The Silesian Sanation on the Great Economic Crisis of the 1930s

Abstract

Goal – the article analyzes the anti-crisis policy of the Silesian Sanation. In this challenging period for the economy, the Silesian provincial authorities had to counteract the crisis’s adverse effects and defend themselves against attacks from the opposition, mainly the Silesian Christian Democrats and socialists, who criticized their actions. Research methodology – source analysis, comparative, and description methods were used. This investigation is based on pre-and post-war studies on the discussed topic. Score/results – during the crisis years, the Silesian authorities extended the public works system and triggered the Polonization of the Silesian industry. Contrary to the central government, the active involvement of the state in economic life was accepted by the Silesian Sanation. The state was taking over indebted German enterprises because of the weakness of the Polish private capital. Originality/value – the article is based on source materials, i.e., Prints and Transcripts of the Silesian Parliament, materials from the National Christian Labor Union congresses, and the Sanation press. The Silesian Sanation stance towards interventionism was stated, which is often forgotten when writing about the government’s attitude (as a representative of the total authorities) to the state’s role in the economy.