Czechoslovakia

Tim Doody

In 1918 World War I had just ended and the expansive Austria-Hungarian empire, which ruled over many different ethnic groups, was divided into many smaller countries. Czechoslovakia was formed and would be one of the few of these newly formed countries that would last. Tomas Masaryk was the founder and first president of this country. This country had more parts of modern day countries than the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Parts of Bavaria, Poland, Hungary, and Romania were all grouped into this nation which was now divided by nationality. These people like many other newborn countries would turn to democracy as their savior. This nation would survive like this until Adolf Hitler’s ambitions in World War II turned toward this small country. After the first World War many feared even the thought of another. In 1938 the Munich conference was held with leaders of France, United Kingdom, and Germany attending. The French and British sought to appease Hitler by giving what he wanted, the Sudetenland (which was a large part of the country Czechoslovakia), so that war would be avoided. Everyone thought they had dodged a bullet by pleasing the sophisticated Hitler. It was ok that the French had betrayed their ally. This failed and war broke out about a year later. As this great war was coming to an end, this small nation was liberated by the Soviet Union. This was not liberation though since it would now be communist and eventually annexed into the U.S.S.R. Finally in the late 80’s with the disbanding of the Soviets, Czechoslovakia was freed even though it lasted only three years. At this time arguments had occurred in the government and the Velvet Revolution had taken place. Today the countries are still split. Even though they have been for many years many things they still have in common. Their flags, governments, and people all have many similarities but one should still not mistake one from another since a few people are still sour from this division. These nations divided peacefully so soft it was compared to velvet. So when one visits either one they must take a moment and breath. Compare, contrast, and just look. These places were once one but times change and people will now get to discover what it feels like to see division and separation.