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Pomeranian Voivodeship (1919-1939)
Encyclopedia
Pomeranian Voivodeship or Pomorskie Voivodeship was an administrative unit of inter-war Poland
(from 1919–1939). It ceased to exist in September 1939, following German
and Soviet aggression on Poland (see: Invasion of Poland
)
Most of its territory became part of current Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship
, which has the same capital — Toruń
— of the interwar voivodeship.
(made out of territories taken in Partitions of Poland
which was returned to Poland. Toruń
was the capital. In 1938–1939 the voivodeship extended to the south at the expense of Poznań Voivodeship
and Warsaw Voivodeship
, and was called Great Pomerania afterwards (see: Territorial changes of Polish Voivodeships on April 1, 1938
).
During World War II it was occupied by Nazi Germany
and unilaterally annexed as Reichsgau Danzig-Westpreussen "(Reich province of Danzig-West Prussia)." Poles and Jews were classified as untermenschen by German authorities, with their fate being slavery and extermination. In 1945 it returned into Polish possession. In 1945 out of its northern territory the new voivodeship of Gdańsk
was formed, including annexed territories of the Free City of Danzig
and of German Prussian Province of Pomerania and German Prussian Province of East Prussia
. The bulk of the old voivodeship was enlarged by annexed territories of the German Prussian Province of Pomerania and later renamed into Bydgoszcz
voivodeship. In the years 1975–1998 it was reorganized into the voivodeships of Gdańsk
, Elbląg
, Bydgoszcz
, Toruń
and Włocławek.
Pomorskie Voivodeship was one of the richest and best developed in interwar Poland. With numerous cities and well-developed rail, it also provided the country with access to the Baltic Sea
. Only 8.3% of population was illiterate, which was much lower than the national average of 23.1% (as for 1931). Poles made up majority of population (88%).
After World War I the number of Germans was 117,251 in 1926 and 107,555 in 1934. As of 1931 10.1% of the populace were ethnic Germans and 1.6% Jews
.
This is the list of the Pomorskie Voivodeship counties as for August 31, 1939:
Other more detailed estimates below:
Poland
Poland , 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...
(from 1919–1939). It ceased to exist in September 1939, following German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Soviet aggression on Poland (see: Invasion of Poland
Invasion of Poland (1939)
The Invasion of Poland, also known as the September Campaign or 1939 Defensive War in Poland and the Poland Campaign in Germany, was an invasion of Poland by Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small Slovak contingent that marked the start of World War II in Europe...
)
Most of its territory became part of current Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship
Kuyavian-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...
, which has the same capital — Toruń
Torun
Toruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is more than 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus....
— of the interwar voivodeship.
History
This was a unit of administration and local government in the Republic of Poland (II Rzeczpospolita) established in 1919 after World War I from the majority of the Prussian province of West PrussiaWest Prussia
West Prussia was a province of the Kingdom of Prussia from 1773–1824 and 1878–1919/20 which was created out of the earlier Polish province of Royal Prussia...
(made out of territories taken in Partitions of Poland
Partitions of Poland
The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in the second half of the 18th century and ended the existence of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, resulting in the elimination of sovereign Poland for 123 years...
which was returned to Poland. Toruń
Torun
Toruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is more than 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus....
was the capital. In 1938–1939 the voivodeship extended to the south at the expense of Poznań Voivodeship
Poznan Voivodeship
-1975 to 1998:From 1975 to 1998, Poznań Voivodeship was a unit of administrative division and local government in Poland, superseded by Greater Poland Voivodeship.Capital city: Poznań.Major cities and towns :...
and Warsaw Voivodeship
Warsaw Voivodeship
Warszawa Voivodeship was a unit of administrative division and local government in Poland in years 1975–1998, superseded by Masovian Voivodeship.Capital city: WarsawMajor cities and towns: :* Warsaw ;...
, and was called Great Pomerania afterwards (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 unilaterally annexed as Reichsgau Danzig-Westpreussen "(Reich province of Danzig-West Prussia)." Poles and Jews were classified as untermenschen by German authorities, with their fate being slavery and extermination. In 1945 it returned into Polish possession. In 1945 out of its northern territory the new voivodeship of Gdańsk
Gdansk Voivodeship
The name Gdańsk Voivodeship has been used twice to designate local governments in Poland.----Gdańsk Voivodeship was a unit of administrative division and local government in Poland in the years 1975–98, superseded by Pomeranian Voivodeship...
was formed, including annexed territories of the Free City of Danzig
Free City of Danzig
The Free City of Danzig was a semi-autonomous city-state that existed between 1920 and 1939, consisting of the Baltic Sea port of Danzig and surrounding areas....
and of German Prussian Province of Pomerania and German Prussian Province of East Prussia
East Prussia
East Prussia is the main part of the region of Prussia along the southeastern Baltic Coast from the 13th century to the end of World War II in May 1945. From 1772–1829 and 1878–1945, the Province of East Prussia was part of the German state of Prussia. The capital city was Königsberg.East Prussia...
. The bulk of the old voivodeship was enlarged by annexed territories of the German Prussian Province of Pomerania and later renamed into Bydgoszcz
Bydgoszcz Voivodeship
Bydgoszcz Voivodeship was a unit of administrative division and local government in Poland in the years 1975–1998, superseded by Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. Capital city: Bydgoszcz Area: Statistics : Population: inhabitants...
voivodeship. In the years 1975–1998 it was reorganized into the voivodeships of Gdańsk
Gdansk Voivodeship
The name Gdańsk Voivodeship has been used twice to designate local governments in Poland.----Gdańsk Voivodeship was a unit of administrative division and local government in Poland in the years 1975–98, superseded by Pomeranian Voivodeship...
, Elbląg
Elblag Voivodeship
Elbląg Voivodeship was a unit of administrative division and local government in Poland from 1975 to 1998, superseded by the Pomeranian Voivodeship and the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. Its capital city was Elbląg....
, Bydgoszcz
Bydgoszcz Voivodeship
Bydgoszcz Voivodeship was a unit of administrative division and local government in Poland in the years 1975–1998, superseded by Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. Capital city: Bydgoszcz Area: Statistics : Population: inhabitants...
, Toruń
Torun Voivodeship
Toruń Voivodeship was a unit of administrative division and local government in Poland in the years 1975–1998, superseded by the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. Its capital city was Toruń.-Major cities and towns :...
and Włocławek.
Area and counties
Between April 1, 1938 – September 1, 1939, the Voivodeship's area was 25 683 km², and its population - 1 884 400 (according to the 1931 census). It consisted of 28 powiats (counties), 64 cities and 234 villages. Railroad density was high, with 11.4 km. per 100 km² (total length of railroads within the Voivodeship's area was 1 887 km., second in the whole country). Forests covered 26.7% of the Voivodeship, which was higher than the national average (in 1937 the average was 22.2%).Pomorskie Voivodeship was one of the richest and best developed in interwar Poland. With numerous cities and well-developed rail, it also provided the country with access to the Baltic Sea
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
. Only 8.3% of population was illiterate, which was much lower than the national average of 23.1% (as for 1931). Poles made up majority of population (88%).
After World War I the number of Germans was 117,251 in 1926 and 107,555 in 1934. As of 1931 10.1% of the populace were ethnic Germans and 1.6% Jews
Jews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
.
This is the list of the Pomorskie Voivodeship counties as for August 31, 1939:
- BrodnicaBrodnicaBrodnica is a town in northern Poland with 27,400 inhabitants . Previously part of Toruń Voivodeship [a province], from 1975 to 1998, Brodnica has been situated in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship since 1999...
county (area 913 km², pop. 56 300), - city of Bydgoszcz county (area 75 km², pop. 117 200),
- Bydgoszcz county (area 1 334 km², pop. 58 100),
- Chełmno county (area 738 km², pop. 52 800),
- ChojniceChojniceChojnice is a town in northern Poland with 39 670 inhabitants , near famous Tuchola Forest, Lake Charzykowskie and many other water reservoirs. It is the capital of the Chojnice County....
county (area 1 854 km², pop. 76 900), - city of GdyniaGdyniaGdynia is a city in the Pomeranian Voivodeship of Poland and an important seaport of Gdańsk Bay on the south coast of the Baltic Sea.Located in Kashubia in Eastern Pomerania, Gdynia is part of a conurbation with the spa town of Sopot, the city of Gdańsk and suburban communities, which together...
county (area 66 km², pop. 38 600), - city of GrudziądzGrudziadzGrudziądz is a city in northern Poland on the Vistula River, with 96 042 inhabitants . Situated in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship , the city was previously in the Toruń Voivodeship .- History :-Early history:...
county (area 28 km², pop. 54 000), - GrudziądzGrudziadzGrudziądz is a city in northern Poland on the Vistula River, with 96 042 inhabitants . Situated in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship , the city was previously in the Toruń Voivodeship .- History :-Early history:...
county (area 758 km², pop. 42 800), - city of Inowrocław county (area 37 km², pop. 34 400),
- Inowrocław county (area 1 267 km², pop. 67 500),
- KartuzyKartuzyKartuzy is a town in the historic Eastern Pomerania region of northwestern Poland, located about west of Gdańsk with a population of 15,472...
county (area 1 302 km², pop. 68 700), - KościerzynaKoscierzynaKościerzyna is a town in Kashubia in Gdańsk Pomerania region, northern Poland, with some 24,000 inhabitants. It has been the capital of Kościerzyna County in Pomeranian Voivodeship since 1999; previously it was in Gdańsk Voivodeship from 1975 to 1998...
county (area 1 162 km², pop. 51 700), - LipnoLipnoLipno may refer to:* Lipno, Poland, a town in north-central Poland, seat of Lipno County*Lipno, Gmina Lipno in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship *Lipno, Świecie County in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship...
county (area 1 535 km², pop. 104 500), - LubawaLubawaLubawa is a town in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Poland. It is located in Iława County on the Sandela River, some 18 km southeast of Iława.-History:...
county (area 833 km², pop. 53 600), - sea county (powiat morski), with capital in WejherowoWejherowoWejherowo is a town in Gdańsk Pomerania, northern Poland, with 47,435 inhabitants . It has been the capital of Wejherowo County in Pomeranian Voivodeship since 1999; previously, it was a town in Gdańsk Voivodeship .-History:...
(area 1 281 km², pop. 79 900), - NieszawaNieszawaNieszawa is a town and a commune in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, in north-central Poland. As of June 30, 2004, the town has a population of 2,047 people....
county (area 1 278 km², pop. 117 900), - RypinRypinRypin is a town in Poland, in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, about 50 km east of Toruń. It is the capital of Rypin County. Population is 16,558 .-External links:**...
county (area 1 188 km², pop. 84 900), - Sepolno KrajenskieSepólno KrajenskieSępólno Krajeńskie is a town in Poland, in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, about 63 km northwest of Bydgoszcz. It is the capital of Sępólno County and has a population of 9,174 .-History:...
county (area 681 km², pop. 31 600), - Starogard GdańskiStarogard GdanskiStarogard Gdański is a town in Eastern Pomerania in northwestern Poland with 48,328 inhabitants...
county (area 1 127 km², pop. 71 800), - SzubinSzubinSzubin 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:...
county (area 917 km², pop. 47 800), - ŚwiecieSwiecieŚwiecie is a town in northern Poland with 25,968 inhabitants , situated in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship ; it was previously in Bydgoszcz Voivodeship . It is the capital of Świecie County.-History:...
county (area 1 533 km², pop. 88 000), - TczewTczewTczew is a town on the Vistula River in Eastern Pomerania, Kociewie, northern Poland with 60,279 inhabitants . It is an important railway junction with a classification yard dating to the Prussian Eastern Railway...
county (area 716 km², pop. 67 400), - city of ToruńTorunToruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is more than 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus....
county (area 59 km², pop. 61 900), - ToruńTorunToruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is more than 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus....
county (area 864 km², pop. 52 300), - TucholaTucholaTuchola is a town in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship in northern Poland. The Pomeranian town, which had a population of 13,976 as of 2004, is located close to the Tuchola Forests about 7t0 km north of Bydgoszcz, and is the seat of Tuchola County...
county (area 1 039 km², pop. 41 200), - WąbrzeźnoWabrzeznoWąbrzeźno is a town in Poland, in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, about 35 km northeast of Toruń. It is the capital of the Wąbrzeźno County...
county (area 673 km², pop. 49 900), - Włocławek county (area 1 325 km², pop. 147 800),
- WyrzyskWyrzyskWyrzysk is a town in Poland with 5,263 inhabitants, situated in Piła County, Greater Poland Voivodeship.- Geographic location of municipal-rural community of Wyrzysk:...
county (area 1 101 km², pop. 64 900).
Main cities
Biggest cities of the Voivodeship were (data according to the 1931 Polish census):- Bydgoszcz (pop. 117 200) - since 1938
- Toruń (pop. 61 900) - the capital
- Włocławek (pop. 56 000) - since 1938
- Grudziądz (pop. 54 000)
- Gdynia (pop. 38 600)
- Inowrocław (pop. 34 400) - since 1938
- Tczew (pop. 22 500)
- Chojnice (pop. 14 100)
German minority
According to Polish census figures the German minority in 1921 counted 18.8% of the overall population(with 175.771 Germans still remaining in Polish areas), while in 1931 it counted 9.6%(104.992 Germans remaining)Other more detailed estimates below:
| County (German name in brackets) |
ethnic German population (1926) | ethnic German population (1934) |
|---|---|---|
| Kościerzyna (Berent) Koscierzyna Kościerzyna is a town in Kashubia in Gdańsk Pomerania region, northern Poland, with some 24,000 inhabitants. It has been the capital of Kościerzyna County in Pomeranian Voivodeship since 1999; previously it was in Gdańsk Voivodeship from 1975 to 1998... |
6,884 | 5,974 |
| Wąbrzeźno (Briesen) Wabrzezno Wąbrzeźno is a town in Poland, in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, about 35 km northeast of Toruń. It is the capital of the Wąbrzeźno County... |
7,615 | 7,344 |
| Chełmno (Kulm) | 7,905 | 7,673 |
| Tczew (Dirschau) Tczew Tczew is a town on the Vistula River in Eastern Pomerania, Kociewie, northern Poland with 60,279 inhabitants . It is an important railway junction with a classification yard dating to the Prussian Eastern Railway... / Gniew (Mewe) Gniew Gniew is a town situated on the left bank of the Vistula River, in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland. It is located at around .-History:The first recorded mentions of Gniew appear in written documents from the first half of the 13th century, one of which refers to the region as Terra Gymeu... / Świecie (Schwetz) Swiecie Świecie is a town in northern Poland with 25,968 inhabitants , situated in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship ; it was previously in Bydgoszcz Voivodeship . It is the capital of Świecie County.-History:... |
20,446 | 17,571 |
| Grudziądz (Graudenz, town) Grudziadz Grudziądz is a city in northern Poland on the Vistula River, with 96 042 inhabitants . Situated in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship , the city was previously in the Toruń Voivodeship .- History :-Early history:... |
3,542 | 3,875 |
| Grudziądz (Graudenz, district) Grudziadz Grudziądz is a city in northern Poland on the Vistula River, with 96 042 inhabitants . Situated in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship , the city was previously in the Toruń Voivodeship .- History :-Early history:... |
9,317 | 8,190 |
| Kartuzy (Karthaus) Kartuzy Kartuzy is a town in the historic Eastern Pomerania region of northwestern Poland, located about west of Gdańsk with a population of 15,472... |
4,800 | 3,927 |
| Chojnice (Konitz) Chojnice Chojnice is a town in northern Poland with 39 670 inhabitants , near famous Tuchola Forest, Lake Charzykowskie and many other water reservoirs. It is the capital of the Chojnice County.... |
9,022 | 8,070 |
| Lubawa (Löbau) Lubawa Lubawa is a town in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Poland. It is located in Iława County on the Sandela River, some 18 km southeast of Iława.-History:... |
2,078 | 1,689 |
| Wejherowo (Neustadt) Wejherowo Wejherowo is a town in Gdańsk Pomerania, northern Poland, with 47,435 inhabitants . It has been the capital of Wejherowo County in Pomeranian Voivodeship since 1999; previously, it was a town in Gdańsk Voivodeship .-History:... / Puck (Putzig) Puck -Fictional characters:* Puck , a folklore character* Puck , a Shakespeare character** Puck, a Faeries character** Puck, a Gargoyles character** Puck, a Puck of Pook's Hill character... |
6,556 | 6,305 |
| Starogard Gdański (Pr. Stargard) Starogard Gdanski Starogard Gdański is a town in Eastern Pomerania in northwestern Poland with 48,328 inhabitants... |
2,909 | 3,418 |
| Toruń (Thorn, town) Torun Toruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is more than 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.... |
2,255 | 2,057 |
| Toruń (Thorn, district) Torun Toruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is more than 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.... |
7,107 | 6,738 |
| Tuchola (Tuchel) Tuchola Tuchola is a town in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship in northern Poland. The Pomeranian town, which had a population of 13,976 as of 2004, is located close to the Tuchola Forests about 7t0 km north of Bydgoszcz, and is the seat of Tuchola County... |
3,170 | 2,861 |
| Sępólno Krajeńskie (Zempelburg) Sepólno Krajenskie Sępólno Krajeńskie is a town in Poland, in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, about 63 km northwest of Bydgoszcz. It is the capital of Sępólno County and has a population of 9,174 .-History:... |
10,866 | 11,130 |
| Pomeranian Voivodship (total) | 117,251 | 107,555 |
Voivodes
- Stefan Łaszewski – 19 October 1919 – 2 July 1920
- Jan Brejski – 2 July 1920 – 24 March 1924
- Stanisław Wachowiak – 24 October 1924-August 1926
- Mieczysław Seydlitz – August 1926 – October 1926
- Kazimierz Młodzianowski – 12 October 1926 – 4 July 1928
- Wiktor Wrona-Lamot – 28 August 1928 – 18 November 1931
- Stefan Kirtiklis – 18 November 1931 – 14 July 1936
- Władysław Raczkiewicz – 16 July 1936 – 30 September 1939