Territorial losses of Germany in the 20th century
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This article lists territories, administrative divisions, and populated places that were part of the German Empire, the Weimar Republic, and Nazi Germany, but were transferred to other countries as a result of the First and Second World Wars.
Europe
The tables below list the territorial changes of Germany following the First World War, namely the administrative units (German: Kreise) that Germany lost in accordance with the Treaty of Versailles. In some cases, larger administrative units (German: Bezirke) are also included.
Alsace and Lorraine
Alsace and Lorraine (in the German Empire — the Imperial Territory of Alsace-Lorraine, German: Reichsland Elsaß-Lothringen) were lost to France, namely:
Lorraine
The district of Lorraine (German: Bezirk Lothringen) with its capital in the city of Metz, consisting of the following administrative districts (German: Kreise):
| District (Kreis) | Capital |
|---|---|
| Urban district of Metz (German: Stadtkreis Metz) and surrounding area (German: Landkreis Metz) | Metz |
| District of Bolchen (German: Kreis Bolchen) | Boulay-Moselle |
| District of Château-Salins (German: Kreis Château-Salins) | Château-Salins |
| District of Diedenhofen (German: Kreis Diedenhofen), divided in 1901 into Western and Eastern parts | Thionville |
| District of Forbach (German: Kreis Forbach) | Forbach |
| District of Saarburg (German: Kreis Saarburg) | Sarrebourg |
| District of Saargemünd (German: Kreis Saargemünd) | Sarreguemines |
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Lower Alsace
Lower Alsace (German: Bezirk Unterelsaß) with its capital in the city of Strasbourg, consisting of the following districts (German: Kreise):
| District (Kreis) | Capital |
|---|---|
| District of Erstein (German: Kreis Erstein) | Erstein |
| District of Hagenau (German: Kreis Hagenau) | Haguenau |
| District of Molsheim (German: Kreis Molsheim) | Molsheim |
| District of Schlettstadt (German: Kreis Schlettstadt) | Sélestat |
| District of Strasbourg (German: Kreis Straßburg) and surrounding area (German: Landkreis Straßburg) | Strasbourg |
| District of Weißenburg (German: Kreis Weißenburg) | Wissembourg |
| District of Zabern (German: Kreis Zabern) | Saverne |
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Upper Alsace
Upper Alsace (German: Bezirk Oberelsaß) with its capital in the city of Colmar, consisting of the following districts (German: Kreise):
| District (Kreis) | Capital |
|---|---|
| District of Altkirch (German: Kreis Altkirch) | Altkirch |
| District of Colmar (German: Kreis Colmar) | Colmar |
| District of Gebweiler (German: Kreis Gebweiler) | Guebwiller |
| District of Mülhausen (German: Kreis Mülhausen) | Mulhouse |
| District of Rappoltsweiler (German: Kreis Rappoltsweiler) | Ribeauvillé |
| District of Thann (German: Kreis Thann) | Thann |
Saar
Saar was placed under the administration of the League of Nations as a result of the First World War (in 1935, following a referendum, the Saar was returned to Nazi Germany).
Schleswig
Schleswig was divided between Germany and Denmark following two referendums — Northern Schleswig was returned to Denmark, namely:
| District (Kreis) | Capital |
|---|---|
| District of Hadersleben (German: Kreis Hadersleben) | Haderslev |
| District of Apenrade (German: Kreis Apenrade) | Aabenraa |
| District of Sonderburg (German: Kreis Sonderburg) | Sønderborg |
| District of Tondern (German: Kreis Tondern) (partially transferred to Denmark; the southern part remained in Germany) | Tønder |
Eupen and Malmedy
Eupen and Malmedy (near Aachen) were transferred to Belgium[note 1].
| District (Kreis) | Capital |
|---|---|
| District of Eupen (German: Kreis Eupen) | Eupen |
| District of Malmedy (German: Kreis Malmedy) | Malmedy |
Province of Posen (partially)
Most of the Province of Posen was transferred to the re-established Poland[1][2]. A part of the former province of Posen remained within Germany during the interwar period, becoming part of the Prussian province of Province of Posen–West Prussia.
Administratively, the province of Posen in the German Empire was divided into two administrative regions (German: Regierungsbezirk) — the Regierungsbezirk of Posen and the Regierungsbezirk of Bromberg.
Regierungsbezirk Posen
From the Regierungsbezirk of Posen, the following territories were transferred to Poland:
| District (Kreis) | Capital |
|---|---|
| Urban district of Posen (German: Stadtkreis Posen) with surrounding districts: Posen-East (German: Kreis Posen-Ost), Posen-West (German: Kreis Posen-West) | Poznań |
| District of Adelnau (German: Kreis Adelnau) | Odolanów |
| District of Birnbaum (German: Kreis Birnbaum) | Międzychód |
| District of Bomst (German: Kreis Bomst) (partially: two-thirds of the district of Bomst (740 km2) were transferred to newly created Poland, where they became the Wolsztyn County. The western part of the district of Bomst (297 km2) remaining in Germany, together with the town of Bomst, was incorporated in 1922 into the Prussian province of Posen–West Prussia) | Bomst (at that time remained in Germany, now Polish Babimost) |
| District of Fraustadt (German: Kreis Fraustadt) (partially: the northeastern third of the district of Fraustadt (215 km2) was transferred to newly created Poland, where it became part of the Wschowa County. In 1922, the German part became part of the Prussian province of Posen–West Prussia) | Fraustadt (at that time remained in Germany, now Polish Wschowa) |
| District of Gostyn (German: Kreis Gostyn) | Gostyń |
| District of Grätz (German: Kreis Grätz) | Grodzisk Wielkopolski |
| District of Jarotschin (German: Kreis Jarotschin) | Jarocin |
| District of Kempen (German: Kreis Kempen) | Kępno |
| District of Koschmin (German: Kreis Koschmin) | Koźmin Wielkopolski |
| District of Kosten (German: Kreis Kosten) | Kościan |
| District of Krotoschin (German: Kreis Krotoschin) | Krotoszyn |
| District of Lissa (German: Kreis Lissa) | Leszno |
| District of Meseritz (German: Kreis Meseritz) (partially: the eastern part of the district of Meseritz was transferred to Poland (320 km2), including the town of Bentschen (now Zbąszyń), and was incorporated into the Nowy Tomyśl County. The remaining part of the district of Meseritz, including the town of Meseritz, became part of the new Prussian province of Posen–West Prussia) | Meseritz (at that time remained in Germany, now Polish Międzyrzecz) |
| District of Neutomischel (German: Kreis Neutomischel) | Nowy Tomyśl |
| District of Obornik (German: Kreis Obornik) | Oborniki |
| District of Ostrowo (German: Kreis Ostrowo) | Ostrów Wielkopolski |
| District of Pleschen (German: Kreis Pleschen) | Pleszew |
| District of Rawitsch (German: Kreis Rawitsch) | Rawicz |
| District of Samter (German: Kreis Samter) | Szamotuły |
| District of Schildberg (German: Kreis Schildberg) | Ostrzeszów |
| District of Schmiegel (German: Kreis Schmiegel) | Śmigiel |
| District of Schrimm (German: Kreis Schrimm) | Śrem |
| District of Schroda (German: Kreis Schroda) | Środa Wielkopolska |
| District of Wreschen (German: Kreis Wreschen) | Września |
Part of the Posen region, the district of Schwerin an der Warthe (German: Kreis Schwerin an der Warthe) (capital of the district — Schwerin an der Warthe, now Skwierzyna) remained entirely within Germany after the First World War as part of the Prussian province of Posen–West Prussia, although it was later transferred to Poland.
Regierungsbezirk Bromberg
From the Regierungsbezirk of Bromberg, the following territories were transferred to Poland:
| District (Kreis) | Capital |
|---|---|
| Urban district of Bromberg (German: Stadtkreis Bromberg) and surrounding area (German: Landkreis Bromberg) | Bydgoszcz |
| District of Czarnikau (German: Kreis Czarnikau) (partially: the territory south of the Noteć River was incorporated into Poland as Czarnków County, while the territory north of the Noteć River remained within the German Empire and became part of the Netze administrative region in the province of Posen–West Prussia) | Czarnków |
| District of Filehne (German: Kreis Filehne) (partially: the territory south of the Noteć River was incorporated into Poland as Wieleń County, while the territory north of the Noteć River remained within the German Empire and became part of the Netze administrative region in the province of Posen–West Prussia) | Wieleń |
| District of Gnesen (German: Kreis Gnesen) | Gniezno |
| District of Hohensalza (German: Kreis Hohensalza), formerly known as the district of Inowrazlaw (German: Kreis Inowrazlaw) | Inowrocław |
| District of Kolmar in Posen (German: Kreis Kolmar i. Posen) (partially: three-quarters of the district (898 km2), including Kolmar, the district capital, were transferred to newly created Poland, where the territory became Chodzież County, while several communes of the district and the urban district of Schneidemühl (now Polish Piła) remained within the German Empire and became part of the province of Posen–West Prussia) | Chodzież |
| District of Mogilno (German: Kreis Mogilno) | Mogilno |
| District of Schubin (German: Kreis Schubin) | Szubin |
| District of Strelno (German: Kreis Strelno) | Strzelno |
| District of Wirsitz (German: Kreis Wirsitz) | Wyrzysk |
| District of Witkowo (German: Kreis Witkowo) | Witkowo |
| District of Wongrowitz (German: Kreis Wongrowitz) | Wągrowiec |
| District of Znin (German: Kreis Znin) | Żnin |
West Prussia
West Prussia was partially lost by Germany after the First World War. Most of its districts were transferred to the newly established Poland, while from the northern districts of the province the Free City of Danzig was formed. The fate of part of the districts was decided by the East Prussian plebiscite — these districts, populated predominantly by Polish-speaking inhabitants, were placed under the control of the Entente. As a result of the plebiscite held there on 11 July 1920, this territory remained within Germany and was subsequently incorporated into the province of East Prussia (part of the territory was also transferred to Poland as a result of the plebiscite). After the Second World War, Germany lost all territories that had belonged to this province.
Transferred to Poland
| District (Kreis) | Capital | Former administrative region (Regierungsbezirk) |
|---|---|---|
| District of Putzig (German: Kreis Putzig), became part of the newly established Pomeranian County | Puck | Danzig |
| District of Neustadt in West Prussia (German: Kreis Neustadt i. Westpr.), became part of the newly established Pomeranian County | Wejherowo | Danzig |
| District of Karthaus (German: Kreis Karthaus) | Kartuzy | Danzig |
| District of Berent (German: Kreis Berent) | Kościerzyna | Danzig |
| District of Dirschau (German: Kreis Dirschau) | Tczew | Danzig |
| District of Preußisch Stargard (German: Kreis Preußisch Stargard) | Starogard Gdański | Danzig |
| District of Konitz (German: Kreis Konitz) | Chojnice | Marienwerder |
| District of Tuchel (German: Kreis Tuchel) | Tuchola | Marienwerder |
| District of Schwetz (German: Kreis Schwetz) | Świecie | Marienwerder |
| Urban district of Graudenz (German: Stadtkreis Graudenz) and surrounding area (German: Kreis Graudenz-Land) | Grudziądz | Marienwerder |
| District of Löbau (German: Kreis Löbau) | Nowe Miasto Lubawskie | Marienwerder |
| District of Strasburg in West Prussia (German: Kreis Strasburg i. Westpr.) | Brodnica | Marienwerder |
| District of Culm (German: Kreis Culm) | Chełmno | Marienwerder |
| District of Briesen (German: Kreis Briesen) | Wąbrzeźno | Marienwerder |
| Urban district of Thorn (German: Stadtkreis Thorn) and surrounding area (German: Kreis Thorn-Land) | Toruń | Marienwerder |
| District of Flatow (German: Kreis Flatow, Ostteil) (partially: only the eastern part, including the towns of Vandsburg (Więcbork), Zempelburg (Sępólno Krajeńskie), and Kamin in West Prussia (Kamień Krajeński), formed the Sępólno County in Poland, while the remaining part of the district in Germany was subordinated to the province of Posen–West Prussia with its capital in Schneidemühl) | Flatow (at that time remained in Germany, now Złotów) | Marienwerder |
Transferred to the Free City of Danzig
| District (Kreis) | Capital | Former administrative region (Regierungsbezirk) |
|---|---|---|
| Urban district of Danzig (German: Stadtkreis Danzig) | Gdańsk | Danzig |
| District of Danziger Höhe (German: Kreis Danziger Höhe) (was expanded by incorporating parts of the districts of Karthaus, Berent, and Dirschau, but ceded a small northwestern area to the Polish Kartuzy County) | Gdańsk | Danzig |
| District of Danziger Niederung (German: Kreis Danziger Niederung) (expanded by incorporating part of the district of Dirschau) | Gdańsk | Danzig |
| Rural district of Großes Werder (German: Landkreis Großes Werder) (a new district formed from most of the district of Marienburg, as well as the part of the district of Elbing located west of the Nogat River) | Tiegenhof, now Nowy Dwór Gdański | Danzig (both Marienburg in West Prussia and Elbing were part of the Regierungsbezirk Danzig) |
| Urban district of Zoppot (German: Stadtkreis Zoppot) (separated from the district of Neustadt in West Prussia and established as an independent city) | Sopot | Danzig |
Territories of West Prussia remaining in Germany until the end of the Second World War
| District (Kreis) | Capital | Former administrative region (Regierungsbezirk) |
|---|---|---|
| District of Deutsch Krone (German: Kreis Deutsch Krone) (part of the province of Posen–West Prussia) | Deutsch Krone (now Wałcz) | Marienwerder |
| District of Schlochau (German: Kreis Schlochau) (part of the province of Posen–West Prussia) | Schlochau (now Człuchów) | Marienwerder |
| District of Flatow (German: Kreis Flatow) (part of the province of Posen–West Prussia, reduced in size after the eastern part of the district was transferred to Poland) | Flatow (now Złotów) | Marienwerder |
| Urban district of Elbing (German: Stadtkreis Elbing) (incorporated into the province of East Prussia) and surrounding area (German: Kreis Elbing-Land) (also incorporated into East Prussia, although the western part of the district (west of the Nogat River) was transferred to the Free City of Danzig) | Elbing (now Elbląg) | Danzig |
According to the Treaty of Versailles, the following territories were designated as a plebiscite area and placed under the control of the Entente. After the East Prussian plebiscite held on 11 July 1920, this territory remained within Germany and was subsequently incorporated as the West Prussian administrative district into the province of East Prussia, where it remained until the end of the Second World War, after which it was transferred to Poland.
| District (Kreis) | Capital | Former administrative region (Regierungsbezirk) |
|---|---|---|
| District of Marienwerder (eastern part) (German: Kreis Marienwerder, Ostteil) (the western part of the district was transferred to Poland and became the Gniew county, later incorporated into Tczew County) | Marienwerder (now Kwidzyn) | Marienwerder |
| District of Stuhm (German: Kreis Stuhm) | Sztum | Marienwerder |
| District of Rosenberg in West Prussia (German: Kreis Rosenberg i. Westpr.) | Rosenberg (now Susz) | Marienwerder |
| District of Marienburg in West Prussia (eastern part) (German: Kreis Marienburg i. Westpr., Ostteil) (the part of the district located east of the Nogat River remained in Germany; the western part became part of the Großes Werder rural district of the Free City of Danzig) | Marienburg (now Malbork) | Danzig |
In the German-speaking parts of Posen and West Prussia, the German National Council for West Prussia and Posen (German: Deutscher Volksrat für Westpreußen und Posen) was established, on whose initiative the province of Posen–West Prussia was created.
In addition, in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles, the town of Soldau (now Działdowo) together with 32 other municipalities of the district of Neidenburg in the province of East Prussia (the so-called Soldau region) was transferred to Poland, as a strategic railway line from Danzig to Warsaw passed through the territory.[note 2][3]
Silesia
The Prussian province of Silesia was also lost by Germany in several stages.
In the German Empire before the First World War, Silesia was administratively divided into three administrative regions (German: Regierungsbezirk) — the Regierungsbezirke of Liegnitz, Breslau, and Oppeln. After the First World War, the Treaty of Versailles provided that parts of the border between newly established Poland and Germany were to be determined by a plebiscite. In preparation for the Upper Silesian plebiscite, on 14 October 1919 the Prussian National Assembly passed a law establishing the province of Upper Silesia, which came into force on 8 November 1919. The new province was formed from the former administrative district of Oppeln. Accordingly, the administrative districts of Liegnitz and Breslau formed the new province of Lower Silesia.
Between 1919 and 1921, violent clashes (three Silesian uprisings) occurred between the Polish population, demanding annexation to Poland, and German police units and Freikorps. On voting day, 20 March 1921, 707,554 inhabitants of Upper Silesia (59.6%) voted to remain in Germany (with a turnout of 97.8%), while 478,820 (40.4%) voted for Poland.
In May 1921, the third uprising aimed at the full incorporation of Upper Silesia into Poland was defeated. Subsequently, part of Upper Silesia (29% of its territory, later referred to in Germany as "East Upper Silesia") was transferred to Poland by a decision of the League of Nations on 10 October 1921. East Upper Silesia, transferred to Poland and becoming the Autonomous Silesian Voivodeship, included most of the Upper Silesian industrial region with half of all steelworks, significant coal and iron ore deposits, and economically important mining areas. The partition took effect on 15 July 1922. Just over two-thirds of the territory remained in Germany. The cities and industrial centres of Königshütte (Chorzów), Kattowitz (Katowice), Myslowitz (Mysłowice), Laurahütte (Siemianowice Śląskie), Bismarckhütte (Chorzów-Batory, part of Chorzów), Schwientochlowitz (Świętochłowice), Lipine (Lipiny), and Ruda (Ruda Śląska) became Polish. The Hlučín Region (German: Hultschiner Ländchen) became part of Czechoslovakia.[note 3]
As a result of the First World War, Germany lost the following districts (in whole or in part) to Poland and Czechoslovakia:
| District (Kreis) | Capital |
|---|---|
| Urban district of Kattowitz (German: Stadtkreis Kattowitz) and surrounding area (rural district of Kattowitz, German: Landkreis Kattowitz) | Katowice |
| Urban district of Königshütte (German: Stadtkreis Königshütte) | Chorzów (1922–1939: Królewska Huta) |
| Rural district of Beuthen (German: Landkreis Beuthen) (the eastern part of the district was incorporated into Poland, forming the Świętochłowice County within the Silesian Voivodeship. The remaining part of the district, including the city of Beuthen (now Polish Bytom), became a border town with Poland) | |
| District of Zabrze / Hindenburg (German: Kreis Zabrze / Hindenburg O.S.) (Poland received the municipalities and estates of Biskupitz, Bujakow, Chudow, Groß-Paniow, Klein-Paniow, Kunzendorf, Makoschau, Paulsdorf, and Ruda (now Ruda Śląska). The city of Hindenburg (now Zabrze), as well as Biskupitz, Mathesdorf, Sosnitza, and Saborsche, remained in Germany) | |
| District of Lublinitz (German: Kreis Lublinitz) (the eastern two-thirds of the district, including the towns of Lublinitz and Woźniki (now Woźniki), were transferred to Poland) | Lubliniec |
| District of Pleß (German: Kreis Pleß) | Pszczyna |
| Rural district of Ratibor (German: Landkreis Ratibor) (the southeastern part of the district, including 21 villages and 19 estate districts, was transferred to Poland. Poland received, among others, the villages of Lubomia, Syrinia, and Gorzyce, covering a total area of 127.36 km2 with a population of 16,022) | |
| District of Rybnik (German: Kreis Rybnik) (most of the district was transferred to Poland; the remaining small part in Germany was divided between the rural districts of Ratibor and Tost-Gleiwitz) | Rybnik |
| District of Tarnowitz (German: Kreis Tarnowitz) (most of the district was transferred to Poland in 1922, becoming the Tarnowskie Góry County. The remaining German part, including several municipalities and estates, was later merged in 1927 with part of the district of Beuthen to form the district of Beuthen-Tarnowitz, administered from Beuthen) | Tarnowskie Góry |
| District of Tost-Gleiwitz (German: Kreis Tost-Gleiwitz) (only three municipalities — Geraltowitz (Gierałtowice), Mikoleska, and Preiswitz (Przyszowice) — were transferred to Poland) |
A part of the rural district of Ratibor (German: Landkreis Ratibor), namely the Hlučín Region and the area around the villages of Píšť and Hať (30.47 km2 with a population of 3,286), was transferred to Czechoslovakia.
Memel Territory
The Memel Territory was placed under the administration of the League of Nations and was later transferred to Lithuania in 1923. Parts of the following districts were lost in favour of independent Lithuania:
| District (Kreis) | Capital | Administrative region (Regierungsbezirk) |
|---|---|---|
| City of Memel (German: Memel-Stadt) and surrounding area (German: Memel-Land, Landkreis Memel) | Klaipėda | Königsberg |
| District of Heydekrug (German: Kreis Heydekrug) (most of the district; the southern part remained in Germany, where it is now part of the Slavsk District of Kaliningrad Oblast) | Šilutė | Gumbinnen |
| District of Niederung (Heinrichswalde) (German: Kreis Niederung/Heinrichswalde) (partially) | Heinrichswalde (at that time remained in Germany, now Slavsk) | Gumbinnen |
| District of Tilsit (German: Kreis Tilsit) (partially) | Tilsit (at that time remained in Germany, now Sovetsk) | Gumbinnen |
| District of Ragnit (German: Kreis Ragnit) (partially) (the remaining parts of the three above-mentioned districts were merged into the newly formed district of Pogegen (German: Landkreis Pogegen), with its capital in Pogegen (now Pagėgiai), becoming an administrative unit of the Memel Territory) | Ragnit (at that time remained in Germany, now Neman) | Gumbinnen |
World
As a result of the First World War, Germany lost its colonies in Africa, as well as in Asia and Oceania.
Africa
- German East Africa (from 1891). In 1919 it was divided into:
- Ruanda-Urundi, placed under the mandate of Belgium, which became the independent states of Burundi and Rwanda in 1962;
- Tanganyika, placed under the mandate of the United Kingdom, gained independence in 1964 and became part of Tanzania;
- German South West Africa (from 1884). From 1919 it became a mandate of the South African Union, now Namibia;
- German Cameroon (from 1884). In 1919 it was divided — part became a mandate of France (now Cameroon), and part became a mandate of the United Kingdom (now part of Nigeria);
- German Togoland (from 1884). In August 1914, the German colonial administration abandoned the territory, after which it was divided between France (now Togo) and the United Kingdom (since 1956 part of Ghana).
Asia and Oceania
- German New Guinea (1885–1919, later a mandate of Australia, now part of Papua New Guinea)
- Kaiser-Wilhelmsland (mainland part of New Guinea)
- Bismarck Archipelago (from 1919 an Australian mandate, now part of Papua New Guinea)
- Bougainville Island and other northern Solomon Islands (from 1919 an Australian mandate, now part of Papua New Guinea)
- Nauru — 1888–1919, later a joint mandate of Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand
- Caroline Islands — 1889–1919, later a mandate of Japan
- Mariana Islands — 1889–1919, later a mandate of Japan
- Marshall Islands — 1885–1919, later a mandate of Japan
- German Samoa (from 1919 a mandate of New Zealand, now Samoa)
- Concessions in China:
- Qingdao (also known as Jiaozhou, Kiaochow, etc., 1897–1914, now part of the People's Republic of China)
- in Tianjin (1899–1917)
