Germany / Upper Silesia year 1920 ☀ 5m Oberschlesien MNH** stamp
Upper Silesia, historically known as Oberschlesien in German, is a region located in central Europe, primarily in present-day Poland, but historically also extending into parts of the Czech Republic. However, due to historical and geopolitical changes, much of Upper Silesia is now within the borders of Poland.
During the early 20th century, Upper Silesia was a highly industrialized and ethnically diverse region, with significant populations of Germans, Poles, and other ethnic groups. This diversity led to tensions and conflicts, particularly during the period surrounding World War I and its aftermath.
Following World War I, the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 established a plebiscite to determine the future sovereignty of Upper Silesia. This plebiscite resulted in a partition of the region, with the majority of the territory being awarded to Poland, while smaller portions were retained by Germany and Czechoslovakia.
