1921 Vote
Who was allowed to vote on March 20, 1921, how did the result turn out, and why did the border not simply follow the distribution of votes?
Keep readingHistory and Culture
History of Upper Silesia: A Region Between the Oder and the Industrial Belt
The year 1742 is often used as the starting point for accounts of Upper Silesian history. After the Silesian Wars, most of Silesia then belonged to Prussia. This shift of borders shaped the later development of the whole region.
Topics at a Glance
Upper Silesia (Polish: Górny Śląsk) is a historic landscape on the upper Oder. Today it lies mostly in Poland, in the Silesian and Opole voivodeships. This page gives an overview of the region and points to subpages on the main topics.
Industrial Heritage
Foundry in Gleiwitz, Guido Mine, Tarnowitz and Nikiszowiec: places where industrial history can be seen in person.
Keep readingPlace Names
Kattowitz and Katowice, Hindenburg and Zabrze: how place names arose, changed and can be read in old sources.
Keep readingCustoms and Traditions
St. Barbara's Day, the pilgrimage to Annaberg, beef rolls with dumplings, dialect and Familoki as traces of a shared history.
Keep readingAbout the Project
Purpose, editorial approach and notes on the sources of this independent resource.
Keep readingHistory of Upper Silesia: From the Silesian Wars to the Vote
Belonging to Prussia since 1742 influenced administration, the economy and everyday life. In the nineteenth century the region developed into one of the great industrial areas of Europe. Hard coal, zinc, lead and iron formed the basis of this boom. Towns and settlements grew up around the mines and ironworks. Another important turning point was the plebiscite of March 20, 1921. The subpage on the 1921 vote describes its course and its significance for the history of Upper Silesia. It presents the events factually and stays neutral on contested historical questions.
Industrial Heritage: Traces of Labor in the Landscape
Industrial heritage still shapes the look of the region today. One example is Tarnowskie Góry (Tarnowitz): its silver mine, together with its water management system, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017. The listing underlines the historical and cultural value of the former mining. On the subpage on industrial heritage you can learn how industry shaped the development of towns and the lives of their residents.
Culture of Upper Silesia: Language, Place Names and Customs
The culture of Upper Silesia emerged from the interplay of Polish and German influences. This is especially clear in the place names. Many places have two historical name forms, one Polish and one German. Katowice, for example, is called Kattowitz in German. The subpage on place names explains where these different names come from and how to read them in old sources. The page on customs and traditions focuses on the region's folk culture. It is a part of the culture that has stayed alive despite changing borders and administrations.
- 1742Most of Silesia passes to Prussia after the Silesian Wars.
- 1796The Royal Iron Foundry in Gleiwitz is founded.
- 1921The plebiscite in Upper Silesia takes place on March 20.
- 2017The silver mine in Tarnowitz is added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
What Does This Site Offer?
This independent resource serves information purposes only and is not affiliated with any organization. It has five subpages: the 1921 vote, industrial heritage, place names, customs and traditions, and the project page. The last one explains the aims of the site and how the articles are produced. You can go straight to a single topic or read the articles in order to get an overview.
The subpages invite you to get to know the history and culture of Upper Silesia more closely. They show a region where industry, borders and languages have been closely intertwined for centuries.
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