Silesia

Silesia is an area of Central Europe that includes part of Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic, with the largest part located in Poland. Like many European countries, the boundaries have changed over time. The area is divided into Upper and Lower Silesia. It is a diverse area. Many of its approximately eight million inhabitants identify as having the nationality of one of the three countries included in the region and others identify as Silesian. Historically, Silesia has seen conflict as its borders and leadership came under dispute. In contemporary times, national identity continues to be an issue, as those in the minority press for greater recognition and representation.

Background

A number of ancient peoples originally settled the area that became Silesia before Germanic tribes began arriving in the first century. It became part of Poland in the tenth century but was separated again during the feudal conflicts that began in the twelfth century. During the Middle Ages, there was an influx of German immigrants, and the area came under Bohemian rule. In the middle of the 1500s, it became part of Germany for a time.

In the 1740s, Silesia was involved in the large European conflict known as the War of Austrian Succession (1740–1748). Some European rulers refused to acknowledge the right of succession for Maria Theresa, the heir to the Habsburg Empire that stretched across parts of Europe and into Africa and Central Asia. As the dispute increased, King Frederick the Great of Prussia invaded Silesia in 1740, starting the War of Austrian Succession. The war lasted until 1748 and resulted in most of Silesia becoming part of Prussia.

World War I (1914–1918) brought more changes, as various parts of Silesia aligned with Germany, Austria, Poland, and the newly formed Czechoslovakia. Following the war, the borders of Silesia encompassed parts of Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Polish inhabitants of Silesia further divided their region into Upper and Lower Silesia. A series of insurrections led to a survey being taken to determine the borders of the area. At that time, more people identified with Germany than with Poland.

The area underwent drastic changes during World War II (1939–1945), when German invaders forcibly removed Polish and Jewish residents of Silesia, placing many in concentration camps or killing them. When the war ended, the area was mostly under the control of the Soviet Union. This caused great concern among the Silesians, as the Soviets were inclined to treat them all as Germans, many of whom had supported the Nazis. As part of the post-war agreements, Silesia was transferred to Polish control. In an effort to eliminate the connection with the Nazis, Silesian's leadership placed great emphasis on the area's Polish identity. Polish became the official language and speaking German was banned

The population underwent a significant shift as well. Poles who were removed from other Soviet-controlled areas moved into Silesia, and many ethnic Germans were expelled. In addition, many Jews who survived the Holocaust resettled in the area. Not all Germans left, however. By 1991, it was no longer illegal for them to speak their native language. In the years since the war, an ongoing struggle has developed between the Polish majority and the German minority, as those who identify as German lobby for increased recognition and rights.

Overview

Contemporary Silesia has industry and resources. It maintains its historic diversity and continues to suffer from a sort of identity crisis as non-Polish factions seek greater representation throughout the area. In a survey conducted in 2011, more than 847,000 residents of Silesia self-identified as Silesian, and about 148,000 identified as German. While most people in the area can speak Polish, many also speak German or Silesian, which some consider to be a Polish dialect and others see as a unique language.

The area's largest metropolitan center is located in Upper Silesia, with its capital city of Katowice. In the early twenty-first century, the city and surrounding metropolitan area underwent a renaissance. A new train station was added along with convention centers, shopping areas, and museums. The increased cultural and intellectual opportunities attracted more students and professionals, who previously lived in the suburbs.

Silesia also has a fair amount of industry, including a thriving coal-mining sector. The mining industry employs around 100,000 people in Upper Silesia alone. Jobs in the area are also found in steel production, chemical production, scientific research, and car manufacturing. As a result, Silesia provides a large portion of the gross domestic product (GDP) of Poland. This has led to some frustration among Silesians, many of whom feel the region does not receive a proportionate share of the country's financial resources to meet their needs.

Minority German residents of Silesia have also campaigned for greater recognition. In the middle of 2016, the Polish government voted to incorporate a number of villages in the area of Opole into the town. Because of the way the government counts people and assigns representation, this reduced the percentage of Germans in the area. The minority group fell below the threshold needed for their language to be recognized on signs and in government offices and, more importantly, reduced their representation on voting councils.

Actions such as this have led to growing emphasis among minority Silesians on identifying with their ethnic group rather than the overall region of Silesia. Something as seemingly insignificant as the color scheme for a new soccer stadium takes on great significance as those who favor an autonomous Silesia free of Polish control seek recognition from the ruling powers. In contemporary times, Silesia—an area that has long seen conflict—continues to struggle to find a unified identity that represents all of its residents.

Bibliography

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