German Political Violence and the Border Plebiscite in Upper Silesia, 1919–1921

The fixing of the disputed Polish-German border in Upper Silesia by referendum in 1921 has generally stood in a second rank behind other dramatic and difficult episodes of peacemaking and stabilization. Set in calmer times, the phenomenon of 1.2 million voters deciding whether their region would bel...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Central European history 1988-03, Vol.21 (1), p.56-98
Main Author: Tooley, T. Hunt
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Fear
Plebiscites
Police
Political violence
Prisoners of war
Propaganda
Terrorism
Violence
Voting
Voting rights
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Summary:The fixing of the disputed Polish-German border in Upper Silesia by referendum in 1921 has generally stood in a second rank behind other dramatic and difficult episodes of peacemaking and stabilization. Set in calmer times, the phenomenon of 1.2 million voters deciding whether their region would belong to one state or the other might reasonably rate as a remarkable event. Indeed, the German plebiscite victory in the face of an actual majority of “ethnic” Poles, the ensuing paramilitary war (May to July 1921), and the eventual partition of the province provide ample historical drama.
ISSN:0008-9389
1569-1616
DOI:10.1017/S0008938900012668