Free Republic of Schwarzenberg

The Free Republic of Schwarzenberg (German: Freie Republik Schwarzenberg) is a term used to refer to the unoccupied area in Western Saxony that existed for several weeks after the German capitulation on May 8, 1945. After the surrender of Germany, the districts of Schwarzenberg, Stollberg, and Aue in the Ore Mountains were left unoccupied for unknown reasons. This led to anti-fascist groups forming local governments in those towns and villages, ending with the area's occupation by Soviet troops on June 24, 1945.

Free Republic of Schwarzenberg

Freie Republik Schwarzenberg
1945–1945
Coat of arms of Schwarzenberg, showing Saint George
Map of the localities in the saxon part of the Ore Mountains reliably unoccupied from May 8, to June 24, 1945[2]
  unoccupied locality
  presumably unoccupied locality
  occupied locality, for orientation
CapitalUncertain
Historical eraWorld War II
May 8 1945
• Soviet occupation
June 24 1945
Preceded by		Succeeded by
Nazi Germany
Allied Occupation Zones in Germany
Soviet occupation zone

There has been speculation as to why neither American nor Soviet troops immediately occupied the area. One explanation is that the Soviets and Americans agreed to halt on the banks of the Mulde river. Because there are several rivers with this name, and the Schwarzenberg area lies between them, there may have been some misunderstanding over the agreed-to boundaries. Another possible explanation is that the Allies simply overlooked the area until the lack of occupation was noticed.

Government and organisation

The authority of the newly generated anti-fascist councils was still subject to democratic structures, though they were never intended to build a nation-state. The councils dealt with humanitarian issues since the unoccupied county of Schwarzenberg was not supported by any military force at the time. Issues the council dealt with included the maintenance of law and order, as well as dealing with scattered German soldiers fleeing west to avoid Soviet imprisonment.

After the Soviet occupation in June 1945, the councils were dismissed. However, their work was appreciated by the Soviets, and some councilmen kept their positions in similar Soviet-initiated councils for several years even after the German Democratic Republic was founded in 1949.

The name "Free Republic of Schwarzenberg" is derived from the 1984 novel Schwarzenberg by Stefan Heym. As the novel is based on actual events, the name has become a convenient descriptor, although the book is primarily a work of fiction rather than a historical record.

The Haus Schwarzenberg structure in Berlin is named after the Free Republic of Schwarzenberg. The place contains street art, galleries, shops, and a center named after diarist and Holocaust victim Anne Frank.[3]

References
  1. Jochen Czerny (Hrsg.): Republik im Niemandsland. Ein Schwarzenberg-Lesebuch, Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung Sachsen, Schkeuditz 1997, ISBN 978-3-929994-94-0, page 369
  2. Jochen Czerny (Hrsg.): Republik im Niemandsland. Ein Schwarzenberg-Lesebuch, Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung Sachsen, Schkeuditz 1997, ISBN 978-3-929994-94-0, page 369
  3. "HÄUFIG GESTELLTEN FRAGEN" (in German).
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