Polish minority in the Czech Republic (Polish: Polska mniejszość narodowa/narodowościowa w Republice Czeskiej, Czech: Polská národní/národnostní menšina v České republice) is a Polish national minority living mainly in Zaolzie territory. The Polish community is the only national (or ethnic) minority in the Czech Republic that is linked to a specific geographical area.^[5] Zaolzie is located in northeastern part of the country. It comprises of Karviná District and eastern part of Frýdek-Místek District. Poles living in other regions of the Czech Republic are also in big part from Zaolzie. Zaolzie (Czech Záolší (Zaolží), Slezsko zaolÅ¡anské, Polish Zaolzie, ÅšlÄ…sk zaolziaÅ„ski meaning Trans-Olza river) was the area disputed between Poland and Czechoslovakia West of Cieszyn with approximately 906 km² and 258,000 inhabitants. ...

History

Historically, the largest ethnic group inhabiting this area were the Poles.^[6] During the 19th century the number of Germans grew. At the beginning of the 20th century and later from 1920 to 1938, the Czech population grew significantly (mainly as a result of immigration and the assimilation of locals) and Poles became a minority, which they are to this day.

From 1848 national consciousness of local people grew and from 1848 to the end of the 19th century, local Polish and Czech people co-operated, united against the Germanization tendencies of the Austrian Empire and later of Austria-Hungary.^[7] Various Polish clubs have been founded. Most of schools were Polish, followed by German and Czech.^[8] At the end of the century, ethnic tensions appeared as the area's economic significance grew. This growth caused an immigration wave from Galicia. About 60,000 people arrived between 1880 and 1910.^[9] The new immigrants were Polish and poor, about half of them being illiterate. They worked in coal mining and metallurgy. For these people the most important factor was material well-being; they cared little about the homeland from which they had fled. Almost all of them assimilated into the Czech population.^[10] Social structure of the territory was following: Germans were economically strongest, most of owners were German, Czechs were mostly clerks and other officials and Poles were mostly workers, miners and metallurgists.^[11] This structure had changed over time but still in 1921 it was practically the same. 61,5% of Poles worked as workers.^[12] 1848 (MDCCCXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Flag of the Habsburg Monarchy The Crown of the Austrian Emperor For the history of these states before 1804, see Holy Roman Empire, Habsburg Monarchy, and articles on each of the component countries. ... Austria-Hungary, also known as the Dual monarchy (or: the k. ... Coat-of-arms of Galicia or Galicja Galicia (Ukrainian: , Polish: , German: , Hungarian: , Czech: , Turkish: ) is an historical region in East Central Europe, currently divided between Poland and Ukraine. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Year 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for full calendar). ...

Decision time (1918-1920)

There was a very tense climate in 1918-1920 when it was a time of decision. It was decided that a plebiscite would be held in the area asking people which country this territory should join. Plebiscite commissioners arrived there at the end of January 1920 and after analyzing the situation declared a state of emergency in the territory on 19 May 1920. The situation on the territory remained very tense. Mutual intimidation, acts of terror, beatings and even killings affected the area.^[13] A plebiscite could not be held in this atmosphere. On 10 July both sides renounced the idea of plebiscite and entrusted the Conference of Ambassadors with the decision.^[14] Eventually 58.1% of the area of Cieszyn Silesia and 67.9% of the population was taken over by Czechoslovakia on 28 July 1920 by a decision of the Spa Conference.^[14] This division practically created Zaolzie. A referendum (plural: referendums or referenda) or plebiscite is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. ... A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend certain normal functions of government, may work to alert citizens to alter their normal behaviors, or may order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. ... July 28 is the 209th day (210th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 156 days remaining. ... Year 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... The Spa Conference was a meeting between the members of the Entente, and of Poland, Germany, and Czechoslovakia that took place in the town of Spa, Belgium between July 5, 1920 and July 16, 1920. ...

In Czechoslovakia (1920-1938)

The local Polish population felt that Warsaw had betrayed them and they were not satisfied with the division of Cieszyn Silesia. It is not quite clear how many Poles were in Zaolzie in Czechoslovakia. Estimates range from 110,000 to 140,000 people in 1921.^[15] The 1921 and 1930 census numbers are not accurate since nationality depended on self-declaration and many Poles filled in Czech nationality mainly as a result of fear of the new authorities and as compensation for some benefits. Czechoslovak law guaranteed rights for national minorities but reality in Zaolzie was quite different. Local Czech authorities made it more difficult for local Poles to obtain citizenship, while the process was expedited when the applicant pledged to declare Czech nationality and send his children to a Czech school.^[16] Newly-built Czech schools were often better supported and equipped, thus inducing some Poles to send their children there. This and other factors contributed to the assimilation of Poles and also to significant emigration to Poland. After few years, the heightened nationalism typical for the years around 1920 receded and local Poles increasingly co-operated with Czechs. Still, Czechization was enforced by Prague, which did not follow certain laws related to language, legislative and organizational issues.^[17] Cieszyn Silesia (Polish: Śląsk Cieszyński, Czech: Těšínské Slezsko, German: Teschener Schlesien) is a historical region in south-eastern Silesia, between the Vistula and Oder rivers. ... Year 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for full calendar). ...

In Poland (1938-1939)

A military band walks under a sign made by the Polish people of Karwina during the 1938 annexation of Zaolzie by Poland. The sign reads, "We've been waiting for you for 600 years".

Polish people from Czeski Cieszyn welcome Polish troops during the 1938 annexation of Zaolzie by Poland.

On 1 October 1938 Zaolzie was annexed by Poland following the Munich Conference.^[18] The Polish Army, commanded by General Władysław Bortnowski, annexed an area of 801.5 km² with a population of 227,399 people. The Polish side argued that Poles in Zaolzie deserved the same rights as Germans in the Munich Agreement. The vast majority of the local Polish population enthusiastically welcomed the change, seeing it as a liberation and a form of historical justice.^[19] But they quickly changed their mood. The new Polish authorities appointed people from Poland to various positions from which Czechs were fired. The Polish language became the sole official language. Rapid Polonization followed. Czech organizations were dismantled and their activity was prohibited. Czech education ceased to exist.^[20] About 35,000 Czechs emigrated to Czechoslovakia by choice or forcibly.^[21] The behaviour of the new Polish authorities was similar to that of the Czech ones before 1938. Two political factions appeared: socialists (the opposition) and rightists (loyal to the new authorities). Leftist politicians and sympathizers were discriminated against and often fired from work.^[22] The Polish political system was artificially implemented in Zaolzie. Local Polish people continued to feel like second-class citizens and a majority of them were dissatisfied with the situation after October 1938.^[23] Zaolzie remained a part of Poland for only 11 months. Český Těšín is a town in the northeastern Czech Republic, at the Olza river, in Moravian-Silesian Region. ... October 1 is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Munich Agreement was an agreement regarding the Munich Crisis between the major powers of Europe after a conference held in Munich in Germany in 1938 and concluded on September 29. ... WÅ‚adysÅ‚aw Bortnowski (1891-1966) was a Polish military commander and one of the highest ranking generals of the Polish Army. ... Chamberlain holds the paper containing the resolution to commit to peaceful methods signed by both Hitler and himself on his return from Germany in September 1938. ...

World War II

During the war, strong Germanization was introduced by the Nazi authorities. The Jews were in the worst position, followed by the Poles.^[24] Poles received lower food rations, they were supposed to pay extra taxes, they were not allowed to enter theatres, cinemas, etc.^[24] Polish and Czech education ceased to exist, Polish organizations were dismantled and their activity was prohibited. The Nazis especially targeted the Polish intelligentsia and many functionaries died during the war. The German authorities introduced terror into Zaolzie. Mass killings, executions, arrests, taking locals to forced labour and deportations to concentration camps all happened on a daily basis.^[24] The most notorious war crime was a murder of 36 villagers in and around Żywocice on 6 August 1944. Most of the victims were Poles.^[25] This massacre is known as Tragedia Żywocicka (the Żywocice tragedy). The resistance movement, mostly comprised of Poles, was fairly strong in Zaolzie. Volkslists were introduced. (A Volksliste was a document introduced by the Nazi authorities; a non-German citizen declared that he had some German ancestry by signing it. Refusal to sign this document could lead to deportation to a concentration camp.) Local people who took them were later on enrolled in the Wehrmacht. Many local people with no German ancestry were also forced to take them. The World War II death toll in Zaolzie is estimated at about 6000 people: about 2500 Jews, 2000 other citizens (80% of them being Poles)^[26] and more than 1000 locals who died in the Wehrmacht (those who took the Volksliste). Percentage-wise, Zaolzie suffered the worst human loss from the whole of Czechoslovakia– about 2.6% of the total population.^[26] Prior to and during World War II Nazi Germany maintained concentration camps (Konzentrationslager or KZ) throughout the territory it controlled. ... August 6 is the 218th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (219th in leap years), with 147 days remaining. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1944 calendar). ... Volksdeutsche (ethnic Germans) is a historical term which arose in the early 20th century to apply for Germans living outside of the German Empire. ... Wehrmacht troops of the Heer (military land forces) marching at a military parade in honour of the 50th birthday of Adolf Hitler, on April 20, 1939. ...

Since 1945 and during the Communist Era (1948-1989)

Immediately after World War II, Zaolzie was returned to Czechoslovakia within its 1920 borders, although local Poles hoped it would again be given to Poland.^[27] The local Polish population again suffered discrimination, as many Czechs blamed them for the discrimination by the Polish authorities in 1938-1939.^[28] Polish organizations were banned, and Czech authorities conducted many arrests and firings from work.^[29] Polish properties stolen by the Germans during the war were never returned. Communist Party of Czechoslovakia was the only political party defending rights of Polish minority.^[30] In the 1946 elections, thus majority of Poles voted for communists.^[27] In Zaolzie 51% of elected communist officials were ethnic Poles.^[27] Situation had somehow improved when the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia took the power in February 1948. PZKO (Polish Cultural-Educational Association) was created in 1947. Creating of other Polish organizations was prohibited.^[31] It was the only Polish organization representing Polish minority in the communist era, therefore it was under strong influence of the Communist Party. It is still the largest Polish organization with largest membership. During the communist era rapid urbanization and growth of heavy industry occurred. Whole villages in the coal mining areas were destroyed by the mining activity.^[32] These conditions quickened the assimiliation of the Poles. Another cause of assimilation was a high rate of intermarriage.^[33] During the 1960s cultural life flourished. Polish books were published, Polish sections in Czech libraries were set. For example state Czech Postal and Newspaper Service was delivering 72 magazines from Poland.^[34] During the Prague Spring more free atmosphere also contributed to the growth of cultural life. After 1968 purges were conducted along all Czechoslovak society, including the Polish minority. Reformists were fired from their positions etc. Normalization also affected PZKO. From 1976 the law recommended in some municipalities introduction of bilingual signs. It was only recommended so it wasn't realized. Combatants Major Allied powers: United Kingdom Soviet Union United States Republic of China and others Major Axis powers: Nazi Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Harry Truman Chiang Kai-Shek Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead... Year 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... The Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, in Czech and in Slovak: Komunistická strana Československa (KSČ) was a political party in Czechoslovakia that existed between 1921 and 1992. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1969, inclusive. ... People in a café watch Soviet tanks roll past The Prague Spring (Czech: Pražské jaro, Slovak: Pražská jar, Russian: пражская весна) was a period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia starting January 5, 1968 when Alexander Dubček came to power, and running until August 20 of that year when the... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... Bilingual sign (or, by extension Multilingual) is the representation on a panel (sign, usually traffic sign, safety sign and informational sign) of texts in more than one language. ...

Present times

After the Velvet Revolution of 1989, under democratic conditions, Polish organizations have been quickly created. Rada Polaków (Council of the Poles) was created in 1990. The founders of the Council argued that PZKO has not fulfilled its function of representing the Poles.^[35] The organization was renamed to "Kongres Polaków" (Congress of the Poles) in 1991. It is the main body representing the Polish minority in negotiations with the Czech government, etc. The border between Poland and Czechoslovakia was opened in the mid-1991.^[36] Non-violent protesters are fighting with flowers against armored policemen The Velvet Revolution (Czech: sametová revoluce, Slovak: nežná revolúcia) (November 16 – December 29, 1989) refers to a bloodless revolution in Czechoslovakia that saw the overthrow of the communist government there. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Language and culture

Polish primary school and gymnasium in Český Těšín.

The primary langauge of the Polish population in Zaolzie is the Cieszyn Silesian dialect, with the vast majority of Poles using it in everyday communication. The dialect is very prestigious and contributes to the pride of local people.^[5] It is also used by some local Czechs. Local Poles also feel a strong regional identity.^[37] The Polish national minority has a network of schools including kindergartens, primary schools, grammar schools and secondary modern schools, with Polish as a language of instruction. A number of teachers of Polish have been educated at Polish universities. In the Zaolzie region, a few church services are conducted in Polish. 90% of worshipers among the Polish secondary school students are reported to pray in Polish.^[5] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2576x1932, 1201 KB) Description: Polish primary school and gymnasium in Český Těšín Date: 5 July, 2006 Camera: Kodak DX7590 Author: Darwinek File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2576x1932, 1201 KB) Description: Polish primary school and gymnasium in Český Těšín Date: 5 July, 2006 Camera: Kodak DX7590 Author: Darwinek File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not... Cieszyn Silesian dialect (Polish: gwara cieszyńska, Czech těšínské nářečí) is one of the Silesian dialects of Polish language with strong Czech and German influences. ...

Concerning literature, there is a great variety of authors, genres and editions produced in Polish. For traditional music, many groups (e.g. Olza) are united in the association Ars Musica. Pop and rock bands include Glayzy, Glider, P-metoda, Apatheia and other groups. Těšín Theatre in Czeski Cieszyn (Český Těšín) has a Polish ensemble. It is the only professional Polish theatre abroad.^[38] Český Těšín is a town in the northeastern Czech Republic, at the Olza river, in Moravian-Silesian Region. ...

There is a 15-minute daily radio broadcast in Polish by Czech Radio Ostrava. The Czech TV has been broadcasting in Polish for 10 minutes a week since September 2003; TV programmes from Poland can also be received. In 2003 the Czech Television’s studio in Ostrava launched a regular 5-minute news and current affairs weekly in Polish. The broadcast was shortened to 4 minutes from 2007, causing an outrage in the Polish community.^[39] The decision to shorten that already brief broadcast is also in contravention with the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.^[40] The largest Polish newspaper in the country is Głos Ludu. ÄŒeský rozhlas is the publicly-funded radio broadcaster in the Czech Republic. ... Ostrava ( ) (IPA: ) (German: Ostrau, Polish: Ostrawa) is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the administrative center of the Moravian-Silesian Region. ... The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML) is a European treaty (CETS 148) adopted in 1992 under the auspices of the Council of Europe to protect and promote historical regional and minority languages in Europe. ...

Legal issues

Czech and Polish bilingual signs during the 2006 municipal elections in Český Těšín.

The erection of bilingual signs is technically permitted since 2001, if a minority constitutes 10% of the population of a municipality. Requirement of signing a petition by the members of minority was cancelled, thus simplifying whole process.^[41] Still only a couple of villages with large Polish minorities have bilingual signs (Vendryně/Wędrynia for instance). Bilingual sign (or, by extension Multilingual) is the representation on a panel (sign, usually traffic sign, safety sign and informational sign) of texts in more than one language. ... VendrynÄ› is a small village in the northeastern Czech Republic, at the Olza (OlÅ¡e) river, in Moravian-Silesian Region. ...

For list of all municipalities with Polish population of at least 10%, see {{Polish municipalities in the Czech Republic}}.

Demographics

Polish population is historically declining. There are a few reasons for this: low natural birth rate, assimilation, high intermarriage rate (most of Poles live in mixed relationships) and migration to other parts of the country as a result of job seeking.^[37]

Sources: Šamanová 2005. Siwek 1996, 31-38.

People

Politicians

• Jerzy Buzek, Prime Minister of Poland
• Andrzej Feber, senator
• Karol Junga, interwar MP
• Karol Śliwka, interwar communist politician, MP
• Leon Wolf, interwar Czechoslovak MP and later senator in Polish senate

Professor Jerzy Buzek (born 3 July 1940 in Śmiłowice, then Germany, now Smilovice, Czech Republic) is a Polish academic lecturer and politician, prime minister of Poland from 1997-2001 and today a Member of European Parliament, elected 13th June, 2004 with the record number of votes in whole Poland. ...

Writers

• Henryk Jasiczek
• Jan Kubisz
• Gustaw Morcinek
• Adam Wawrosz

Other

• Adam Makowicz, jazz musician
• Tomasz Mendrek, badminton player representing Czechoslovakia at the 1992 Olympic Games

Adam Makowicz is a Polish pianist, who plays mostly jazz. ... (Redirected from 1992 Olympic Games) There were two Olympic Games in the year 1992: 1992 Summer Olympics 1992 Winter Olympics This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

See also

• Demographics of the Czech Republic, for other ethnic minorities in the country
• Polonia, for other Polish communities outside Poland
• Zaolzie, for historical background of Zaolzie region

The majority of the 10. ... Polonia is the Latin name for Poland. ... Zaolzie (Czech Záolší (Zaolží), Slezsko zaolšanské, Polish Zaolzie, Śląsk zaolziański meaning Trans-Olza river) was the area disputed between Poland and Czechoslovakia West of Cieszyn with approximately 906 km² and 258,000 inhabitants. ...

Footnotes

December 30 is the 364th day of the year (365th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 1 day remaining. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... The Palace of Europe in Strasbourg European Flag: used by the Council of Europe and by the European Union The Council of Europe (French: Conseil de lEurope , German: Europarat /ˌɔɪ.ˈro. ...

References

Books

• Siwek, Tadeusz (1996). Česko-polská etnická hranice. Ostrava: Filozofická fakulta Ostravské univerzity. ISBN 80-7042-457-5.
• Zahradnik, Stanisław; and Marek Ryczkowski (1992). Korzenie Zaolzia. Warszawa - Praga - Trzyniec: PAI-press.
• "Zaolzie". Nowa Encyklopedia Powszechna PWN VI. (1997). Warszawa: PWN. ISBN 83-01-11969-1.

See official www pages ... Warszawa can refer to: Warsaw, capital city of Poland Warszawa, a song written by David Bowie and Brian Eno off the album Low. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN (Polish Scientific Publishers PWN, until 1991 Państwowe Wydawnictwo Naukowe, PWN) is a Polish book publisher, founded in 1951. ...

Websites

• European Commission (2006). Polish in the Czech Republic. The Euromosaic study. European Commission.
• Siwek, Tadeusz (not dated). Statystyczni i niestatystyczni Polacy w Republice Czeskiej. Wspólnota Polska.
• Šamanová, Gabriela (2005). Národnost ve sčítání lidu v českých zemích (pdf). Centrum pro výzkum veřejného mínění AV ČR.