Upper Silesia, historically bounded by Brandenburg, Posen, Russian Poland, Galicia, Austrian Silesia, Moravia, Bohemia, and Saxony, is a region rich in rivers, streams, hills, low mountains, fertile pastures, meadows, forests, fisheries, and mineral wealth. About a third of its land was controlled by large estates. Initially, the population was likely Celtic and other mixed ethnic groups, coming under Polish rule in the 10th century. Bohemian rulers later recruited Germans, making the region distinctly German. In 1138, Poland renounced its claim, and the King of Bohemia assumed sovereignty, transferring Silesia to German control in the 12th century. The region was then divided into Upper and Lower Silesia by two princes in 1163, and by the late 12th century, German settlements and castles covered rural Silesia.

By the end of the 14th century, Silesia had split into 18 small principalities. In 1290, Silesian princes sought protection from the German dynasty ruling in Bohemia, leading to the appropriation of several small states as crown domains by Bohemian kings, King Johann and Emperor Karl IV, who restored order. However, Silesia became embroiled in the Hussite wars and invasions from 1425 to 1435, weakening the German population in Upper Silesia. George Podiebrad's appointment as Bohemian king threatened the German element, leading to resistance from Breslau's burghers and the takeover by Matthias Corvinus in 1469. Corvinus established a permanent diet of Silesian princes and attempted central government, but under Vladislav, Silesia secured semi-autonomy until the Reformation, when German King Ferdinand I reimposed Bohemian control, and Silesians lost power.

From 1550, Silesia was under foreign administration, first under the Habsburgs. The Thirty Years’ War devastated the region, with 75% of the population perishing. King Karl XII of Sweden and Emperor Karl VI secured religious liberty and stimulated trade. Silesia became part of the Holy Roman Empire and then the Austrian Empire until 1742, when Friedrich the Great of Prussia annexed it and enacted political and economic reforms. Friedrich introduced Merino sheep, public schools, and revived industries in Silesia.

By 1905, three-fourths of Silesia's population was German, with Poles and Czechs also present. Breslau, the capital, was a leading center of trade. After World War I, despite its long German history, Silesia was divided between Poland and Czechoslovakia, drastically altering its demographic and cultural landscape.

No one has claimed the existence of the Silesian nation in this form for political reasons. The structures and form of government of the Upper Silesian nation have a noocracy character. The Upper Silesian Nation aims to promote socio-cultural development and historical and ethnic awareness. All citizens of the Upper Silesian nation have the right to freely express their opinions. Citizenship can be obtained by those who live in the present Upper Silesia, in Germany, and also by those who live in the Schengen zone and outside it.