Die preußisch-deutsche Reichsgründung 1870/71 und die polnische Minderheit
The policies pursued by the Kingdom of Prussia and later by the German Reich towards the Polish minorities in the eastern provinces brought a sharpening of tension over the years. The languages policy designed to lead to assimilation of the Polish population into the German state and community was a...
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | German |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht
2002
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| In: |
Kirchliche Zeitgeschichte
Year: 2002, Volume: 15, Issue: 1, Pages: 24-51 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Parallel Edition: | Non-electronic
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| Summary: | The policies pursued by the Kingdom of Prussia and later by the German Reich towards the Polish minorities in the eastern provinces brought a sharpening of tension over the years. The languages policy designed to lead to assimilation of the Polish population into the German state and community was a failure. Instead it led to a strong reaction against German domination and to a strengthening of Polish self-organizing and consolidation of their cultural identity. Bismarck's idea of the cultural unity of the state and people was thus an impossible goal for the eastern provinces. In reality, the deep roots of Polish nationalism in all social groups and classes was only enhanced. So too the Prussian-German policy of immigrant settlements failed because of its inefficiency, and because of the Poles' response through the deliberate act of purchasing desirable properties. On the other hand, even Polish historians have to acknowledge the impact of the successful modernization process which resulted from German policy. This led to the final dissolution of feudal structures, the creation of modern infrastructures, including new methods of agriculture and of education. These social reforms, promoted by Prussia, prevented greater social tensions among the Polish population, and even increased their economic status vis-avia the German inhabitants. Military conscription, as well as the school systems, led to a closer association between Poles and Germans specially in such areas as Posen. Even the majority of Germans in these areas took a reserved view of the anti-Polish policies of their governments until shortly before the first world war. Most of the main Protestant newspapers and publications in Germany itself supported the government's views, and were largely noted for their anti-Catholic stance. So too Polish nationalism, which was suspected of being friendly to political liberalism, was strongly deplored. For the editors of such publications, the political divisions of Poland, despite the obvious denial of their ethnic rights, were regarded as part of God's providence, since Protestantism was seen as the champion of a more progressive culture, and later as a significant means of strengthening the German national character of the eastern provinces. But appeals for a commitment from the state to support Protestantism in these eastern diaspora situations fell on deaf ears. And only occasionally was there any self-criticism or examination as to why Protestantism was proving to be less attractive than Catholicism. Protestant attitudes were all too often formed by their anti-Polish stereotypes, which again were frequently generalized as part of the pejorative views about the so-called Slavic races, and the resulting belief in the superiority of German culture. The alleged cultural and political backwardness attributed to the Poles, and their supposedly heated national character with its readiness to engage in revolutionary activities against their rulers, were perceptions readily accepted by many German associations in the eastern provinces. But in fact they ignored the actual developments in Polish society in these areas, albeit in opposition to the Germanizing policies. |
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| ISSN: | 2196-808X |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Kirchliche Zeitgeschichte
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