How Czechoslovakia Became Independent in 1918

Czechoslovakia became independent in 1918 following the end of World War I and the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The country had been part of the empire for centuries, and the Czech and Slovak peoples had long sought greater autonomy and self-determination. During WW1, Czech and Slovak troops fought on the side of the Allies against the Central Powers, including the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Keyfigure was: Tomáš Masaryk (1850-1937). Masaryk was a Czech statesman, philosopher, and sociologist who served as the first president of Czechoslovakia from 1918 until 1935. He is considered one of the founders of Czechoslovakia and is often referred to as "the father of the nation." Masaryk was a strong advocate of democracy and played a leading role in the movement for Czechoslovak independence during World War I. He founded the Czechoslovak National Council in Paris in 1916, which worked towards the establishment of an independent Czechoslovakia. In October 1918, Masaryk and other Czech and Slovak leaders formed a provisional government in Paris, which declared Czechoslovakia's independence from Austria-Hungary on October 28, 1918. The declaration was supported by the Allies and was met with widespread celebrations throughout the country.
The newly-formed Czechoslovakia was recognized as an independent state by the international community, and Masaryk was elected as its first president. The country was comprised of the Czech lands, which had been part of the Austrian Empire, and Slovakia, which had been part of the Kingdom of Hungary. The establishment of Czechoslovakia marked a significant moment in the history of the Czech and Slovak peoples, as it allowed for greater self-determination and provided a framework for the development of a democratic and modern state.
History Hustle presents: How Czechoslovakia Became Independent in 1918.

SOURCES
– The History of the Czech Republic and Slovakia (William Mahoney).
– A History of the Czech Lands (Jaroslav Pánek & Oldřich Tůma).

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MUSIC
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

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[HistoryHustle]

Czechia during WW2:
Slovakia during WW2:

[bigsarge]

I appreciate you covering important subjects that are often skimmed over in the U.S.

[jokodihaynes]

"History will be kind to me for I intend to write it."-Winston Churchill History was kind to Czechoslovakia thank you for the story of Czechoslovakia and its legions

[tmw]

Great little known stuff love your stuff

[richardshiggins]

Woodrow Wilson was two faced and highly duplicitous . When Ireland sought independence he ruled it completely out of hand . His racial segregation stance within the US was indulgent of such organisations as the KKK to say the least . PS : as an aside if you excuse my intrusion . Detailed overview and thank you !

[holgerandersengrn]

Thank you Syefan for a good historical description of Czechoslovakia's independence and thank you for taking on issues that are a bit unnoticed in European history. It is especially interesting for someone like me, who has traveled in the Czech Republic for the last many years and experienced the country's impressive development and also loves the country and its people.

[davidjgill]

This is perhaps the only review of this history in some detail to be found on YouTube IN ENGLISH. There is what seems to be good material on this history available in Czech but for some perverse reason, Czechs who post in Czech on YouTube assume the rest of the world isn't interested so hey don't turn on CC Closed Captions.

[justanapple]

A yes a new video! Fijne vakantie stefan

[Artur_M.]

I love your videos with on-site footage, especially from this part of Europe.
BTW, while in Czechia, have you visited Těšín/Cieszyn, or plan to visit it in the future? The town is divided by the Czech-Polish border and (with the surrounding region) has a complicated history. It would make for an interesting video. Thankfully, there's no longer any drama between Poles and Czechs over it and both countries are in the EU (and the Schengen Area).

[michaelhemphill]

Instructor..when reporting on sight..this is a "Major" caveat....it lends to the aura..and the Ambience..of the subject matter"!!

[carlospargamendez]

Many people will not agree, but I think that Masaryk is a historical personage with very positive and negative faces. Before WWI he seems me very interesting: his concept of nationality, without anti-germanism, his posibilism, his work as historian. But I think that to break the Austro-Hungarian Empire was a terrible mistake that opened the way to the german hegemony. It was the cause of a "vacuum" of power. The best option would habe been a democratic confederacy as Switzerland. Although Masaryk and Benes made of their best to build a democratic and progressive and tolerant country, the centralism was another mistake..Their compromise was a federation

[sirdarklust]

good summation of the topic. I always found the Czech legion a fascinating topic. Care to tell us what beers you had while there? Take it easy.

[davidjgill]

Czechia and Slovakia could have and should have stayed together. Why didn't they? Czechoslovakia was a young nation and its entire reason for being and the history of its unification were suppressed during the Communist period because Masaryk was pro-western, pro-democracy, anti-socialist, and anti-Bohshevik. The Czech nation had been brought into being with US support, with the support of Czech and Slovak immigrants in the US and the Czechoslovak Legions had fought the Bolsheviks. All this was unacceptable to the Communists and the Soviets.

But the main reason the two split was that the politicians in each could carve out better careers for themselves in separate states. This was especially true for the Slovaks and Vladamir Meciar. The state was divided by an agreement between Meciar and Czech PM Vaclav Klau

[gibraltersteamboatco]

Very good., Thank you. BZ
Od Sumavy až k Tatram

[mohammedsaysrashid]

It was informative and had historical Valuable explaining about Czechoslovaka independent in 1918 ...How both Czech 🇨🇿 and Slovakia 🇸🇰 people's were selected brotherhood prospectives amongst themselves for creating theirs own independent state....in 1918 . Thank you .Sir Stefan 🙏 for sharing this an excellent historical coverage video... good luck and best wishes for you and the (History Hustle) channel

[jokodihaynes]

the Czech Legions paved the way for Czechoslovakia and they have an independent home to come back to

[papaszem]

Slovakia was for 1000 year part of Hungarian Kingdom !!!!

[DuzheDru]

You forgot to talk about the incorporation of Carpathian Rus into Czechoslovakia

[RPe-jkdv]

"independent"? a prison of nations independent?

[aidankitson]

Meanwhile a certain German corporal grew bitter as he watched Europe crumble around him