Ukrainians and Belarusians in Interwar Poland: Ethnic Distribution and Population Statistics

The period following the partitions of Poland and leading up to World War II saw significant changes in the ethnic makeup of the territory that is now Western Ukraine. Understanding the demographics during the interwar period is crucial for comprehending the complex political and social landscape that shaped this region. This article explores the numbers of Ukrainians and Belarusians living in Poland before World War II, focusing on key data points and facets of the ethnic distribution.

Urbanization and Linguistic Composition

The urban landscape of pre-war Poland, particularly in the area that now constitutes Western Ukraine, was marked by a diverse linguistic and ethnic composition. The Lviv Voivodeship, for example, within the borders of 1939, had a population of 3,126,300 people by 1931. Among the various ethnic communities living there:

Polish speakers numbered 1,606,823, representing about 51.5% of the population. Ruthenian speakers (Ukrainian) comprised 476,743 (15.2%). Ukrainians in Volhynia Voivodeship constituted 68% of the population. Jewish or Hebrew speakers numbered 157,622 (5%). German speakers amounted to 9,601 (0.3%).

Volhynia Voivodeship: A Ukrainian Majority

The Volhynia Voivodeship, situated in the region that is now largely part of Ukraine, exhibited a different demographic profile. Here, Ukrainians made up 68% of the population, reflecting a clear Ukrainian majority. This regional distribution is indicative of the complex nature of the ethnic dynamics within Poland during the interwar period.

Belarusians in Poland: A Lesser Majority

Belarusians, while significant in number within certain regions, found themselves in a smaller minority. According to the 1931 census, the total population of Poland stood at approximately 32 million. Ethnic Belarusians numbered 995,000, which was 3.1% of the total population. Among them, 580,000 declared Polish ethnicity, known as Poleshuks, adding another layer of complexity to the regional ethnic composition.

Ethnic and Linguistic Diversity in Voivodeships

A detailed look at the linguistic composition in the various voivodeships reveals a diverse mosaic of languages and ethnicities. For instance:

In the Lviv Voivodeship, the distribution of languages was as follows: Polish (58%), Ukrainian (34%), Yiddish (8%). In the Nowogrodek Voivodeship, the breakdown was: Polish (53%), Belarusian (39%), Yiddish (7%), and Russian (1%). In the Polesie Voivodeship, Tutejsi (indigenous) made up 53% of the population, with smaller percentages of Polish (14%), Yiddish (10%), Belarusian (6%), and Ukrainian (5%). In the Stanisawów Voivodeship, Ukrainian speakers were in the majority, comprising 69% of the population, followed by Polish (23%) and Yiddish (7%). In the Tarnopol Voivodeship, the population was split roughly equally among Polish (49%), Ukrainian (46%), and Yiddish (5%). In the Wilno Voivodeship, Polish speakers dominated (60%), but the region also had a significant Belarusian presence (23%) and a smaller Yiddish, Russian, and other minority groups (8% combined). In the Volhynia Voivodeship, as mentioned earlier, Ukrainians were the majority (68%), with Polish (17%) and Yiddish (10%) speakers as significant minorities. In the Bielsk Voivodeship, the distribution was: Polish (67%), Belarusian (16%), Yiddish (12%), Russian (3%), and other (2%).

Operation Vistula and Its Implications

Post-World War II events also had a lasting impact on the ethnic distribution in the region. Following the operation of deportation known as Operation Vistula, approximately 500,000 Ukrainians were expelled from Poland to Soviet territory, while about 141,000 Sub-Ukrainian Lemkos were "voluntarily resettled" within Poland. This resettlement was part of a broader strategy to reduce support for Ukrainian insurgent movements (the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, UPA).

These figures are illustrative of the significant demographic shifts and the political measures taken by the Polish government to alter the ethnic composition of the region.

Conclusion

The interwar period in Poland, particularly in the territories that are now part of Western Ukraine, was marked by a rich and diverse ethnic landscape. While the majority of Ukrainians lived in certain regions, the overall picture was one of coexistence and complexity. The post-war operations further reshaped the demographics, bringing about significant changes to the ethnic distribution.

Understanding these historical dynamics is essential for grasping the current political and social context of the region and for appreciating the historical roots of ongoing ethnic and cultural identities.