Kompletní Historie Slezska – Země Mnoha Vlivů

Osud Slezska formovaly vlivy Čech, Polska, Rakouska a Německa. Opakovaně měnící vlastníky absorbovalo jedinečné prvky každé kultury, čímž vytvořilo svou vlastní, odlišnou identitu. Slezská kultura je jako mozaika – patří všem a zároveň nikomu. Tato jedinečná země je důkazem soužití rozmanitosti.

1. Early Middle Ages: State of Samo and Great Moravian Empire

6th–7th century – 🇸🇰 (Hypothetical Slavic state)

In the 6th century, Silesia was inhabited by Slavic tribes, but no precise political structure of the region is known. It developed as an area populated by loose tribal groups without a unified political state.

c. 623–658 – State of Samo 🇸🇰 (First federation of Slavic tribes)

Towards the end of the 6th century, Silesia likely became part of the so-called State of Samo, the first Slavic federation in Central Europe. This federation was short-lived and covered parts of present-day Bohemia and Moravia, though there is no concrete evidence for Silesia’s involvement.

c. 830–906 – Great Moravian Empire 🇨🇿

In the 9th century, Silesia came under the control of Great Moravia, a Slavic empire that covered parts of present-day Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia, and likely Silesia. This was a period of significant Christianization, particularly through the efforts of saints Cyril and Methodius.

2. Premyslid Dynasty – First Affiliation with Bohemia (906–990)

c. 906–990 – Bohemia 🇨🇿

After the fall of Great Moravia at the beginning of the 10th century, Silesia came under the control of the Premyslid dynasty ruling in Bohemia. This was the first period of Bohemian rule over Silesia.

3. Piast Dynasty Rule: Poland (990–1037)

990–1037 – Poland 🇵🇱

Mieszko I, the first historical ruler of Poland from the Piast dynasty, annexed Silesia to Poland around 990, likely following a conflict with Bohemia. From this point on, Silesia became part of the emerging Polish state, and Christianization continued under Polish and German clerics.

4. Return to Bohemia (1037–1050)

1037–1050 – Bohemia 🇨🇿

After the death of Mieszko II in 1034, Poland entered a period of internal crisis, which Bohemia used to regain control over Silesia. The Bohemian ruler Bretislav I conquered Silesia and re-annexed it to his domain.

5. Return of the Piasts and Tributary Disputes (1050–1137)

1050–1054 – Poland 🇵🇱

In 1050, Casimir the Restorer regained control of Silesia, but under the Treaty of Quedlinburg (1054), Poland agreed to pay tribute to Bohemia for these lands, formally recognizing Bohemian suzerainty.

1054–1137 – Poland 🇵🇱

During this period, Silesia remained part of Poland but was required to pay tribute to Bohemia. Conflicts over the tribute persisted until the Glatz Peace Treaty in 1137, which was concluded between Bolesław III Wrymouth of Poland and Bohemian Prince Soběslav I.

6. Border Stabilization: Glatz Peace Treaty

1137 – Poland 🇵🇱 / Bohemia 🇨🇿

In 1137, the Glatz Peace Treaty stabilized the borders between Poland and Bohemia. Poland renounced claims to the southern part of Silesia, while Bohemia formally recognized Polish control over the remaining area.

7. Fragmentation Period: Silesian Piasts and Division

1138–1335 – Poland 🇵🇱

The Testament of Bolesław III Wrymouth in 1138 divided Poland into principalities, with Silesia going to the eldest son, Władysław the Exile, as part of the Piast domains. After Władysław’s exile in 1146, Silesia came under the control of his sons, leading to the emergence of independent Silesian duchies, such as the duchies of Wrocław, Legnica, Opole, and Racibórz.

Independent Silesian Duchies

During this period of fragmentation, Silesia was divided into multiple duchies ruled by Piast descendants. These duchies were formally part of Poland but de facto politically independent. Silesian rulers such as Henry the Bearded and his son Henry II the Pious attempted to unify the region but ultimately failed, leading to further fragmentation.

8. Affiliation with Bohemia (Bohemian Crown and the Luxembourgs)

1335–1348 – Bohemia 🇨🇿

Under the Treaty of Trenčín in 1335, Polish King Casimir the Great relinquished claims to Silesia, which formally came under the rule of Bohemian King John of Luxembourg.

1348–1526 – Bohemian Crown 🇨🇿

In 1348, Emperor Charles IV of Luxembourg formally incorporated Silesia into the Bohemian Crown, which now included Silesia, Bohemia, Moravia, and other territories. Silesia became an important center of trade and culture, with many cities receiving privileges.

9. Habsburg Rule: Austrian Habsburg Monarchy

1526–1742 – Austrian Habsburg Monarchy 🇦🇹

Following the death of Louis II of Jagiellon at the Battle of Mohács in 1526, the Bohemian throne, along with Silesia, passed to the Habsburgs. From this point on, Silesia was part of the Austrian Habsburg Monarchy, administered by the Habsburgs, who pursued a policy of centralization.

10. Prussian Rule: Silesian Wars and the German Empire

1742–1871 – Prussia 🇩🇪

As a result of the Silesian Wars (1740–1742), most of Silesia, except for parts of Cieszyn Silesia, came under the control of Prussia. King Frederick II of Prussia conquered nearly the entire region, and Silesia became a key industrial and strategic center for Prussia.

1871–1918 – German Empire 🇩🇪

After the unification of Germany in 1871, Silesia became part of the German Empire. This period saw rapid industrial growth, especially in Lower and Upper Silesia, which became one of Germany’s most important industrial and mining centers. German authorities pursued intensive Germanization of the Polish-speaking population in Upper Silesia, leading to ethnic tensions.

11. Interwar Period: Poland and Germany after World War I

1918–1921 – Poland 🇵🇱 / Germany 🇩🇪

Following World War I, under the Treaty of Versailles, a plebiscite was held in Upper Silesia to decide the region's affiliation. The plebiscite results and the Silesian Uprisings (1919, 1920, and 1921) led to the division of Upper Silesia. Part of the region was incorporated into Poland, creating the autonomous Silesian Voivodeship, while the rest of Upper Silesia and all of Lower Silesia remained in Germany.

1921–1939 – Poland 🇵🇱 / Germany 🇩🇪

In the interwar period, Silesia was divided. The Polish part of Upper Silesia developed as an important industrial region within the Second Polish Republic, with administrative autonomy and its own local assembly. Lower Silesia and most of Upper Silesia remained within Germany, forming a central industrial and military hub.

12. World War II: Occupation by the Third Reich

1939–1945 – Third Reich 🇩🇪

After the invasion of Poland in 1939, the Third Reich annexed all of Silesia, including the Polish part of Upper Silesia. German occupation led to severe repression of the Polish population, including forced Germanization and expropriation. The region became a crucial center for German war production, with numerous concentration and forced labor camps established, including Auschwitz in Upper Silesia.

13. Post-War Border Shifts and Affiliation with Poland and Czechoslovakia

1945–present – Poland 🇵🇱 / Czech Republic 🇨🇿

After World War II, based on decisions at the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences, most of Silesia was transferred to Poland. Extensive expulsions of the German population took place, and the area was resettled with Poles, including those displaced from Poland's former eastern territories. Lower Silesia and parts of Upper Silesia were incorporated into Poland as the voivodeships of Lower Silesia, Opole, and Silesia.

Czech Silesia: The southeastern part of Silesia, known as Cieszyn Silesia, remained within Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic) and today forms part of the Moravian-Silesian Region. This area also experienced varied affiliation before and after the war due

Summary of Silesia’s Political Affiliations Through the Centurie

Affiliation with Bohemia (Premyslid Dynasty, Bohemian Crown, Luxembourgs, Habsburgs):

Approximately 340 years – 906–990 🇨🇿, 1037–1050 🇨🇿, 1335–1526 🇨🇿.

Affiliation with Poland (Piast Dynasty and post-1918):

Approximately 403 years – 990–1037 🇵🇱, 1050–1137 🇵🇱, 1918–1939 🇵🇱, 1945–present 🇵🇱 (the majority of the territory).

Affiliation with Germany/Prussia (Prussia, German Empire, Third Reich):

Approximately 233 years – 1742–1918 🇩🇪, 1939–1945 🇩🇪.

Periods of independent Silesian duchies:

13th–14th centuries – Independent Silesian duchies such as those of Wrocław, Legnica, and Opole operated with significant autonomy, although formally linked to Poland and Bohemia.

Austrian Habsburg Monarchy:

1526–1742 🇦🇹 – Silesia as part of the Habsburg Monarchy.

Czech Silesia (post-World War II):

Parts of Silesia, including Cieszyn Silesia, currently belong to the Czech Republic as the Moravian-Silesian Region