Upper Silesia plebiscite
Quick Summary
The Upper Silesia plebiscite was a vote held on March 20, 1921, to determine whether the region of Upper Silesia should belong to Germany or Poland. This historical region, originally Polish, had passed through various hands, including Bohemian, Austrian Habsburg, and Prussian rule.12
Following World War I, the Treaty of Versailles mandated the plebiscite due to conflicting claims from Germany and Poland, as Upper Silesia had a mixed population of Germans and Poles. Despite Polish uprisings in 1919 and 1920, the plebiscite resulted in more votes for Germany (approximately 706,000) than for Poland (approximately 479,000). However, the southeastern part of Upper Silesia, which was economically vital due to its coal and steel production, had a Polish majority.12
Ultimately, the Allied powers decided to divide Upper Silesia. Poland was awarded the southeastern portion, which contained most of the region's coal and steel industries, while Lower Silesia remained with Germany. This division aimed to balance the plebiscite results with economic considerations.12
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