebezirk) and Ostrava
Ostrava
Ostrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague. Located close to the Polish border, it is also the administrative center of the Moravian-Silesian Region and of the Municipality with Extended Competence. Ostrava was candidate for the...
-Karvina
Karviná
Karviná is a city in Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic, on the Olza River. It is administrative center of Karviná District. Karviná lies in the historical region of Cieszyn Silesia and is one of the most important coal mining centers in the Czech Republic. Together with neighboring...
basin in former Austrian Silesia
Austrian Silesia
Austrian Silesia , officially the Duchy of Upper and Lower Silesia was an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Bohemia and the Austrian Empire, from 1867 a Cisleithanian crown land of Austria-Hungary...
. Because of France's negative stance, finally the United States retired from the idea of a Silesian state. In Autumn 1919, the Reginek brothers accepted projected autonomy for all Silesian lands, which would be included into Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, left Union of Upper Silesians and joint to Polish Plebiscite Commission. At the time, the chairman of the Union of Upper Silesians was Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz was Silesian politician, doctor of law, lawyer in Racibórz since 1913 and Wodzisław Śląski, chairman of Workers Council in Wodzisław Śląski and co-founder secret Upper Silesian Committee in 1918, civil law notary since 1919, co-founder and leader Union of Upper Silesians in the period...
, who cut out from Reginek brothers. His assistant was Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol was a Silesian politician. He served as secretary of the Catholic Trade Union, as a member of the town council in Bytom, and as leader of a local group in Bytom...
.
Cooperation with Silesian People's Party
In the winter of 1920, Ewald LataczEwald Latacz
Ewald Latacz was Silesian politician, doctor of law, lawyer in Racibórz since 1913 and Wodzisław Śląski, chairman of Workers Council in Wodzisław Śląski and co-founder secret Upper Silesian Committee in 1918, civil law notary since 1919, co-founder and leader Union of Upper Silesians in the period...
went to Cieszyn
Cieszyn
Cieszyn is a border-town and the seat of Cieszyn County, Silesian Voivodeship, southern Poland. It has 36,109 inhabitants . Cieszyn lies on the Olza River, a tributary of the Oder river, opposite Český Těšín....
, where he took part in an assembly of the Silesian People's Party
Silesian People's Party
The Silesian People’s Party was a political organization in Cieszyn Silesia that existed from 1909 to 1938 in Austrian Silesia, which later became international plebiscite territory and finally part of Czechoslovakia. The party included mainly Slavic people, who saw themselves as members of a...
and delegations of German parties, with the aim of the creation of an independent Silesian state, or autonomy in the Czechoslovak state. Because of the same mixed Slavic-Germanic Silesian people and similar industrial structure in Cieszyn Silesia
Cieszyn Silesia
Cieszyn Silesia or Těšín Silesia or Teschen Silesia is a historical region in south-eastern Silesia, centered around the towns of Cieszyn and Český Těšín and bisected by the Olza River. Since 1920 it has been divided between Poland and Czechoslovakia, and later the Czech Republic...
, its demands to unite with Prussian Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia is the southeastern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia. Since the 9th century, Upper Silesia has been part of Greater Moravia, the Duchy of Bohemia, the Piast Kingdom of Poland, again of the Lands of the Bohemian Crown and the Holy Roman Empire, as well as of...
allowed Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz was Silesian politician, doctor of law, lawyer in Racibórz since 1913 and Wodzisław Śląski, chairman of Workers Council in Wodzisław Śląski and co-founder secret Upper Silesian Committee in 1918, civil law notary since 1919, co-founder and leader Union of Upper Silesians in the period...
to think about an economically strong united Silesian state like Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. During this assembly Józef Kożdoń
Józef Kożdoń
Józef Kożdoń was Silesian autonomist politician.-Biography:...
– chairman of Silesian People's Party
Silesian People's Party
The Silesian People’s Party was a political organization in Cieszyn Silesia that existed from 1909 to 1938 in Austrian Silesia, which later became international plebiscite territory and finally part of Czechoslovakia. The party included mainly Slavic people, who saw themselves as members of a...
- gave advise to the chairman of the Union of Upper Silesians. In thanks for this advice, on March 17, 1920, editor Georg Cibis from Bytom
Bytom
Bytom is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. The central-western district of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - metropolis with the population of 2 millions. Bytom is located in the Silesian Highlands, on the Bytomka river .The city belongs to the Silesian Voivodeship since...
started edition, followed "Ślązak" (Silesian) - newspaper of Silesian People's Party
Silesian People's Party
The Silesian People’s Party was a political organization in Cieszyn Silesia that existed from 1909 to 1938 in Austrian Silesia, which later became international plebiscite territory and finally part of Czechoslovakia. The party included mainly Slavic people, who saw themselves as members of a...
- example, bilingual weekly Der Bund – Związek (The Union), printed by Fritz Weske's edition office – Kurier GmbH in Chorzów
Chorzów
Chorzów is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. Chorzów is one of the central districts of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - a metropolis with a population of 2 million...
. Der Bund – Związek acted in solidarity with activity of Silesian People's Party
Silesian People's Party
The Silesian People’s Party was a political organization in Cieszyn Silesia that existed from 1909 to 1938 in Austrian Silesia, which later became international plebiscite territory and finally part of Czechoslovakia. The party included mainly Slavic people, who saw themselves as members of a...
. In the article "Free Upper Silesian state midpoint of all world policy" was written: Upper Silesian people in large majority demand independence and indivisibility of their own country and connection with brothers in Austrian Silesia separated from it over 150 years ago. […] Upper Silesian people are strongly connected by few hundred of years commonwealth of life on a field of a culture and job, own-blood, homogeneous people of Slavic-Germanic origin almost 3 millions souls, from which 600,000 are in Austrian district.
Protectors of freedom fighters
There are hypotheses, that idea creation of independent Upper Silesian state births in head of John Henry XV Count Hochberg Prince of Pless and was announced in the time conference of Upper Silesian industrials, which took the place in his palace. According to these hypotheses, Ewald LataczEwald Latacz
Ewald Latacz was Silesian politician, doctor of law, lawyer in Racibórz since 1913 and Wodzisław Śląski, chairman of Workers Council in Wodzisław Śląski and co-founder secret Upper Silesian Committee in 1918, civil law notary since 1919, co-founder and leader Union of Upper Silesians in the period...
was presented in this conference. In fact, the idea of an independent Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia is the southeastern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia. Since the 9th century, Upper Silesia has been part of Greater Moravia, the Duchy of Bohemia, the Piast Kingdom of Poland, again of the Lands of the Bohemian Crown and the Holy Roman Empire, as well as of...
was supported majority among Upper Silesian industrialists. Union of Upper Silesians was financed by part of Upper Silesian Union of Mining-Iron and Steel Industrialists (Oberschlesische Berg- und Hüttenmännischen Verein) for example leader of this union Gustaw Williger – chairman of Kattowitzer AG für Bergbau- und Eisenhüttenbetrieb (Joint Stock Company of Katowice for Mining and Iron Industry) and Werner – the general manager works of Schaffgotsch. Among Upper Silesian nobility, creation of independent Upper Silesian state supported, next to Prince of Pless John Henry XV, Schaffgotsch, Ballestrem, Guidotto Henckel Prince von Donnersmarck and count John George von Praschma from Niemodlin
Niemodlin
Niemodlin is a town in Opole County, Opole Voivodeship, Poland, with 6,911 inhabitants .It was first mentioned as Nemodlin in a 1224 deed and received town privileges in 1283. Originally a part of the Duchy of Opole, after the death of Duke Bolko I Niemodlin became the capital of a duchy in his...
, prince Charles Maximilian von Lichnowsky from Racibórz
Racibórz
Racibórz is a town in southern Poland with 60,218 inhabitants situated in the Silesian Voivodeship , previously in Katowice Voivodeship...
– later protectors Upper Silesian Unity (Oberschlesische Einheit), and too count Charles Friederick von Pückler, who on March 17 and 19, 1919, conduct negotiations in question of independence of all Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
from Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
with Kurt Prescher – president Regency of Wrocław. Idea independence of Upper Silesia was supported by Upper Silesian Landed Union (Oberschlesische Landbund) with headquarter in Gliwice
Gliwice
Gliwice is a city in Upper Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. Gliwice is the west district of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union – a metropolis with a population of 2 million...
, assembled 28,000 landowners. Main sponsor of the Union of Upper Silesians was Prince of Pless John Henry XV. He was supported this organization not only financial but on diplomatic way too. First by British ambassador in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
check supporting of the United Kingdom. Next by correspondence with British and Czech politicians. On April 1919 Prince of Pless John Henry XV was presented in Paris Peace Conference
Paris Peace Conference, 1919
The Paris Peace Conference was the meeting of the Allied victors following the end of World War I to set the peace terms for the defeated Central Powers following the armistices of 1918. It took place in Paris in 1919 and involved diplomats from more than 32 countries and nationalities...
to persuade Western allies to independence of Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia is the southeastern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia. Since the 9th century, Upper Silesia has been part of Greater Moravia, the Duchy of Bohemia, the Piast Kingdom of Poland, again of the Lands of the Bohemian Crown and the Holy Roman Empire, as well as of...
. This idea was supported by British delegation, but against it protest French delegation. Upper Silesian idustrialists with Prince of Pless ahead gave proposal of independent "coal and steel state" for Wojciech Korfanty
Wojciech Korfanty
Wojciech Korfanty , born Adalbert Korfanty, was a Polish nationalist activist, journalist and politician, serving as member of the German parliaments Reichstag and Prussian Landtag, and later on, in the Polish Sejm...
. Also British prime minister David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor OM, PC was a British Liberal politician and statesman...
, under influence Prince of Pless, guaranteed supporting for Upper Silesian Worker Republic for leader Silesian Poles, but Wojciech Korfanty
Wojciech Korfanty
Wojciech Korfanty , born Adalbert Korfanty, was a Polish nationalist activist, journalist and politician, serving as member of the German parliaments Reichstag and Prussian Landtag, and later on, in the Polish Sejm...
all these proposals rejected.
Expansion of the freedom fighters structures
On August 18, 1920 in headquarter of the union in BytomBytom
Bytom is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. The central-western district of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - metropolis with the population of 2 millions. Bytom is located in the Silesian Highlands, on the Bytomka river .The city belongs to the Silesian Voivodeship since...
was place a conference of 68 assistants of the Union of Upper Silesians Związku Górnoślązaków-Bund der Oberschlesier. Assistants chose management of headquarter: chairman Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol was a Silesian politician. He served as secretary of the Catholic Trade Union, as a member of the town council in Bytom, and as leader of a local group in Bytom...
from Bytom, secretary Hugo Kotulla from Tarnowskie Góry
Tarnowskie Góry
Tarnowskie Góry is a town in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. Borders on the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - metropolis with the population of 2 millions. Located in the Silesian Highlands....
and two aldermen Mathonia from Bytom and Maczinga from Mikulczyce (today district of Zabrze
Zabrze
Zabrze is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. The west district of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union is a metropolis with a population of around 2 million...
). November 17, 1920 in a rooms of Catholic Trade Union in Bytom was place second conference of 300 representants of the Union of the Upper Silesians, reprezented 175 local groups of this organization in the time couts about 300,000 members. The conference led Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz was Silesian politician, doctor of law, lawyer in Racibórz since 1913 and Wodzisław Śląski, chairman of Workers Council in Wodzisław Śląski and co-founder secret Upper Silesian Committee in 1918, civil law notary since 1919, co-founder and leader Union of Upper Silesians in the period...
from Wodzisław Śląski, Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol was a Silesian politician. He served as secretary of the Catholic Trade Union, as a member of the town council in Bytom, and as leader of a local group in Bytom...
from Bytom, priest Wiktor Durynek from Tarnowskie Góry
Tarnowskie Góry
Tarnowskie Góry is a town in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. Borders on the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - metropolis with the population of 2 millions. Located in the Silesian Highlands....
and Hubert Kraft count Strachwitz from Lądek Zdrój. There was established that Upper Silesian national symbol and eventually the national emblem of Upper Silesian Republic will be coat of arms of Upper Silesian line of Piast dynasty – golden eagle on blue shield, which by decision of this conference, was placed into headlines of its weekly bilingual newspaper Der Bund – Związek, with a circulation of 20,000 copies as of 1920, 40,000 copies as of winter 1921 and few hundred thousands copies as of 1921. The organisation was the most influential Silesian organisation of its time; in February 1921 it had 198 local chapters with 400,000 members. On autumn 1920 editor Georg Cibis retired from Union of Upper Silesians to German Plebiscite Commission. New editor of Der Bund – Związek was priest Wiktor Durynek.
After the plebiscite
The Plebiscite na March 20, 1921 won GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
with 59,6% votes. Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz was Silesian politician, doctor of law, lawyer in Racibórz since 1913 and Wodzisław Śląski, chairman of Workers Council in Wodzisław Śląski and co-founder secret Upper Silesian Committee in 1918, civil law notary since 1919, co-founder and leader Union of Upper Silesians in the period...
preminited emergencies and edited an appeal: Upper Silesians!! Upper Silesia stay undivided! […] Who want to chop to pieces our country, he think that economic to kill us with intention to inherit something after us. But we want to live my żyć. We Polish-language and German-languague Upper Silesians want to live together with agreement and peace and we want to lead our country to prosperity. And this is possible only when Upper Silesia will individed. Otherwise we demand a plebiscite, or Upper Silesia would be divided or not […] Korfanty answered, that himself plan of dividing up he'll be defend to last drop of blood. Uppersilesians we warn you. You don't let to change our homeland in a desert. If it would be bloodshed, it would not Upper Silesian blood and not in Upper Silesia. Upper Silesians don't let us to use for terroristic acts. Every terror need to nip in the bud. Upper Silesians let's remember that we are homogeneous, fraternal nation. Let's shake hands with ourself, let's leave a peace and we'll range free and individed Upper Silesia. (…) In the time council of coalition will know that one dissolving of Upper Silesian question is neutralization of disputable seat. Then we'll celebrate our resurrection as free citizens in Free Upper Silesian State.
On May 2, 1921 broke out third Polish uprising in Upper Silesia (in Polish literature: Third Silesian Uprising), which was blooded civil war. In the time of this war all uprising commanders demand "proclamation of sovereign Silesian state" from Wojciech Korfanty
Wojciech Korfanty
Wojciech Korfanty , born Adalbert Korfanty, was a Polish nationalist activist, journalist and politician, serving as member of the German parliaments Reichstag and Prussian Landtag, and later on, in the Polish Sejm...
., but he rejected this demands. The only consequence of this war was dividing up of Upper Silesia, more proftable for Poland, than results of the plebiscite. In the time in every number of weekly Der Bund – Związek was the information printed in large and bold type: "everybody second Upper Silesian is open or hidden member of the Union of Upper Silesians". According to data this organization, on autumn 1921 it counted about 500,000 members.
On April 1921 Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol was a Silesian politician. He served as secretary of the Catholic Trade Union, as a member of the town council in Bytom, and as leader of a local group in Bytom...
, Heinrich Skowronek and Wiktor Durynek, referring to big mix of the votes, demand independence of Upper Silesia. In them negotiations with authorities of Poland mediated Adam Napieralski. Later Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz was Silesian politician, doctor of law, lawyer in Racibórz since 1913 and Wodzisław Śląski, chairman of Workers Council in Wodzisław Śląski and co-founder secret Upper Silesian Committee in 1918, civil law notary since 1919, co-founder and leader Union of Upper Silesians in the period...
lead conversations with head German politicians, September 4, 1921 with Interior Minister of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
- Georg Gradnauer and next with chancellor of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
– Joseph Wirth
Joseph Wirth
Karl Joseph Wirth, known as Joseph Wirth, was a German politician of the Catholic Centre Party who served as Chancellor of Germany from 1921 to 1922.-Biography:...
.
The end of activity
On November 1921 priest Wiktor Durynek resigned from function editor of Der Bund – Związek and retired from political activity. His duties took Joseph MusiolJoseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol was a Silesian politician. He served as secretary of the Catholic Trade Union, as a member of the town council in Bytom, and as leader of a local group in Bytom...
and architect Bruno Petzel – former member of Polish Head People's Council. On December 4, 1921 in the time assembly of the Union of Upper Silesians in Chorzów
Chorzów
Chorzów is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. Chorzów is one of the central districts of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - a metropolis with a population of 2 million...
, Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz was Silesian politician, doctor of law, lawyer in Racibórz since 1913 and Wodzisław Śląski, chairman of Workers Council in Wodzisław Śląski and co-founder secret Upper Silesian Committee in 1918, civil law notary since 1919, co-founder and leader Union of Upper Silesians in the period...
resigned from leading of this organisation and retired from politics. His function took deputy Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol was a Silesian politician. He served as secretary of the Catholic Trade Union, as a member of the town council in Bytom, and as leader of a local group in Bytom...
. In consequence sudden cut out sponsoring of the Union of Upper Silesians by Upper Silesian industrialists, from March 1922 weekly Der Bund – Związek was edited irregularly and two months later edition was over, but even last numbers nawet in May spread in 40,000 copies.
On November 1922 Heinrich Skowronek in the time of the election to regional assembly of Upper Silesian Province (Provinziallandtag) show own election list. In the place of good known name: Union of Upper Silesians, gave new name: Upper Silesian Catholic People's Party . Creation Catholic party of Silesian nationality in opposition to Catholic parties of German and Poles wasn't bad idea, but without known name of organizations, nable leaders, own newspaper, rich sponsors it can't successful. Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol was a Silesian politician. He served as secretary of the Catholic Trade Union, as a member of the town council in Bytom, and as leader of a local group in Bytom...
even didn't start in this election. The list had almost no supporters and his candidates came back to Catholic People's Party – Centre Party (Germany)
Centre Party (Germany)
The German Centre Party was a Catholic political party in Germany during the Kaiserreich and the Weimar Republic. Formed in 1870, it battled the Kulturkampf which the Prussian government launched to reduce the power of the Catholic Church...
.
After election on November 1922. Adam Napieralski – editor Polish-language newspaper Katolik (The Catholic) founded law defence office, which activity was defence Polish-language Upper Silesians in German part of Upper Silesia. Manager of this office was Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol was a Silesian politician. He served as secretary of the Catholic Trade Union, as a member of the town council in Bytom, and as leader of a local group in Bytom...
– chairman of the Union of Upper Silesians and former deputy of Prussian parliament, who just lost his seat. He represented there Catholic People's Party – division of Centre Party (Germany)
Centre Party (Germany)
The German Centre Party was a Catholic political party in Germany during the Kaiserreich and the Weimar Republic. Formed in 1870, it battled the Kulturkampf which the Prussian government launched to reduce the power of the Catholic Church...
, from which was rejected on April 1921, because his freedom activity. Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol
Joseph Musiol was a Silesian politician. He served as secretary of the Catholic Trade Union, as a member of the town council in Bytom, and as leader of a local group in Bytom...
sent questionnaires in question discrimination of Polish-language Upper Silesians in covers with overprint "Union of Upper Silesians". He was chairman this organization to 1924, when was self-desolved.
In spite of the breakdown of the Union of Upper Silesians idea Upper Silesian nation and independence of Upper Silesia not dead. In 1925 president of police in Gliwice
Gliwice
Gliwice is a city in Upper Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. Gliwice is the west district of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union – a metropolis with a population of 2 million...
informed president of Province Upper Silesia – Alfons Proske, that idea of free state is still alive in German Upper Silesia. In borders of Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
former activists of the Union of Upper Silesians came back into political parties. Mainly into Catholic People's Party , which stay on stance, that it represents Germans and "German-disposed Silesians" in Autonomous Silesian Voivodeship
Autonomous Silesian Voivodeship
The Silesian Voivodeship was an autonomous province of the interwar Second Polish Republic. It consisted of territory which came into Polish possession as a result of the 1921 Upper Silesia plebiscite, the Geneva Conventions, three Upper Silesian Uprisings, and the eventual partition of Upper...
, accenting known slogan freedom fighters: "Upper Silesia for Upper Silesians". Identical slogan announced Union of Upper Silesians Defence, founded in 1925 by former Polish activists with Jan Kustos
Jan Kustos
Jan Kustos was a Silesian politician, philosophy magister, press editor, founder and chairman of the Union of Upper Silesians Defence from 1925-1932, spokesman rights national minority for Silesians in Poland, member of town council in Katowice in the period 1926-1927, founder of the Trade Union...
as chairman. "Right of Upper Silesia to self-standing" announced Communist Party of Upper Silesia too.
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Carl Ulitzka, Karl Schodrok and Adolf Kaschny gave idea to change Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
into "East-European Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
". In the 1990s was activated Union of Upper Silesians in Opole
Opole
Opole is a city in southern Poland on the Oder River . It has a population of 125,992 and is the capital of the Upper Silesia, Opole Voivodeship and, also the seat of Opole County...
. Since 2008 active Silesian Separatistic Movement, which refer to the tradition of Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz
Ewald Latacz was Silesian politician, doctor of law, lawyer in Racibórz since 1913 and Wodzisław Śląski, chairman of Workers Council in Wodzisław Śląski and co-founder secret Upper Silesian Committee in 1918, civil law notary since 1919, co-founder and leader Union of Upper Silesians in the period...
's organisation. Union People of Silesian Nationality founded in 1996 by activists of Silesian Autonomy Movement
Silesian Autonomy Movement
The Silesian Autonomy Movement is a movement officially declaring its support for the autonomy of Silesia as part of a unified Europe. The association was founded in January 1990 by Rudolf Kołodziejczyk and is based in the Polish part of Upper Silesia...
refer to activity of the historical Union of Upper Silesians too.
See also
- Ewald LataczEwald LataczEwald Latacz was Silesian politician, doctor of law, lawyer in Racibórz since 1913 and Wodzisław Śląski, chairman of Workers Council in Wodzisław Śląski and co-founder secret Upper Silesian Committee in 1918, civil law notary since 1919, co-founder and leader Union of Upper Silesians in the period...
- Joseph MusiolJoseph MusiolJoseph Musiol was a Silesian politician. He served as secretary of the Catholic Trade Union, as a member of the town council in Bytom, and as leader of a local group in Bytom...
- Silesian Autonomy MovementSilesian Autonomy MovementThe Silesian Autonomy Movement is a movement officially declaring its support for the autonomy of Silesia as part of a unified Europe. The association was founded in January 1990 by Rudolf Kołodziejczyk and is based in the Polish part of Upper Silesia...
, a modern political party - Silesian People's PartySilesian People's PartyThe Silesian People’s Party was a political organization in Cieszyn Silesia that existed from 1909 to 1938 in Austrian Silesia, which later became international plebiscite territory and finally part of Czechoslovakia. The party included mainly Slavic people, who saw themselves as members of a...
- Józef KożdońJózef KożdońJózef Kożdoń was Silesian autonomist politician.-Biography:...
- Josef CichyJosef CichyJosef Cichy was Silesian politician, owner of manufacture in Goleszów, member of the first authorities of Silesian People's Party, a candidate this party in the time election to Silesian Parliament in Opava from country election district Frysztat-Cieszyn-Jabłonków, leader of local group of...
- Theofil KupkaTheofil KupkaTheofil Kupka was a Silesian politician.- Biography :...
- Jan KustosJan KustosJan Kustos was a Silesian politician, philosophy magister, press editor, founder and chairman of the Union of Upper Silesians Defence from 1925-1932, spokesman rights national minority for Silesians in Poland, member of town council in Katowice in the period 1926-1927, founder of the Trade Union...