Czechoslovakia

I

Introduction

Czechoslovakia, former federative nation in central Europe, once bounded on the north by Germany and Poland, on the east by Ukraine, on the south by Hungary and Austria, and on the west by Germany, and which ceased to exist on January 1, 1993. On that date, the Czech Republic and Slovakia emerged as independent nations. In terms of land, population, and economy, the Czech Republic absorbed two-thirds and Slovakia one-third of what had been Czechoslovakia. For more information regarding the two nations, see Czech Republic and Slovakia.

II

Government

The republic of Czechoslovakia was established on October 18, 1918, immediately after World War I (1914-1918). Czechoslovakia was originally divided for administrative purposes into two republics, one Czech and the other Slovak; ten administrative regions; and two independent cities, Prague and Bratislava. Prague served as the federal capital of Czechoslovakia and is now the capital of the Czech Republic. A president, prime minister, and Cabinet of ministers formed the executive branch of government. A bicameral Federal Assembly performed all legislative functions. A supreme court and a series of lower courts together functioned as the judicial authority. Once ruled solely by the Communist party, the republic admitted more parties into the governmental system in 1990.

The individual republics each had their own legislature and an executive branch headed by a premier and Cabinet. While the federal government oversaw defence, foreign affairs, and economic policy, the individual republics each had control of education and cultural affairs.

The former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) controlled the country's military structure as stated in the Warsaw Pact. In 1991 all Soviet troops withdrew from Czechoslovakia.

III

Culture and Society

Czechoslovakia's main cultural achievements belong primarily to the Middle Ages (that is before the 15th century) and to the 19th and 20th centuries. In the intervening three centuries, German control of the region inhibited native cultural development and forced many artists, musicians, and philosophers to live abroad. The 14th century laid the basis for a national style in painting, made famous by the unknown Master of Vyšší Brod and a distinctive style in architecture called the Vladislav Gothic. In the 19th century there was a revival and further development of painting, music, and sculpture. From this period are the National Theatre (1883) in Prague and the Bratislava National Theatre which are still held in high regard throughout Europe. In the 1960s Czechoslovakian films returned to prominence. The Shop on Main Street (1966) and Loves of a Blonde (1967) won general acclaim in the West.

Traditional painting in Czechoslovakia during the 19th century is best exemplified by the works of Josef Mánes. The portrait painter Max Švabinský and the sculptor Josef Myslebeck gained recognition around the turn of the 20th century. Josef Drahoňovský, a sculptor who worked in various media, including glass, achieved prominence after World War I. Later in the 20th century František Kupka achieved posthumous fame as one of the pioneers of abstract painting, and Jiří Kilář gained international repute for his witty collages.

The Czech contribution to music is also of international importance. Some of the most prominent musicians are the composer Bedřich Smetana, known as the father of Bohemian national music; Antonín Dvořák, who was born in Czechoslovakia, but who lived and worked in the United States for several years; Leoš Janáček, noted for his operas and songs, some of which were based on folk themes; and Bohuslav Martinů, whose symphonies where influenced by Czech music, but who also lived and composed in the United States.

While the Communists ruled Czechoslovakia (1948-1990), film, radio, television, telephone, and telegraph services were all state-owned. The ministry of information oversaw the editorial operations of all newspapers, and the ministry of communications was in charge of distribution. In addition to the major Communist newspaper, Rudé Právo (Red Justice), nationally distributed daily newspapers included the organs of two parties allied with the Communist party. The combined circulation of the country's 30 daily newspapers was about 4.4 million. In the late 1980s there were 4.3 million radios, 4.4 million television sets, and 3.8 million telephones in use.

In the late 1980s the Central Council of Trade Unions, the governing body of the Revolutionary Trade Union Movement, encompassed 97 per cent of the labour force. It was charged specifically with encouraging productivity, informing the government about labour needs, and providing recreation for workers. Membership and monthly dues were generally compulsory.

IV

History

During World War I, Czech nationalist leaders Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk and Eduard Beneš formed a provisional government for a Czecho-Slovak republic with the support of Slovak leaders, including Milan Štefánik, and Allied powers. The republic of Czechoslovakia was established in Prague immediately after the war, on October 18, 1918. The new republic included the former imperial provinces of Bohemia, Moravia, part of Silesia, Slovakia, and sub-Carpathian Ruthenia.