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Silesian People's Party

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Silesian People’s Party (Template:Lang-cs, Template:Lang-de, Template:Lang-pl, Template:Lang-szl) was a political organization in Cieszyn Silesia that existed in the period of 1909–1938 in the borders of Austrian Silesia, subsequent international plebiscite territory and finally in Czechoslovakia. The party included mainly Slavic people, who identified themselves with Silesian national identity.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] In scientific literature it is counted into the Szlonzakian movement (pol. ruch ślązakowski, cz. Šlonzácké hnutí, ger. Schlonsakenbewegung) or Silesian separatistic movement.

Genesis

Józef Kożdoń

It was founded in summer of 1908 by principal of a elementary school Józef Kożdoń in Skoczów. In February 7,[9] 1909 had counted about 2,000 members in 30 local groups[10] in counties: Bielsko, Cieszyn and Fryštát. Local groups in Frydek county had formed later. Members and electors of SPP came from Protestant circles (1/4 of all) citizens Cieszyn Silesia, so biggest structures of this party existed in counties Bielsko and Cieszyn, where lived large Protestant community. Biggest local groups of Józef Kożdoń’s party (data from 1913) existed in Skoczów – 214 members and Cieszyn – 210 members.

Politics of SPP wasn’t new – it was present in Cieszyn Silesia from the Spring of Nations,[11] but it was the first time this option was organized in the political party. Early it was above party organization Union of Austrian Silesians founded in 1848 by Silesian deputies of Austrian Parliament: Franz Hein, Hans Kudlich and later mayor of Cieszyn: Johann Demel von Elswehr or informal community, like an environment of paper "Nowy Czas" (New Time), edited by preacher Theodor Haase. Szlonzakian movement had extended in nineties of 19th century, collecting slavic people, who didn’t want to vote for Poles or Czechs and chose attachment to separate Silesian nation,[12] achieving big dash mainly in judicial districts: Skoczów, Strumień and Frydek.[13]

Activity in Austria

In 1909 there were elections to the Silesian Parliament in Opava. Silesian People's Party and German liberals had founded united election list Silesian Progressive Coalition, which included candidates of Silesian People's Party in country election circles and German liberal candidates in town election circles. Finally electors from country election circle Bielsko-Strumień-Skoczów chose one deputy – the leader of Silesian People’s Party Józef Kożdoń, who defeated Józef Londzin from Union of Silesian Catholics – leader of Poles in Cieszyn Silesia. In country election circle Cieszyn-Fryštát-Jablunkov won Fraciszek Halfar from Union of Silesian Catholics – supported by Silesian People's Party and Polish parties as well. Second deputy from this circle became leader of the Protestant Polish National Party Jan Michejda, who defeated Silesian People's Party candidate Josef Cichy, only thanks to the votes of Polish Catholics and Czechs. Third candidate of Silesian People's Party Edward Quasnitza won first round of election in country election circle Bohumín-Slezská Ostrava-Frýdek, but in second round was defeated by Czech candidate Jan Poppe – mayor of Slezská Ostrava, supported by Poles.

Since July 1910 was actived unpolitical cultural base of Silesian People's Party – Union of Silesians (Template:Lang-pl, Template:Lang-de, Template:Lang-cs), founded by Józef Kożdoń, Josef Cichy and Paul Wania, first under the name Silesian People's Union "Our Homeland" (Template:Lang-pl, Template:Lang-de). In the period 1909–1923 official paper of Silesian People's Party was weekly Ślązak (Silesian).

In 1911 there were Austrian local elections. Silesian People's Party won in 39 communes of counties Bielsko and Cieszyn: Jaworze and Jasienica in judicial district Bielsko; Bładnice Dolne, Cisownica, Goleszów, Godziszów, Górki Wielkie, Harbutowice, Hermanice, Kozakowice Górne, Kozakowice Dolne, Łączka, Międzyświeć, Nierodzim, Simoradz, Wieszczęta, Wilamowice and Ustroń (here Szlonzakian-German coalition) in judicial district Skoczów; Bąków, Drogomyśl, Pruchna, Zaborze and Rudzica (here Szlonzakian-Polish coalition) in judicial district Strumień; Bażanowice, Dzięgielów, Gumna, Konská, Leszna Górna, Komorní Lhotka, Nebory, Puńców, Svibice, Zamarski, Horní Žukov and Šumbark (here Szlonzakian-Polish coalition) in judicial district Cieszyn; Lyžbice, Mosty u Jablunkova and Oldřichovice in judicial district Jablunkov.[14]

In 1911 there were elections to Austrian Parliament in Vienna, too. Silesian People's Party candidates had lost many votes for socialists and were defeated by Polish and Czech candidates. Józef Kożdoń didn't won even in majority communes, which his party had ruled in local elections. From country election circle Bielsko excluded 8 communes about Bielsko called "German language island", which early voted for Józef Kożdoń in the time Silesian Parliament elections in 1909. Silesian People's Party candidates got following results: Józef Kożdoń 26% votes in Bielsko circle and 19% votes in Cieszyn circle, Louis Schindler 7.5% votes in Frydek circle.

In the period when Cieszyn Silesia belonged to Austria-Hungary Silesian People's Party had reached the largest popularity in the triangle Cieszyn-Wisła-Strumień with center about Skoczów, Jaworze, Ustroń and Goleszów.

In the plebiscite period

After World War I members of Silesian People's Party had a hope to get a place of the Austrian Silesia as free state in federation of Austrian states. When this conception falled, they forced independence of the Cieszyn Silesia and probably connection in one state with former Prussian Upper Silesia, which independence was forced by Upper Silesian Committee (since January 1919 Union of Upper Silesians). In the time of Paris Peace Conference "Petition in the question of independent Republic of East Silesia – Cieszyn", written by Józef Kożdoń and Richter, Fulda – leaders of Delegation of German Parties of East Silesia, was presented by member of town council in Bielsko – Robert Piesch – member of Austrian delegation in Paris. International Commission in Cieszyn had gotten "Petition in the question rights of Cieszyn Land’s people to self-determination",[15] which author, Silesian economist and theoretical lawyer Eduard August Schroeder[16] supported independence of Cieszyn Silesia. This option was supported by three members of international Commission: Dubois from the USA, Tissi from Italy and Coulson from the UK, but fourth – representative of France Grenard was opposed to the idea, even to include the option of independence in planned plebiscite. Plebiscite was supposed to decide the future of Cieszyn Silesia between Poland and Czechoslovakia . Soon leader of Silesian People's Party gained close contacts with head Czechoslovak politicians: president Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, prime minister Karel Kramář and foreign affairs minister Edvard Beneš (and next prime minister Vlastimil Tusar), who promised for Józef Kożdoń, that Silesia in borders of Czechoslovakia will have political autonomy.

Workers of plebiscite committee of Silesian People’s Party. Józef Kożdoń was signed by white sign "X".

Even when SPP officially supported Czechoslovakia, this party didn't abandon the option of independence still forced by its ally – Germans from Cieszyn Silesia. Leader of SPP Józef Kożdoń gained cooperation with leader of Upper Silesian independentists Ewald Latacz – chairman of Union of Upper Silesians[17] counting about half million members.[18]

In that period Szlonzakian movement had mass character. Silesian People's Party had more than 10 thousands members and Union of Silesians 52 thousands.[19] In the time Plebiscite Committee of Silesian People's Party was founded in Karwina and 139 communal plebiscite committees of this party in following counties: Bielsko 50, Cieszyn 61 and Fryštát 28 communal committees.[20] In winter of 1920 in Fryštat František Janku and Paweł Bajtek founded Silesian Social-Democratic Party, formed from Silesian workers, mainly from former members of Polish Socialist Party and Silesian People's Party from Wisła, Ustroń and Goleszów. In founding of local structures of this new party had merit Karol Smyczek, Kożdoń’s personal secretary. All members and supporters of "Szlonzakian movement" in 1920 counted about 100 thousands.[21] In July 1920 Western allies divided Cieszyn Silesia without holding a plebiscite.

In Poland

On the Polish side, where about 80% structures of Szlonzakian movement were located,[22] its activity was impossible. "Members of Silesian People’s Party and Union of Silesians were subject to persecution and arrests".[23]

In January 1934 members of the Association of Regional Writers, editing "Trybuna Śląska" (Silesian Tribune), Association Cultural-Economic "Silesia" and former members of Union of Upper Silesians Defence: Konrad Markiton, Jan Pokrzyk, Paweł Teda, Alfons Pośpiech, Jerzy Jeleń and Waleska Kubistowa reactivated Silesian People's Party in Katowice. They counted for connection with former electors of Jan Kustos from former Prussian Upper Silesia and Józef Kożdoń from Polish part of Cieszyn Silesia. On April 15, 1934 Polish police confiscated first number of bilingual paper of this party "Śląska Straż Ludowa – Schlesische Volkswacht" (Silesian People’s Watch) and stamped its editorial office. It marked the end of the activity of this organization in Katowice.[24]

Activity in Czechoslovakia

In 1923 took place secession in the Silesian People's Party, three faction appeared. First German-language (Rudolf Francus, Walter Harbich, Karol Sikora, Arthur Wohrizek, Emmanuel Harbich, Otto Wohlman, Karl Kordula, Hans Peschke), second Polish-langague (Karol Folwartschny, Gustaw Wałach, Józef Santarius, Adam Broda, Paweł Tomanek), third pro-Czech (Karol Smyczek, Karol Pawlas, Alfred Farnik). German-language faction started in some communal and all-district elections in the coalition with German minority election community. Polish-language faction take an election coalitions with Polish minority parties, at active equal of Józef Kożdoń – leader all the party connecting these two factions. In some communes he started alone. Pro-Czech faction cut out from Kożdoń as separate organization and affiliated with close cooperation with Czech Agrarian Party. In communal elections it started alone or entered Czech coalitions.

Sometimes in one commune started all three factions of Silesian People's Party, which rivaled between themselves. In communal elections Silesian People's Party gained various success. Its two candidates were members in council of Český Těšín county (Rudolf Francus, Karol Sikora), number of its members in town council of Český Těšín was still expanding (1923 – 5, 1927 – 10, 1931 – 12) and leader of this party Józef Kożdoń in the period 1923–1938 was continually four-time the mayor of Český Těšín. Silesian People's Party ruled in commune of Svibice too and had a large number of communal council members, starting in various political configurations (alone as Silesian People's Party, separate Polish-language faction, separate German-language faction, in wide German and Polish coalition, into various communal and citizens committees).

Newspaper of Polish-language faction was Nasz Lud (Our People). Even then "Ślązak w Czechosłowacji" (Silesian in Czechoslovakia) and Nasz Ślązak (Our Silesian) were papers of pro-Czech stances. Czechs fouded organization "Czech-Szlonzakian Unity" (Česko-šlonzacká jednota) of Vladislav Tarantik from Třanovice, which incorporated weak structures of SPP in Frydek county, connecting it to the Czech political camp. Head members of Silesian People's Party in Czechoslovakia were: Józef Kożdoń, Rudolf Pierniczek, Karol Malina, dr Rudolf Francus, dr Walter Harbich in Český Těšín, Ludwik Niedoba i Alojzy Kuchejda in Jablunkov, Oswald Bayer in Třinec, Gustaw Wałach in Orlová, Robert Wallach in Komorní Lhotka, Karol Sikora and Jan Pasterny in Šumbark, Karol Kubik in Lyžbice, Bruno Kappel in Třanovice, Karol Bruck in Svibice and Józef Pellar in Bystrzyca.

In 1925 in the time of the parliament elections in Czechoslovakia, Silesians People's Party affiliated coalition with Polish minority parties: Union of Silesian Catholics, Polish People's Party and Polish Socialist Workers Party. Representant of Szlonzakian movement Gustaw Wałach was a candidate on third place, after Leon Wolf from Union of Silesian Catholics and Wiesław Wójcik from Polish Socialist Workers Party. Election slogan of Polish coalition was Silesian People's Party slogan "Silesia for Silesians" (in the Austrian period this slogan was discredited by all Polish organizations.[25][26] Deputy elected was Leon Wolf.

In 1927 Czechoslovak authorities, against own guarantees for Silesian People's Party, decided to connect Czech Silesia with Moravia. Suddenly the mayor of Opava Ernst Franz fouded Committee for Protection of Silesian Rights, which was against this decision. One of activities of this committee was edition of German-language brochure of Józef Kożdoń "Right of our Silesian homeland for administration unhabitance", in which he presented irrationality of the connection, basing on historical, social and economic questions.[27] Against this connection protested Silesian People's Party, Union of Silesians and all the organizations of Polish and German minorities, but authorities in Prague ignored these protests.

In 1928 in the time of elections to Silesia-Moravia regional assembly, Silesian People's Party affiliated coalition with Poles again. Szlonzakian-Polish-Jewish election list was opened Gustaw Wałach from Silesian People's Party, but nobody from this list was elected.

In the time of the elections to the National Assembly in Prague in 1929 and elections to Silesian-Moravian Regional Assembly in 1935 Silesian People's Party supported Polish-Jewish list. In the time of the elections to National Assembly in Prague in 1935 Silesian People's Party supported Polish candidate Karol Junga from Polish-Slovak-Ruthenian list the Autonomy Bloc. On the other hand, Walter Harbich – leader of German-language faction supported Sudetendeutsche Partei.

In 1938 Nazi Germany claimed the Opava Silesia and other Czechoslovak territories inhabited by majority of the German people. Poland claimed the Zaolzie region. In this situation on September 8, 1938 Silesian People's Party as "representation of Silesian nationality" sent memorial for representative of the UK – Sir Walter Runciman, in which reminded him the question of plebiscite in 1920. According to new emergency, SPP demanded from four allied powers to execute plebiscite in question of Cieszyn Silesia. Petition, to which was connected Kurt Witt's work "Die Teschener Frage" (The Cieszyn question), was signed by mayor of Český Těšín Józef Kożdoń, member of Český Těšín county council Rudolf Francus, landowner in Dolni Třanovice – Bruno Kappel, peasant and merchant from Lyžbice – Karol Kubik, judicial assistant from Komorní Lhotka – Robert Wallach and lawyer from Český Těšín – Walter Harbich.[28] On September 18, 1938 Walter Harbich as leader of "assembly of Silesian nationality" sent a telegram to Adolf Hitler, requesting independence of Cieszyn Silesia under a protection of Nazi Germany. Petition in the same question was sent to the prime minister of the UK Neville Chamberlain, too.[29]

End of activity

On October 2, 1938 Polish Army incorporated Zaolzie into Poland, and eventually Wehrmacht incorporated Silesian territory near Opava and other territories into Nazi Germany. On October 2, 1938 Rudolf Francus and Walter Harbich – leaders of German-language faction of Silesian People's Party sent a telegram to Adolf Hitler, speaking in protest of Silesian people and German people from Bohumín against cession of the Zaolzie to Poland.[30] All the telegrams were sent without knowledge of Kożdoń.[31] On October 6, 1938 Polish authorities banned all non-Polish organizations in the Zaolzie. German and Czechoslovak organizations were banned, as well as the Silesian People's Party and the Union of Silesians. Leader of Silesian People's Party Józef Kożdoń, was expelled from the function of mayor of Český Těšín and authorities forced him to leave Cieszyn Silesia and go to Opava. At this time Walter Harbich at a cooperation of Paul Lamatsch without Kożdoń's knowledge subordinated illegal Silesian People's Party to Central Place of German People (Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle) in Berlin.

Two weeks after the aggression of Nazi Germany on Poland, Kożdoń "was welcomed by ovation" back to Cieszyn.[32] In December 1939 Nazi Germans organized police census, when 157 thousands citizens of Cieszyn Silesia declared "Szlonzakian nationalilty" (Slonzaken Volk) and 184 thousands declared Szlonzakian language (Slonzakisch). Nazi Germans didn't restore legal activity for Silesian People's Party and function of mayor for Józef Kożdoń. They used immense popularity of party's idea for the aim of Germanization.

See also

References

  1. ^ Rede des Landtagabg[eorgnetes] Koždon in der Budgetdebatte des schlesischen Landtages (44. Sitzung) am 8. November 1910 in: Josef Koždon, Über die Sonderstellung der schlesischen Polen, die nationalen Verhältnisse und die allpolnische Propaganda in Ostschlesien, Skotschau 1910.
  2. ^ Kronika.(Śląskim „Ślązakom”), „Dziennik Cieszyński” nr 56, 10.03.1909.
  3. ^ „Ślązak” a socyaliści, „Gwiazdka Cieszyńska” nr 16, 24.02.1909.
  4. ^ „Ślązak” z 28.01. 1910.
  5. ^ „Ślązak” z 18.12.1909
  6. ^ Czesi, Niemcy – „ślązakowcy”, „Dziennik Cieszyński” nr 190, 21.08.1909.
  7. ^ Ciesz się narodzie śląski!, „Dziennik Cieszyński” nr 218, 24.09.1909.
  8. ^ „Ślązak” z 28.01. 1910.
  9. ^ http://www.skoczow.pl/?p=p_116&sName=kronika-miasta-971-r.--2000-r.
  10. ^ Andrzej Szefer, Współpraca tzw. Ślązakowców z Niemcami, "Zaranie Śląskie", Katowice – Cieszyn 1963; Josef Koždon, Aus der jüngster Geschichte der Teschener Landes – Errinerungen und Erlebnisse, "Schlesisches Jahrbuch", Breslau 1940.
  11. ^ E. Buława, Od wspólnoty etnicznej do ukształtowania się wspólnot narodowych (1840–1917), [in:] Śląsk Cieszyński. Środowisko naturalne. Zarys dziejów. Zarys kultury materialnej i duchowej pod red. W. Sosny, Cieszyn 2001, s. 185, ISBN 83-88271-07-5.
  12. ^ Ružena Vyhnalikova w A. Grobelny (red.), K otazkam dějin Slezska, Ostrava 1956.
  13. ^ Józef Chlebowczyk, Nad Olzą. Śląsk Cieszyński w wiekach XVIII, XIX i XX, Katowice 1971.[page needed]
  14. ^ Piątkowski Kazimierz, Stosunki narodowościowe w Księstwie Cieszyńskim, Cieszyn 1918.
  15. ^ Schroeder Eduard August, Denkschrift zum Selbstbestimmungsrechte des Teschner Landes (mit Beilage Die Neutralitätserklärung des Herzogtums Teschen vom 5. März 1779. Denkschrift zur völkerrechtlichen und staatsrechtlichen Stellung des Teschener Landes) Teschen 1919
  16. ^ Spyra, Janusz, Uczony spod Beskidów, "Kalendarz Cieszyński" 1991.
  17. ^ Vogel Rudolf, Deutsche Presse und Propaganda des Abstimmungkampfes in Oberschlesien, Beuthen O.S. 1931.
  18. ^ Andrea Schmidt-Rösler, Autonomie und Separatismusbestrebungen in Oberschlesien 1918–1922, „Zeitschrift für Ostmitteleuropa” Forschung 1999, Heft 1
  19. ^ Protest „Śląskiej Partyi Ludowej, „Ślązak” nr 31, 6.08.1920.
  20. ^ Andrzej Stępniak, Kwestia narodowa a społeczna na Śląsku Cieszyńskim pod koniec XIX i na początku XX wieku, Katowice 1986.
  21. ^ Arnulf Hein, Vor 55 Jahren starb der Schlonsakenführer Josef Koždoň, "Unser Oberschlesien" nr 23-24 von Dezember 2004.
  22. ^ Dobrowolski Piotr, Ugrupowania i kierunki separatystyczne na Górnym Śląsku i w Cieszyńskiem w latach 1918–1939, Warszawa – Kraków 1972.
  23. ^ Arnulf Hein, Vor 55 Jahren starb der Schlonsakenführer Josef Koždoň, "Unser Oberschlesien" nr 23-24 von Dezember 2004.
  24. ^ Dobrowolski Piotr, Ugrupowania i kierunki separatystyczne na Górnym Śląsku i w Cieszyńskiem w latach 1918–1939, Warszawa – Kraków 1972.
  25. ^ Dariusz Jerczyński, Historia Narodu Śląskiego (History of Silesian Nation), second edition (implemented and corrected), Zabrze 2006, ISBN 978-83-60540-55-8 page 195
  26. ^ Krzysztof Nowak, Leon Wolf (1883–1968) Biografia polityczna, Katowice 2002.[page needed]
  27. ^ Josef Koždon, Das Recht unserer schlesischer Heimat auf die verwaltungmässige Selbständigkeit, Troppau 1927.
  28. ^ Grobelny Andělin, Tešinsko jako předmět německe politiky v letech 1933–39, Opava 1970.
  29. ^ Andělin Grobelny, Tešinsko jako předmět německe politiky v letech 1933–39, Opava 1970.
  30. ^ Otokar Kaňa, Dokumenty o proněmeske angažovnosti Josefa Koždoně a jeho stoupenců (Šlonzaků), Opava /otisk "Slezsky Sbornik" 1971
  31. ^ Dariusz Jerczyński, Historia Narodu Śląskiego (History of Silesian Nation), second edition (implemented and corrected), Zabrze 2006, ISBN 978-83-60540-55-8 page 233; equal to A. Grobelny, 1970 and O. Kaňa, 1971
  32. ^ Wilhelm Szewczyk, Syndrom śląski. Szkice o ludziach i dziełach, Katowice 1986.[page needed]

Sources

  • Tomasz Kamusella, Silesia and Central European Nationalisms: The Emergence of National and Ethnic Groups in Prussian Silesia and Austrian Silesia, 1848–1918 (Ser: Central European Studies; Foreword by Professor Charles W. Ingrao). 2007. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press, 386 pp. ISBN 978 1 55753 371 5
  • Upper Silesia 1870–1920: Between Region, Religion, Nation and Ethnicity: journal article by Tomasz Kamusella; East European Quarterly, Vol. 38, 2004
  • Dariusz Jerczyński, Historia Narodu Śląskiego (History of Silesian Nation), second edition (implemented and corrected), Zabrze 2006, ISBN 978-83-60540-55-8.
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