Genesis Silesian People's Party

józef kożdoń

the silesian people s party founded in summer of 1908 principal of elementary school, józef kożdoń, in skoczów. on february 7, 1909, party counted 2,000 members in 30 local groups in counties of bielsko, cieszyn , fryštát. local groups in frydek county formed later. members , electors of spp came protestant circles among citizens of cieszyn silesia, largest organizations within party existed in bielsko , cieszyn, large protestant communities lived. party s largest local groups, of 1913, existed in skoczów (214 members) , cieszyn (210 members).

the goals of spp not new – similar sentiments had been present in cieszyn silesia since revolutions of 1848 – first time supporters of silesian independence organized distinct political party. silesian nationalist positions first advocated union of austrian silesians, founded in 1848 silesian deputies of austrian parliament: franz hein, hans kudlich , johann demel von elswehr. such sentiments voiced informally community institutions, paper nowy czas (new time), edited preacher theodor haase. szlonzakian movement had expanded in nineties of 19th century, collecting slavic people didn’t want vote poles or czechs , chose attachment separate silesian nation . silesian nationalism achieved successes in judicial districts of skoczów, strumień , frydek.