Poznan Voivodeship (1921-1939)
Encyclopedia
Poznań Voivodeship was a unit of administrative division and local government in Poland in the years 1921–1939, created after World War I from the Prussian-German province of Poznań (Province of Posen
). The borders were changed in 1939: the city of Bydgoszcz passed to the Pomeranian Voivodeship
, but some Eastern areas were included (see: Territorial changes of Polish Voivodeships on April 1, 1938
).
During World War II it was occupied by Nazi Germany
and annexed as Reichsgau Wartheland
"(Reich province of the Land of the Warta river)." Poles and Jews were classified by German authorities as untermenschen and subjected to slavery and extermination.
Poznańskie Voivodeship was one of the richest and best developed in interwar Poland. With numerous cities and well-developed rail, it also was a breadbasket of the country, its highly efficient agriculture was well-mechanized. The city of Poznań was a big industrial center, as well as a key railroad junction. Only 7.6% of population was illiterate, which was much lower than the national average of 23.1% (as of 1931). Poles made up the majority of the population (90.5%), with 7.4% Germans
and 1.9% Jews.
After World War I the number of Germans was 224,254 in 1926 and 203,135 in 1934.
This is the list of the Poznań Voivodeship counties as for August 31, 1939:
Province of Posen
The Province of Posen was a province of Prussia from 1848–1918 and as such part of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918. The area was about 29,000 km2....
). The borders were changed in 1939: the city of Bydgoszcz passed to the Pomeranian Voivodeship
Pomeranian Voivodeship
Pomeranian Voivodeship, or Pomerania Province , is a voivodeship, or province, in north-central Poland. It comprises most of Pomerelia , as well as an area east of the Vistula River...
, but some Eastern areas were included (see: Territorial changes of Polish Voivodeships on April 1, 1938
Territorial changes of Polish Voivodeships on April 1, 1938
On April 1, 1938, borders of several western and central Voivodeships changed considerably. This included such Voivodeships as Pomerania, Poznan, Warsaw, Lodz, Bialystok, Lublin and Kielce. Pomerania gained most, while Bialystok lost most...
).
During World War II it was occupied by Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
and annexed as Reichsgau Wartheland
Reichsgau Wartheland
Reichsgau Wartheland was a Nazi German Reichsgau formed from Polish territory annexed in 1939. It comprised the Greater Poland and adjacent areas, and only in part matched the area of the similarly named pre-Versailles Prussian province of Posen...
"(Reich province of the Land of the Warta river)." Poles and Jews were classified by German authorities as untermenschen and subjected to slavery and extermination.
Area and counties
Between April 1, 1938 – September 1, 1939, the Voivodeship's area was 28 089 km², and its population - 2 339 600 (according to the 1931 Polish census). It consisted of 29 powiats (the highest number in Poland, however, most of them were very small, both in area and population), 100 towns (the highest number in Poland) and 237 villages. Railroad density was high, with 10.1 km. per 100 km² (total length of railroads within the Voivodeship's area was 2 684 km., the highest in the whole country). Forests covered 19.8% of the Voivodeship, which was lower than the national average (in 1937 the average was 22.2%).Poznańskie Voivodeship was one of the richest and best developed in interwar Poland. With numerous cities and well-developed rail, it also was a breadbasket of the country, its highly efficient agriculture was well-mechanized. The city of Poznań was a big industrial center, as well as a key railroad junction. Only 7.6% of population was illiterate, which was much lower than the national average of 23.1% (as of 1931). Poles made up the majority of the population (90.5%), with 7.4% Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
and 1.9% Jews.
After World War I the number of Germans was 224,254 in 1926 and 203,135 in 1934.
This is the list of the Poznań Voivodeship counties as for August 31, 1939:
- ChodzieżChodziezChodzież is a town in northwestern Poland with 20,400 inhabitants . Situated in the Chodzież County, Greater Poland Voivodeship , previously in Piła Voivodeship .-Geography:...
county (area 893 km², pop. 44 500), - CzarnkówCzarnkówCzarnków is a town in Poland in Czarnków-Trzcianka County in Greater Poland Voivodeship, previously in Piła Voivodeship . It has 12,000 inhabitants.The town lies on the Noteć river...
county (area 919 km², pop. 43 300), - city of GnieznoGnieznoGniezno is a city in central-western Poland, some 50 km east of Poznań, inhabited by about 70,000 people. One of the Piasts' chief cities, it was mentioned by 10th century A.D. sources as the capital of Piast Poland however the first capital of Piast realm was most likely Giecz built around...
county (area 18 km², pop. 30 700), - Gniezno county (area 1 126 km², pop. 57 300),
- GostyńGostynGostyń is a town in Greater Poland Voivodeship , in Gostyń County. According to 30 June 2004 data its population was 20,746.-Geography:Gostyń is located at 17°01' East and 51°53' North....
county (area 701 km², pop. 55 900), - JarocinJarocinJarocin Jarocin Jarocin ( is a town in central Poland with 25,700 inhabitants (1995). Since 1999 Jarocin has been located in the Greater Poland Voivodeship, prior to that it was located in the Kalisz Voivodeship (1975–1998).- History :...
county (area 1 124 km², pop. 87 500), - KaliszKaliszKalisz is a city in central Poland with 106,857 inhabitants , the capital city of the Kalisz Region. Situated on the Prosna river in the southeastern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, the city forms a conurbation with the nearby towns of Ostrów Wielkopolski and Nowe Skalmierzyce...
county (area 1 478 km², pop. 196 700), - KępnoKepnoKępno is a town in Poland. It lies on the outskirts of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, as it borders on Silesia and the Łódz Land, at the crossing point of two transport routes: north to south and east to west . As of December 31, 2009 Kępno had a population of 14,760...
county (area 1 179 km², pop. 86 900), - Koło county (area 1 097 km², pop. 109 800),
- KoninKoninKonin is a city in central Poland.Konin may also refer to:*Emperor Kōnin , emperor of Japan who reigned 770–781**Kōnin , a Japanese era name for the years 810–824...
county (area 2 152 km², pop. 168 000), - KościanKoscianKościan is a town on the Obra canal in west-central Poland, with a population of 24 059 inhabitants in June 2009. Situated in the Greater Poland Voivodeship , previously in Leszno Voivodeship , it is the capital of Kościan County...
county (area 1 057 km², pop. 78 900), - KrotoszynKrotoszynKrotoszyn is a town in central Poland with 30,010 inhabitants . It has been part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship since 1999; it was within Kalisz Voivodeship from 1975 to 1998....
county (area 915 km², pop. 75 500), - LesznoLesznoLeszno is a town in central Poland with 63,955 inhabitants . Situated in the southern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship since 1999, it was previously the capital of the Leszno Voivodeship . The town has county status.-History:...
county (area 827 km², pop. 61 200), - MiędzychódMiedzychódMiędzychód is a town in Greater Poland Voivodeship, Poland, about 75 km west of Poznań. It is the capital of Międzychód County. Population is 10,920 .-Notable residents:* Manuel Joël , philosopher...
county (area 755 km², pop. 31 000), - MogilnoMogilnoMogilno is a town in central Poland, situated in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship , previously in Bydgoszcz Voivodeship .-History:...
county (area 1 059 km², pop. 70 300), - Nowy TomyślNowy TomyslNowy Tomyśl is a town in western Poland, in Greater Poland Voivodeship. It is the capital of Nowy Tomyśl County. The population is 15,627 ....
county (area 1 276 km², pop. 87 300), - ObornikiObornikiOborniki is a town in Poland, in Greater Poland Voivodeship, about 30 km north of Poznań. It is the capital of Oborniki County and of Gmina Oborniki. Its population is 18,176 .-External links:* *...
county (area 966 km², pop. 50 400), - Ostrów WielkopolskiOstrów WielkopolskiOstrów Wielkopolski is a town in central Poland with 72,360 inhabitants , situated in the Greater Poland Voivodeship; the seat of Ostrów Wielkopolski County.-History:Recently, a small fortified dwelling dating from the 10th century was discovered on the north-east side of...
county (area 1 194 km², pop. 104 100), - city of PoznańPoznanPoznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
county (area 77 km², pop. 246 500), - PoznańPoznanPoznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
county (area 1 227 km², pop. 91 200), - RawiczRawiczRawicz is a town in central Poland with 21,398 inhabitants . It is situated in the Greater Poland Voivodeship ; previously it was in Leszno Voivodeship . It is the capital of Rawicz County.-History:...
county (area 523 km², pop. 49 900), - Szamotuły county (area 1 076 km², pop. 67 700),
- Środa WielkopolskaSroda WielkopolskaŚroda Wielkopolska is a town in central Poland, about southeast of Poznań, with 22,001 inhabitants .-Overview:It is situated in Greater Poland Voivodeship, having previously been in the former Poznań Voivodeship...
county (area 800 km², pop. 49 900), - SremSremŚrem is a town on the Warta river in central Poland. It has been situated in the Greater Poland Voivodeship since 1999; from 1975 to 1998 it was part of the Poznań Voivodeship...
county (area 921 km², pop. 57 300), - TurekTurekTurek is a town in central Poland with 29 522 inhabitants . It is the capital of Turek County.Turek is situated in the Greater Poland Voivodeship ; it was previously in Konin Voivodeship .-History:...
county (area 1 591 km², pop. 130 500), - WągrowiecWagrowiecWągrowiec is a town in northwestern Poland, 50 km from both Poznań and Bydgoszcz. Since the 18th century it has been the a seat of a powiat. It is currently attached to the Greater Poland Voivodeship...
county (area 1 037 km², pop. 54 300), - WolsztynWolsztynWolsztyn is a town in western Poland, on the western edge of Greater Poland Voivodeship...
county (area 754 km², pop. 47 900), - WrześniaWrzesniaWrześnia is a town in central Poland with 28,600 inhabitants . It is situated in the Września County, Greater Poland Voivodeship , previously in Poznań Voivodeship , on the Wrzesnica River.- History :...
county (area 608 km², pop. 43 700), - ŻninŻninŻnin is a small town in Poland with a population of 14,558 . It is in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship and is the capital of Żnin County. The town is situated in the historic land of Pałuki and the Gniezno Lake Area on the river Gąsawka.-Etymology:The name originates from the Polish word...
county (area 739 km², pop. 41 500).
Main cities
The biggest cities of the Voivodeship were (data according to the 1931 census):- Poznań (pop. 246 500),
- Kalisz (pop. 68 300),
- Gniezno (pop. 30 700),
- Ostrów Wielkopolski (pop. 24 400),
- Leszno (pop. 19 400),
- Koło (pop. 13 800)
- Krotoszyn (pop. 13 000),
- Konin (pop. 10 300).
German minority
According to Polish census in 1921 there were 16.7% Germans in Polish areas(327.846 overall) and 9.2% in 1931(193.044 overall)| County (German name in brackets) |
ethnic German population (1926) | ethnic German population (1934) |
|---|---|---|
| Odolanów (Adelnau) Odolanów Odolanów is a town in the Greater Poland Voivodeship of Poland, about 10 km south-west from Ostrów Wielkopolski, with over 5000 inhabitants.-History:... |
10,038 | 9,442 |
| Międzychód (Birnbaum) Miedzychód Międzychód is a town in Greater Poland Voivodeship, Poland, about 75 km west of Poznań. It is the capital of Międzychód County. Population is 10,920 .-Notable residents:* Manuel Joël , philosopher... |
4,655 | 4,377 |
| Bydgoszcz (Bromberg, town) | 11,016 | 10,021 |
| Bydgoszcz (Bromberg, district) | 13,281 | 12,211 |
| Czarnków (Czarnikau) Czarnków Czarnków is a town in Poland in Czarnków-Trzcianka County in Greater Poland Voivodeship, previously in Piła Voivodeship . It has 12,000 inhabitants.The town lies on the Noteć river... |
5,511 | 4,773 |
| Gniezno (Gnesen) Gniezno Gniezno is a city in central-western Poland, some 50 km east of Poznań, inhabited by about 70,000 people. One of the Piasts' chief cities, it was mentioned by 10th century A.D. sources as the capital of Piast Poland however the first capital of Piast realm was most likely Giecz built around... |
8,616 | 7,876 |
| Gostyń (Gostyn) Gostyn Gostyń is a town in Greater Poland Voivodeship , in Gostyń County. According to 30 June 2004 data its population was 20,746.-Geography:Gostyń is located at 17°01' East and 51°53' North.... |
2,395 | 2,162 |
| Grodzisk Wielkopolski (Grätz) Grodzisk Wielkopolski Grodzisk Wielkopolski is a town in western Poland, in Greater Poland Voivodeship , with a population of 13,703 . It is south-west of Poznań, the voivodeship capital. It is the seat of Grodzisk Wielkopolski County, and also of the smaller administrative district called Gmina Grodzisk Wielkopolski... / Nowy Tomyśl (Neutomischel) Nowy Tomysl Nowy Tomyśl is a town in western Poland, in Greater Poland Voivodeship. It is the capital of Nowy Tomyśl County. The population is 15,627 .... |
16,576 | 16,555 |
| Inowrocław (Hohensalza) | 8,455 | 8,096 |
| Jarocin (Jarotschin) Jarocin Jarocin Jarocin Jarocin ( is a town in central Poland with 25,700 inhabitants (1995). Since 1999 Jarocin has been located in the Greater Poland Voivodeship, prior to that it was located in the Kalisz Voivodeship (1975–1998).- History :... / Pleszew (Pleschen) Pleszew Pleszew is a town in Poland, in Greater Poland Voivodeship, about 90 km southeast of Poznań. It is the capital of Pleszew County... |
4,667 | 4,019 |
| Kępno (Kempen) Kepno Kępno is a town in Poland. It lies on the outskirts of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, as it borders on Silesia and the Łódz Land, at the crossing point of two transport routes: north to south and east to west . As of December 31, 2009 Kępno had a population of 14,760... / Ostrzeszów (Schildberg) Ostrzeszów Ostrzeszów is a town in Poland, in Greater Poland Voivodeship. It is the capital of Ostrzeszów County . The population is 14,490 .... |
16,631 | 10,889 |
| Chodzież (Kolmar) Chodziez Chodzież is a town in northwestern Poland with 20,400 inhabitants . Situated in the Chodzież County, Greater Poland Voivodeship , previously in Piła Voivodeship .-Geography:... |
14,246 | 12,348 |
| Koźmin (Koschmin) / Krotoszyn (Krotoschin) Krotoszyn Krotoszyn is a town in central Poland with 30,010 inhabitants . It has been part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship since 1999; it was within Kalisz Voivodeship from 1975 to 1998.... |
6,542 | 5,807 |
| Leszno (Lissa) Leszno Leszno is a town in central Poland with 63,955 inhabitants . Situated in the southern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship since 1999, it was previously the capital of the Leszno Voivodeship . The town has county status.-History:... |
9,917 | 8,371 |
| Mogilno (Mogilno) Mogilno Mogilno is a town in central Poland, situated in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship , previously in Bydgoszcz Voivodeship .-History:... / Strzelno (Strelno) Strzelno Strzelno is a town in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland. The town is located south of Inowrocław. According to the June 2005 Census, the population numbered 12,486.-History:... |
8,727 | 7,770 |
| Oborniki (Obornik) Oborniki Oborniki is a town in Poland, in Greater Poland Voivodeship, about 30 km north of Poznań. It is the capital of Oborniki County and of Gmina Oborniki. Its population is 18,176 .-External links:* *... |
9,417 | 8,410 |
| Poznań (Posen, town) Poznan Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be... |
5,980 | 4,387 |
| Poznań (Posen, district) Poznan Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be... |
4,687 | 4,252 |
| Rawicz (Rawitsch) Rawicz Rawicz is a town in central Poland with 21,398 inhabitants . It is situated in the Greater Poland Voivodeship ; previously it was in Leszno Voivodeship . It is the capital of Rawicz County.-History:... |
6,184 | 5,038 |
| Szamotuły (Samter) | 5,029 | 4,841 |
| Śmigiel (Schmiegel) Smigiel Śmigiel is a town in Kościan County, Greater Poland Voivodeship, Poland, with 5,420 inhabitants .While part of the Prussian Province of Posen, the town was administered within Kreis Schmiegel.-People:... / Kościan (Kosten) Koscian Kościan is a town on the Obra canal in west-central Poland, with a population of 24 059 inhabitants in June 2009. Situated in the Greater Poland Voivodeship , previously in Leszno Voivodeship , it is the capital of Kościan County... |
3,636 | 3,488 |
| Śrem (Schrimm) Srem Śrem is a town on the Warta river in central Poland. It has been situated in the Greater Poland Voivodeship since 1999; from 1975 to 1998 it was part of the Poznań Voivodeship... |
2,802 | 3,574 |
| Środa Wielkopolska (Schroda) Sroda Wielkopolska Środa Wielkopolska is a town in central Poland, about southeast of Poznań, with 22,001 inhabitants .-Overview:It is situated in Greater Poland Voivodeship, having previously been in the former Poznań Voivodeship... |
2,269 | 2,029 |
| Szubin (Schubin) Szubin Szubin is a town in Nakło County, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland, located southwest of Bydgoszcz. As of 12 December 2004 it had a population of 9354.-History:... |
10,193 | 8,879 |
| Wyrzysk (Wirsitz) Wyrzysk Wyrzysk is a town in Poland with 5,263 inhabitants, situated in Piła County, Greater Poland Voivodeship.- Geographic location of municipal-rural community of Wyrzysk:... |
13,495 | 12,410 |
| Wolsztyn (Wollstein) Wolsztyn Wolsztyn is a town in western Poland, on the western edge of Greater Poland Voivodeship... |
10,369 | 9,313 |
| Wągrowiec (Wongrowitz) Wagrowiec Wągrowiec is a town in northwestern Poland, 50 km from both Poznań and Bydgoszcz. Since the 18th century it has been the a seat of a powiat. It is currently attached to the Greater Poland Voivodeship... |
8,401 | 7,143 |
| Września (Wreschen) Wrzesnia Września is a town in central Poland with 28,600 inhabitants . It is situated in the Września County, Greater Poland Voivodeship , previously in Poznań Voivodeship , on the Wrzesnica River.- History :... |
2,436 | 2,115 |
| Żnin (Znin) Żnin Żnin is a small town in Poland with a population of 14,558 . It is in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship and is the capital of Żnin County. The town is situated in the historic land of Pałuki and the Gniezno Lake Area on the river Gąsawka.-Etymology:The name originates from the Polish word... |
5,404 | 4,539 |
| Poznań Voivodship (total) | 224,254 | 203,135 |
Voivodes
- Wojciech TrąmpczyńskiWojciech TrampczynskiWojciech Stefan Trąmpczyński was a Polish lawyer and National Democratic politician. Voivode of the Poznań Voivodeship in 1919. He served as marshal of the Sejm of Poland from 1919–1922 and Senate of Poland from 1922 to 1928....
1 August 1919 – 23 October 1919 - Witold Celichowski 1 August 1919 – 2 January 1923
- Adolf BnińskiAdolf BnińskiAdolf Bniński was a Polish agricultural, conservative and royalist activist. He was Voivode of Poznań from 1923-1928 and a member of the Senate of Poland in the Second Polish Republic. In the aftermath of the German invasion of Poland he was the Government Delegate for Poland for the Polish...
10 January 1923 – 9 May 1928 - Piotr Dunin-Borkowski 9 May 1928 – 11 October 1929
- Roger Adam Raczyński 11 October 1929 – 31 July 1934
- Stanisław Kaucki 1 August 1934 – 15 January 1935 (acting)
- Artur Maruszewski 16 June 1935 – 23 June 1935
- Mikołaj Kwaśniewski 26 June 1935 – 13 September 1935
- Tadeusz Walicki 19 September 1935 – 29 October 1935 (acting)
- Artur Maruszewski 29 October 1935 – 19 May 1939
- Ludwik Bociański 19 May 1939 – 12 September 1939
- Cyryl RatajskiCyryl RatajskiCyryl Ratajski was a Polish politician and lawyer.He was the president of Poznań in the years 1922-1924, 1925-1934 and in September 1939. In the years 1924-1925 he was the Polish Minister of the Interior.From 1937 he was a member of Labour Party, Stronnictwo Pracy...
4 September 1939 – 12 September 1939 (acting)
See also
- PolandPolandPoland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
's current Greater PolandGreater Poland VoivodeshipWielkopolska Voivodeship , or Greater Poland Voivodeship, is a voivodeship, or province, in west-central Poland. It was created on 1 January 1999 out of the former Poznań, Kalisz, Konin, Piła and Leszno Voivodeships, pursuant to the Polish local government reforms adopted in 1998...
and Kuyavian-PomeranianKuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship-Transportation:Transportation infrastructure is of critical importance to the voivodeship's economy. Kuyavia-Pomerania is a major node point in the Polish transportation system. Railway lines from the South and East pass through Bydgoszcz in order to reach the major ports on the Baltic Sea...
VoivodeshipsVoivodeships of PolandThe voivodeship, or province, called in Polish województwo , has been a high-level administrative subdivision of Poland since the 14th century....