Reakcja społeczeństwa miasta Krakowa na zajęcie przez Polskę Zaolzia
A reaction of the society of Kraków to the occupation of Zaolzie by Poland

Summary/Abstract: Polish claims towards Czechoslovakia concerning Zaolzie, strengthening at the end of the 1930s and the occupation of this territory aroused a big interest among the city dwellers of Kraków. It was historically justified because the strengthening Polishness in Cieszyn Silesia from the end of 19th century was supported by the activities of Poles from Galitia, especially from Kraków. After World War I, the city dwellers of Kraków took part in a Polish-Czech battle for the nationality of Zaolzie. After a division of this territory in 1920 which was disadvantageous for Poland, they were disappointed. That is why the possibility of including Zaolzie into the boundaries of the Republic of Poland, in connection to the weakening of Czechoslovakia after Munich, was interesting. Kraków, unlike any other city in Poland, aroused interest because of a “return of Zaolzie to the motherland” in October 1938. It was reflected in press, in mass manifestations, resolutions, creating organizations supporting Polish actions and collecting money. The level of engagement differed as to a political option the city dwellers of Kraków were connected with. The advocates of the reform expressed their support for the policy of the Polish government much stronger, the opponents less fervently. The opposition, apart from an approval of the inclusion of Zaolzie, warned against the consequences of this fact for the international politics, meaning a cooperation with Germans.

• Details
• Contents