Bielitz District


Bielitz District was a political district in Austrian Silesia of the Austrian Empire existing between 1850–1855 and 1868–1920. Its administrative center was the city of Bielitz.

History

led to various social, legal and also administrative reforms. In late December 1849, Austrian Silesia was re-established and was initially subdivided into seven political districts, including one with the seat in Bielitz. Political districts were additionally divided into legal districts. Bielitz political district consisted of three legal districts: Bielitz, Skotschau and Schwarzwasser. In the era of Bach's neo-absolutism political districts were abolished and replaced by district offices encompassing territories of the abolished legal districts. Political districts were re-established in 1868. Two years later the town of Bielitz was excluded from the district to form statutory city, but remained the seat of the district. After this the area of the district did not change significantly and up to 1920 was encompassing 758 km² divided into 67 municipalities.
According to the censuses conducted in 1880, 1890, 1900 and 1910 the population was as follows:
1880189019001910
Bielitz legal district23,43625,75328,40036,654
Polish-speaking14,544 16,181 17,323 20,286
Czech-speaking52 89 146 403
German-speaking8,670 9,191 10,559 13.495
Skotschau legal district30,03530,94432,41833,127
Polish-speaking28,108 28,947 29,747 30,114
Czech-speaking178 96 151 159
German-speaking1,607 1,758 2,255 2,706
Schwarzwasser legal district13,86214,64214,77515,054
Polish-speaking13,161 13,564 13,364 13,180
Czech-speaking38 76 109 101
German-speaking476 729 963 1,430

Traditionally the territory of those two legal districts was inhabited partly by Cieszyn Vlachs especially around Skotschau, speaking Cieszyn Silesian and Bielsko with surrounding villages was forming a German language island. The results of those censuses and factors shaping national identity of the local population became a perennial subject of the political squabbles in the region. In addition to the Polish and German national orientations there was another group living in the area, the Ślązakowcy, who advocated a distinct Silesian national identity. Throughout Cieszyn Silesia this group enjoyed especially popular support among Protestants living in the district.
Additionally in terms of religion in 1910 the population with permanent residence consisted of Roman Catholics, Protestants, Jews.
After World War I and fall of Austria-Hungary the region of Cieszyn Silesia including the territory of Bielitz political district became disputed land between Czechoslovakia and Poland. Local Germans also had a different aspirations. This led to Polish–Czechoslovak War and the division of the region and district on 28 July 1920, by a decision of the Spa Conference. The district of Bielitz/Bielsko as a whole became a part of Poland and was transformed into Bielsko County, without excluded part of municipalities of the former Skotschau/Skoczów legal district that were transferred to Cieszyn County.

Municipal division

As of 1910:
;Bielitz legal district
  1. Alexanderfeld
  2. Alt Bielitz
  3. Batzdorf
  4. Bistrai
  5. Braunau
  6. Czechowitz
  7. Dziedzitz
  8. Ellgoth
  9. Ernsdorf
  10. Heinzendorf
  11. Kamitz
  12. Nieder Kurzwald
  13. Ober Kurzwald
  14. Lobnitz
  15. Matzdorf
  16. Nikelsdorf
  17. Zabrzeg
;Schwarzwasser legal district
  1. Bonkau
  2. Chybi
  3. Drahomischl
  4. Fröhlichhof
  5. Illownitz
  6. Landek
  7. Mnich
  8. Ochab
  9. Pruchna
  10. Riegersdorf
  11. Schwarzwasser
  12. Zablacz
  13. Zaborz
  14. Zarzicz
  15. Zbitkau
;Skotschau legal district
  1. Baumgarten
  2. Bielowitzko
  3. Brenna
  4. Godzischau
  5. Golleschau
  6. Grodzietz
  7. Klein Gurek
  8. Gross Gurek
  9. Harbutowitz
  10. Hermanice, Ustroń|Hermanice|Hermanitz
  11. Iskrzyczyn
  12. Kisielau
  13. Kitschitz
  14. Kostkowitz
  15. Kowali
  16. Nieder Kozakowitz
  17. Ober Kozakowitz
  18. Lazy
  19. Lippowetz
  20. Lonczka
  21. Miendzyswietz
  22. Nierodzim
  23. Perstetz
  24. Pogorz
  25. Rostropitz
  26. Schimoradz
  27. Skotschau
  28. Swientoszuwka
  29. Ustron M.
  30. Weichsel
  31. Wieszczont
  32. Willamowitz
  33. Wislitz
  34. Zeislowitz