Visiting Prague

Summary: the rise of two branches of one nation who become Czechoslovakia.

The XIX century was a period of great importance and glorious to the history of Prague. The Austrian influence decreased allowing the reengagement of the Czech nation with its culture and history. During a long time the Czech language was forbidden, but it ended up being officially recognized again. The civic pride was reborn with the construction of important buildings, idealised by Czech talents architecture, such as the National Theatre. The new city and the Jewish Quarter were adjusted to the great public transportations net whish allowed the city to grow.
The I World War had devastated all Europe and shook the continent’s entire system of values inside of each society. It undermined the old social order in every European country and provided the opportunity for new social groups to increase in influence. Old elite was reinforced by people enriched by the war. The women started to take the place of men, doing their jobs and keeping her owns too. Their men were now fighting and dieing in the arms. What happened was a political radicalized mass.
The idea came from Tomás Masaryk [1850-1937], his thought was to create a conception Czechs and Slovaks two branches of one nation who should live in one state: The Czechoslovak National Council.
In October 18th of the year 1918, Thomas Garrigue Masaryk issued in Philadelphia the Czechoslovak Declaration of Independence whish was supported by Woodrow Wilson´s note. And only ten days latter the Czechoslovakia was spontaneously proclaimed in Prague, followed by Slovak declaration on joint coexistence in the town of Turčanský Sv. Martin. The country was finally recognized internationally. There was a big celebration in all the territory including visitos from Prague hotels. The Czechoslovakia people regain their identity, their government and authority.
Nevertheless the Sudeten Germans could not accept their position as a minority. In 1919 they established four autonomous provinces whish were: Deutsch-Böhmen (German Bohemia) with Reichenberg (Liberec) as its capital; Sudetenland (northern Moravia and Silesia); Deutsch-Südmähren (German South Moravia) and Böhmerwaldgau (Bohemian Forest District).
These provinces were not viable and their representatives affirmed them to be integral parts of a socialist Republic of German-Austria which would, in turn, join the socialist Germany. The Allies, though, didn’t accept the plan, because using the ethnic criterion in drawing borders would make Germany stronger than it was before the war.
The rights of Czechoslovak Germans were guaranteed rather in the individual level than as a minority. But the approach of Czechoslovakia towards minorities was better than usual international practice.
The Peace conference at Versailles although fixed the borders of ČSR. In the meeting was accepted the idea of self-determination of nations that should base borders on ethnic criteria. Tanking into account a very complicated situation in some territories as well as the fact of aspects as economic, strategic or historic had to be considered.
In 1918 on the 14th of November Czechoslovakia had the first free and democratic elections where Thomas Garrigue Masaryk was elected as president of the Czechoslovakia. Two years latter a Constitution was created following the models of the French and American, parliamentary system.

Trackback URI |