Polish-Czech War

Above: Map showing the borders between Poland and Czech Republic, and other countries of Central Europe (click map to enlarge)

The Post World War I saw the outbreak of hostilities between Poland and Czechoslovakia over Teschen. It was an area rich in many ways - iron and textile industries, strategic rail connections and above all coalfields of Silesia. On 5th November 1918 the two countries formally agreed upon a borderline but neither was serious about abiding by it.

Within a month, on 10th December 1918, Poland announced that elections to the Warsaw Diet would be held in Teschen 26th January 1919. The amassing of Polish troops along the border followed the declaration. Czechoslovakia answered with a warning ordering the removal of troops. By 23rd January skirmishes broke out in which the Czechs had the distinct advantage.

Till 5th February this state of affairs continued and was followed by the presentation of the case by both parties to the Commission at the Paris Peace Conference. On the advise of the latter negotiations were held at Cracow from 23rd to 30th July. The Czechs were adamant in their refusal of allowing elections. This led to the mediation of the Supreme Council, which ruled that elections would be held in the disputed region under the surveillance of a Plebiscite Commission.

The ruling did not reduce tensions. Riots ensued in Teschen. Twice martial law had to be clamped down in March and May 1920. This led to the Council of Ambassadors opting for arbitration instead of Plebiscite. The boundaries were delineated and the two governments signed to the new arrangement on 28th July 1920.

Popularity: 1% [?]