History of the region

The ethnic character of the region where OKD is active results from complex historical development. In terms of history, the Moravian-Silesian region is not a long standing part of the territories of the Czech Crown but only a later addition – in a way, it is still closer in terms of folklore and ethnicity to the wide area accross the current border - Silesia.

Silesia

Silesia (Śląsk in Polish and Schlesien in German) is a historic territory currently located partly in Poland (most of its territory), partly in the Czech Republic, and the Pechern [1] settlement and two exclaves north-east of Bad Muskau are located in Germany (see map [2]). Until 1742 the whole of Silesia belonged to the countries of the Czech Crown. At that time Wroclaw was the metropolis of Silesia. After 1742 its territory was divided in the course of various historic periods to a number of parts of unsustainable size (Czech Silesia, Prussian Silesia and Polish Silesia). This territory was inhabited by the tribes of Silesians (who gave it its name) as well as Opolians and other Slavic tribes. In 990 it became a part of Poland. However, the territory later underwent a complicated historical development in the course of which it was gradually losing its integrity. Certain parts in certain periods were even independent units, however the struggle for authority was exercised in stages by the Polish kingdom, Czech kingdom, Prussia, Austria (Austria-Hungary), independent Czechoslovakia, Poland as well as the Third Reich...

Czech Silesia

Czech involvment in the Silesian region is of old. Already King Wenceslas II. made a number of Silesian principalities into feudal regions under the Czech Crown; this process was completed in 1327-1335 by Jan of Luxembourg. Czech sovereignty over Silesia was repeatedly recognized by the Polish king Kazimir III. The Great (1333-1370); first in 1333 by the Treaty of Vyšehrad and later in 1335 by the Treaty of Trenčín (at a meeting with Jan of Luxembourg and the then, mere, Prince Charles in exchange for having the Czech King waive his claim to the Polish Crown), and again in 1348 by the Peace in Namyslow with Charles IV., who concurrently by marrying Anna of Swidnice acquired the remaining hitherto independent Silesian principalities by heirdom. After the countries of the Czech Crown became a part of Austria (later Austria-Hungary), this territory was indicated as Austrian Silesia. Since 1919 the name of Czech Silesia or Sudeten Silesia has been used.