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The Sudetenland

A Historical Nexus of Identity and Conflict

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Defining the Sudetenland

Geographical Context

The Sudetenland is a German name for the northern, southern, and western border regions of former Czechoslovakia, predominantly inhabited by Sudeten Germans. These German-speaking populations had established a significant presence in the border districts of Bohemia, Moravia, and Czech Silesia since the Middle Ages.

The term itself emerged in the early 20th century, gaining prominence after World War I with the disintegration of Austria-Hungary. It encompassed areas beyond the Sudeten Mountains, reflecting a complex historical and demographic landscape.

Historical Significance

The areas later referred to as the Sudetenland did not historically form a single, unified region. Their distinct history is intertwined with that of Bohemia until the rise of nationalism in the 19th century. The region's identity was shaped by centuries of settlement, political shifts, and evolving ethnic dynamics.

The Sudetenland became a focal point of international tension in the interwar period, particularly during the Sudeten Crisis of 1938, which was instigated by Nazi Germany's demands for annexation, ultimately leading to the Munich Agreement.

Linguistic and Ethnic Landscape

The primary characteristic of the Sudetenland was its significant ethnic German population. By the early 20th century, the term "Sudeten Germans" was used to classify German communities within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, distinguishing them from Alpine and Balkan Germans. This linguistic and cultural identity played a crucial role in the region's political trajectory.

The administrative divisions proclaimed after World War I, such as the Province of German Bohemia and the Province of the Sudetenland, attempted to formalize these ethnic distinctions within the newly formed Czechoslovakia.

Early Origins and Settlement

Ancient Roots

The region's earliest inhabitants included the Celtic Boii, with the area first appearing on Ptolemaios' map in the 2nd century AD. Later, the Germanic Marcomanni dominated the core region before migrating westward during the Migration Period. By the 7th century AD, Slavic peoples settled the area, uniting under Samo's realm.

Medieval German Expansion

During the High Middle Ages, German settlers began moving into the less populated border regions of the Duchy and later Kingdom of Bohemia. This process, known as Ostsiedlung (settlement of the East), saw Germans invited by Bohemian kings, particularly Ottokar II and Wenceslaus II, to develop the border territories.

By the 13th century, German settlement expanded into areas like Upper Lusatia and the Silesian duchies north of the Sudetes. The Bohemian crown, under figures like John of Bohemia and Charles IV, integrated these territories, which included significant German populations, into the Lands of the Bohemian Crown.

Resilience Through Conflict

The German population remained dominant in the border regions despite periods of hardship, such as the Hussite Wars (1419–1434), which saw both Czech and German participation. The settlement patterns established in the Middle Ages, with Bavarian and Franconian influences in the south and west, and Saxon influences in the north, largely persisted.

The Habsburg rule, established in 1526, gradually integrated Bohemia into its monarchy. The Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) significantly depopulated the region, leading to resettlement with Catholic Germans from Austrian lands. German became the primary official language, diminishing Czech's status for a period.

The Term's Emergence

Defining "Sudeten Germans"

The term "Sudetendeutsche" (Sudeten Germans) gained currency in the early 20th century. It emerged as part of a broader classification of German populations within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, differentiating them from "Alpine Germans" and "Balkan Germans." The term "Sudeten Germans" persisted due to the distinct ethnic and cultural conflicts experienced within Bohemia.

Post-WWI Context

Following World War I and the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, the German-speaking territories of Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia found themselves within the newly established Czechoslovakia. This created a significant German minority within a predominantly Slavic state, setting the stage for future political tensions.

The German deputies attempted to negotiate union with German Austria, citing Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points on self-determination. However, the Paris Peace Conference ultimately decided to incorporate these German-majority lands into Czechoslovakia, a decision supported by the U.S. commission, prioritizing the state's territorial integrity.

Administrative Divisions

In the immediate aftermath of WWI, four regional governmental units were proclaimed by the German-speaking populations: the Province of German Bohemia, the Province of the Sudetenland (covering parts of Moravia and Austrian Silesia), the Bohemian Forest Region, and German South Moravia. These attempts at self-governance were ultimately superseded by the Treaty of Saint-Germain (1919), which affirmed the inclusion of these territories within Czechoslovakia.

World War I and Its Aftermath

War Casualties

The Sudetenland experienced a higher rate of war deaths during World War I compared to most other German-speaking areas of Austria-Hungary. The region's contribution to the war effort and its subsequent casualties were significant, reflecting the broader impact of the conflict on the empire.

Formation of Czechoslovakia

With the collapse of Austria-Hungary, Czechoslovakia was proclaimed in October 1918. The German-speaking deputies, invoking self-determination, sought union with German Austria. However, the Paris Peace Conference, influenced by diplomatic considerations, decided to integrate the German-inhabited borderlands into the new Czechoslovak state, creating a substantial German minority.

The U.S. commission, while acknowledging the Germans' right to self-determination, ultimately recommended their inclusion in Czechoslovakia to maintain the state's viability and avoid creating economically vulnerable enclaves.

Early Resistance and Pragmatism

Despite initial resistance to Czechoslovak rule, many Sudeten Germans recognized the economic interdependence of their industrial regions with Bohemia. Some industrialists feared competition from Germany and preferred Czechoslovak governance over annexation by Austria or Germany. This pragmatic view led a significant portion of the Sudeten German middle class to favor remaining within Czechoslovakia.

Within Czechoslovakia (1918–1938)

Demographic and Economic Realities

By the 1921 census, over 3.1 million German speakers constituted 23.4% of Czechoslovakia's population. The Great Depression significantly impacted the Sudetenland's export-dependent industries (glass, textiles, paper), leading to high unemployment among its predominantly German workforce. This economic hardship exacerbated existing ethnic tensions.

Cultural and Political Tensions

Throughout the 1920s and intensifying in the 1930s, political and cultural tensions persisted between the Czech majority and the German minority. The imposition of the Czech language in schools and public life, coupled with economic disparities, fueled discontent. This environment fostered the rise of populist and extremist movements, including German nationalism and irredentism.

Rise of Nationalism

The Sudeten German Party (SdP), led by Konrad Henlein, gained considerable popularity by advocating for greater autonomy and later, alignment with Nazi Germany. The party's demands, articulated in the Karlsbader Programm of April 1938, sought full equality for Sudeten Germans and eventually annexation by Germany, exploiting the political climate created by Hitler's aggressive foreign policy.

The Sudeten Crisis of 1938

Escalation and Demands

Following the Anschluss of Austria in March 1938, Hitler focused on the Sudetenland, positioning himself as the advocate for its German population. Konrad Henlein's Sudeten German Party agitated for autonomy, culminating in the Karlsbader Programm. The Czechoslovak government's acceptance of these demands proved insufficient to appease Hitler.

In August, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain dispatched Lord Runciman on a mission to mediate. Runciman's report acknowledged the Sudeten Germans' grievances but also noted their internal divisions and the complexity of finding a mutually agreeable solution.

The Munich Agreement

Hitler's demands escalated, including the immediate military occupation of Bohemia and Moravia. To avert war, a conference was convened in Munich on September 29, 1938, attended by Hitler, Chamberlain, and French Prime Minister Édouard Daladier. Without Czechoslovak representation, the Munich Agreement was signed, sanctioning the immediate cession of the Sudetenland to Germany.

The Czechoslovak government, facing overwhelming pressure, reluctantly accepted the terms. This agreement effectively dismantled Czechoslovakia's border defenses and paved the way for further German expansion.

Territorial Realignments

The Sudetenland was occupied by Germany between October 1 and 10, 1938. Concurrently, Poland annexed the disputed Zaolzie region, which had a Polish ethnic majority, from Czechoslovakia.

The Munich Agreement's consequences were dire: Germany occupied the Sudetenland, and in March 1939, invaded the remainder of Czechoslovakia, establishing the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. Slovakia declared independence as a German satellite state.

Sudetenland Under Nazi Rule

Administrative Reorganization

Following annexation, the Sudetenland was initially placed under military administration. By April 1939, it was reorganized into the Reichsgau Sudetenland, with Liberec (Reichenberg) as its capital. Konrad Henlein served as the Reichsstatthalter (Governor). The region was divided into administrative districts: Eger, Aussig, and Troppau.

Persecution and Gleichschaltung

The annexation led to immediate persecution of Jews and political opponents, including German socialists, communists, and pacifists. Synagogues were targeted, and many prominent Jews were sent to concentration camps. The process of Gleichschaltung (coordination) brought the region under strict Nazi control, fundamentally altering its social and political fabric.

The region demonstrated strong support for the Nazi regime, with a significant percentage of Sudeten Germans joining the Nazi Party, exceeding the national average. This political alignment underscored the region's integration into the Nazi state.

Role in Administration

Due to their knowledge of the Czech language, many Sudeten Germans were employed in the administration of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia and in Nazi organizations like the Gestapo. Karl Hermann Frank, a prominent SS and police general, served as Secretary of State in the Protectorate, highlighting the integration of Sudeten Germans into the Nazi apparatus.

Post-War Expulsions and Resettlement

The Potsdam Decision

Following World War II, the Potsdam Conference (1945) sanctioned the transfer of the Sudeten German population from Czechoslovakia. This decision was driven by the immense hostility towards Germans, many of whom had supported the Nazi regime.

The Berlin Declaration of June 5, 1945, legally invalidated Germany's annexation of the Sudetenland. The term "Sudetenland" was officially replaced by "border territory" (pohraniční území) in Czechoslovak communications.

Forced Displacement

In the spring and summer of 1945, an estimated 500,000 Germans were expelled. The Beneš decrees, enacted after the war, provided a legal framework for the expulsion of nearly all Germans. By 1950, only about 160,000 Germans remained in the Czech Republic, a fraction of the pre-war population.

While some Germans proven to be anti-Nazi and possessing essential skills were permitted to stay, they were later forcibly dispersed within the country. Many who remained eventually emigrated to West Germany.

Resettlement and Depopulation

The vacated Sudetenland was resettled primarily by Czechs, but also by Slovaks, Greeks (following the Greek Civil War), Carpathian Ruthenians, Romani people, and surviving Jews. However, certain areas, particularly those with strategic importance or designated as national parks, experienced significant depopulation. The establishment of border zones and fortifications along the Iron Curtain further impacted settlement patterns until the Velvet Revolution in 1989.

Related Topics

Further Reading

  • Areas annexed by Nazi Germany
  • British Committee for Refugees from Czechoslovakia
  • Flight and expulsion of Germans (1944–1950)
  • Republic of German-Austria
  • Germans in Czechoslovakia (1918–1938)
  • Pursuit of Nazi collaborators
  • Sudetenland Medal

Notes

Runciman Mission Report

Note that what Lord Runciman reported reflects his perspective on the situation at the time. His assessment of the Czechoslovak government's awareness and the potential outcomes may be subjective, but it provides insight into the diplomatic considerations of the period.

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References

References

  1.  Rothenburg, G. The Army of Francis Joseph. West Lafayette: Purdue University Press, 1976. p. 218.
  2.  Kárník, Zdeněk. České země v éře první republiky (1918–1938). Vol. 2. Prague 2002.
  3.  Zayas, Alfred Maurice de: Die Nemesis von Potsdam. Die Anglo-Amerikaner und die Vertreibung der Deutschen, überarb. u. erweit. Neuauflage, Herbig-Verlag, München, 2005.
  4.  http://filestore.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pdfs/large/cab-23-95.pdf p. 71; CC 39(38) p 4.
  5.  Zdeněk BeneÅ¡. Facing history: the evolution of Czech-German relations in the Czech provinces, 1848–1948. Gallery, 2002. p. 218.
A full list of references for this article are available at the Sudetenland Wikipedia page

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