The museum as an instrument of repolonization of Silesia: creating the image of the recovered territories (1948–1956)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2640.2025.160.12

Abstract

Background. Since its official opening in 1948, just three years after the end of the devastating World War II, the State Museum in Wroclaw has become a cultural center for settlers who have been living in the Recovered Territories – former German territories ceded to Poland as a result of the Potsdam Conference.  
Methods. The study is based on the principle of historicism and objectivity. A set of general scientific methods (synthesis, induction, analysis) and special historical methods (historical and typological method for analyzing the complex of expositions, exhibitions and educational programs of the museum) was used. 
Results. It has been established that the State Museum in Wroclaw played a significant role in the formation and dissemination of the state myth of the Recovered Territories in Poland during 1948–1956. Its expositions, exhibitions and educational programs were aimed at legitimizing territorial changes after the Second World War and integrating the western lands into Poland. The research material collected in this article shows 
that the museum became an important instrument of the government's historical policy, which used it to form national consciousness and patriotic feelings among the population. The arrangement of expositions and exhibitions was carried out in an organized manner, and its activities had a significant impact on the formation of the historical consciousness of the population of the Polish People's Republic.  
Conclusions. The museum exhibitions focused on the Polish character of Silesia, its centuries-old ties with Poland and the indigenous Slavic population. Despite the museum's significant contribution to the integration of the western territories, its activities also bore signs of 
propaganda. Exhibitions often omitted or downplayed the German period in Silesia's history, and historical facts were used to justify state ideology. The museum became an important center of culture for Polish immigrants, helping them to adapt to their new place of residence and integrate into society. In modern Poland, the activities of this museum during the period of the Polish People's Republic are assessed ambiguously. On the one hand, its role in preserving and promoting Polish history and culture is recognized. On the other hand, there is criticism of its propagandistic nature 
and distortion of historical facts. Nevertheless, the museum remains a valuable historical source that allows us to understand how the political regime of the time used historical policy to achieve its goals.