Published: 2021-02-011

The most democratic voting system? The Upper Silesia plebiscite of 20 March 1921 in the historical context

Maciej Fic
Echa Przeszłości
Section: ARTICLES
https://doi.org/10.31648/ep.6355

Abstract

This article examines the Upper Silesia plebiscite of 20 March 1921. The plebiscite was recognized by the Supreme Council of the Paris Peace Conference as the most effective instrument
for appraising the local population’s political preferences and their support for remaining in Germany or merging with Poland. Despite seemingly equal campaigning efforts and similar voter turnout, the proposed solution featured several limitations with more profound consequences for Poland. Only a part of Upper Silesia was covered by the plebiscite; the date of the plebiscite was announced less than a month before the event (both the local residents and the emigrants could vote); the German administration and representatives of the middle class (the bourgeoisie) and the upper class pressure on local communities with Polish sentiments; the number of peacekeeping troops was insufficient to guarantee a fair Polish campaign and the emigrants’ participation in the vote, including in the plebiscite area. Although their impact is difficult to determine, the above factors undoubtedly contributed
to the absolute victory of German supporters. Despite the above, the proposed solution was not effective in dividing Upper Silesia into separate regions occupied by Polish and German communities. (aristocrats) exerted political .

Keywords:

Upper Silesia – Polish-German rivalry, plebiscite of 20 March 1921

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Citation rules

Fic, M. (2021). The most democratic voting system? The Upper Silesia plebiscite of 20 March 1921 in the historical context. Echa Przeszłości, (XXI/2), 253–282. https://doi.org/10.31648/ep.6355

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