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Prague History
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The history of the Czech Republic
is relatively short because until the 20th century, Bohemia
was part of the Austrian Empire. After World War I, in 1918,
Czechoslovakia declared its independence. The new republic had
three parts: Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia. The popular Tomas
Garigue Masaryk became the first president. In October 1938,
the Nazis occupied the Sudetenland and in March 1939, Germany
occupied Bohemia and Moravia. Slovakia |
proclaimed its independence as a Nazi puppet state. After World
War II, Czechoslovakia was reestablished as an independent state.
In the 1946 elections, the Communists became the largest party with
36% of the popular vote and formed a coalition government. In 1948,
the Communists staged and coup and therefore, Czechoslovakia became
a communist country. In the 1960s, Czechoslovakia enjoyed liberalization
under the general secretary of the Czechoslovak Communist Party,
Alexander Dubcek. But it was a short period of relief from Communism,
as the country was crushed by a Soviet invasion in August 1968.
In 1969, Dubcek was replaced by Gustav Husak and Czechoslovakia
would remain a Communist country under Soviet influence. For over
20 years later, Communism ruled until the government resigned in
November 1989, just a week after demonstrations known as the Velvet
Revolution. At this time, Vaclav Havel was elected president of
the republic. By the end of 1992, Czechoslovakia split into the
Czech Republic (Bohemia and Moravia) and the Slovak Republic (Slovakia).
This split became known as the Velvet Divorce, as it was a peaceful
division between the two. On May 1, 2004, the Czech Republic became
an official part of the European Union. Today the Czech Republic
relies heavily on tourism to assist in its difficult economy. Unemployment
is 9.6% with inflation at 2.1% and rising. The average wage is only
about $763/month.
More Information
 www.state.gov
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