# East Prussian plebiscite (1920)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1920-east-prussian-plebiscite
Location: East Prussia

In the plebiscite held in Warmia, Masuria and Powiśle during the Soviet advance, the vast majority voted to remain in Germany. Within the broader World War I & Independence period: The First World War destroyed the partitioning empires. Poland regained independence in November 1918 and fought for its borders in a series of wars and uprisings until 1921. At this point in the timeline (11 July 1920), the governing authority was Józef Piłsudski (Chief of State). Architect of independence and Chief of State; after the 1926 coup he remained Poland's dominant figure until his death in 1935. East Prussian plebiscite mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
East Prussian plebiscite mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood.

Ruler at the time: [Józef Piłsudski](https://poland-history.com/rulers/jozef-pilsudski)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — 1920 East Prussian plebiscite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1920_East_Prussian_plebiscite)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — East Prussian plebiscite](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=East+Prussian+plebiscite)
- [Wikipedia — History of Poland during World War I (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Poland_during_World_War_I)