Prague as a Living History Midterm

New Town

was built in the 14th century southwest of Stare Mesto, with Vaclavske namesti (Wenceslas Square) in its centre. It is the fourth, and last, of Prague's towns which closed the medieval development of Prague. The tour of New Town takes a whole day, with half a day dedicated to the town itself and 2-3 hours to an inspection of Vyšehrad

Reasons for World War 1

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, a maze of alliances, Arms Race, imperialism, and rampant nationalism. Austro-Hungarian-They weren't giving the Czechs human rights, so that pissed off them

Czecholosavakia in World War 1

At the outbreak of World War I, the Czechs and Slovaks showed little enthusiasm for fighting for their respective enemies, the Germans and the Hungarians, against fellow Slavs, the Russians and the Serbs. Large numbers of Czechs and Slovaks defected on the Russian front and formed the Czechoslovak Legion. Masaryk went to western Europe and began propagating the idea that the Austro-Hungarian Empire should be dismembered and that Czechoslovakia should be an independent state. In 1916, together with Eduard Benes and Milan Stefanik (a Slovak war hero), Masaryk created the Czechoslovak National Council. Masaryk in the United States and Benes in France and Britain worked tirelessly to gain Allied recognition. When secret talks between the Allies and Austrian emperor Charles I (1916-18) collapsed, the Allies recognized, in the summer of 1918, the Czechoslovak National Council as the supreme organ of a future Czechoslovak government. In early October 1918, Germany and Austria proposed peace negotiations. On October 18, while in the United States, Masaryk issued a declaration of Czechoslovak independence. Masaryk insisted that the new Czechoslovak state include the historic Bohemian Kingdom, containing the German-populated Sudetenland. On October 21, however, German deputies from the Sudetenland joined other German and Austrian deputies in the Austrian parliament in declaring an independent German-Austrian state. Following the abdication of Emperor Charles on November 11, Czech troops occupied the Sudetenland. Hungary withdrew from the Hapsburg Empire on November 1. The new liberal-democratic government of Hungary under Count Michael Karolyi attempted to retain Slovakia. With Allied approval, the Czechs occupied Slovakia, and the Hungarians were forced to withdraw. The Czechs and Allies agreed on the Danube and Ipel' rivers as the boundary between Hungary and Slovakia; a large Hungarian minority, occupying the fertile plain of the Danube, would be included in the new state (see fig. 6).

Five main sections of Prague

Hradcany Old Town Lesser Quarter New Quarter Jewish Quarter

reasons for constructing New Town

It had a nicely configured layout, the river divided the town, it gave the scale and spiritual prestige of the metropolises of antiquity

Panelak in Communist housing

It is made of structural panels and no skeleton, under development by kula and adamec in Gottwaldov. These buildings were combined. They were on open land. These represented a modern socialist, functional and private interior spaces. The panels offered an economical and efficient solution. However these panelaks felt older. However since these panelaks were seen as being bad in material, they did not represent socialism. People wanted to make them desirable under the market conditions

Svejk story

anti war propganda the guy in the story was proud that he was in it, he might have been retarded though set in Austria-Hungary during WW1 explores pointlessness of war

Lesser Town

Mala Stran (Lesser Town) was originally a settlement around the castle, and later grew into an imposing quarter of splendid Baroque palaces, churches and gardens. Its centre is Malostranske namesti (Lesser Town Square).

Panelak

Panelák (Czech: [ˈpanɛlaːk]) is a colloquial term in Czech and Slovak for a panel building constructed of pre-fabricated, pre-stressed concrete, such as those extant in the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in the world. Panelák [plural: paneláky] is derived from the standard Czech: panelový dům or Slovak: panelový dom meaning, literally, "panel house / prefabricated-sections house". The term panelák is used mainly for the elongate blocks with more sections with separate entrances - simple panel tower blocks are called "věžový dům" (tower house) or colloquially "věžák". The buildings remain a towering, highly visible reminder of the Communist era. The term panelák refers specifically to buildings in the former Czechoslovakia. However, similar buildings were built in other Communist countries and even in the West.

What happened in Prague in 1968

Prague Spring The Prague Spring reforms were a strong attempt by Dubček to grant additional rights to the citizens of Czechoslovakia in an act of partial decentralization of the economy and democratization. The freedoms granted included a loosening of restrictions on the media, speech and travel. After national discussion of dividing the country into a federation of three republics, Bohemia, Moravia-Silesia and Slovakia, Dubček oversaw the decision to split into two, the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic.[1] This was the only formal change that survived the end of Prague Spring, though the relative success of the nonviolent resistance undoubtedly prefigured and facilitated the peaceful transition to liberal democracy with the collapse of Soviet hegemony in 1989.

St. Wenceslaus

St.Wensesclas-is martyrdom and the popularity of several biographies gave rise to a reputation for heroic goodness that resulted in his elevation to sainthood. He was posthumously declared to be a king and came to be seen as the patron saint of the Czech state. He is the subject of the well-known "Good King Wenceslas", a carol for Saint Stephen's Day. According to one legend one Count Radislas rose in rebellion and marched against Wenceslas. The latter, sending him a deputation, made offers of peace, but Radislas viewed the king's message as a sign of cowardice. The two armies were drawn up opposite each other in battle array, when Wenceslas, to avoid shedding so much innocent blood, challenged Radislas to single combat. As Radislas advanced toward the duke, he saw, by the side of Wenceslas, two angels who cried to him: "Stand off!" This cry acted like a thunderbolt upon Radislas, and changed his intentions. Throwing himself from his horse, he fell at the Saint's feet, and asked for pardon. Wenceslas raised him and kindly received him again into favor. A second enduring legend claims a huge army of knights sleep inside Blaník, a mountain in the Czech Republic. The knights will awake and, under the command of St. Wenceslaus, bring aid to the Czech people when they face ultimate danger (see also King in the mountain legends). There is a similar legend in Prague which says that when the Motherland is in danger or in its darkest times and close to ruin, the equestrian statue of King Wenceslaus in Wenceslaus Square will come to life, raise the army sleeping in Blaník, and upon crossing the Charles Bridge his horse will stumble and trip over a stone, revealing the legendary sword of Bruncvík. With this sword, King Wenceslaus will slay all the enemies of the Czechs, bringing peace and prosperity to the land.[15] Ogden Nash wrote a comic epic poem—"The Christmas that Almost Wasn't", loosely based on the same legend—in which a boy awakens Wenceslaus and his knights to save a kingdom from usurpers who have outlawed Christmas.[16] St. Wencesclas lived with his father for three years • St. Wenceslas had a significant level of education, sought to strengthen the position of the Christian faith in what was still a predominantly pagan environment • Formed an alliance with King Henry I of Saxony rather than an alliance with the prince of Bavaria • Wenceslas had the newly built church at Prague Castle consecrated to Saint Vitus o A saint particularly revered in Saxony at the time o Received a relic from Henry for alliance • Wenceslas' brother Boleslav hired men to kill Wenceslas and his entourage and children when he was going to church • Boleslav was sorry and had Wenceslas remains buried in the Church of St. Vitus • Wenceslas was chosen as a patron saint for the bishopric of Prague • Wenceslas was revered in death Wencelas o He appeared on money and was venerated as a heavenly protector and patron • Charles IV (Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia in the 14th century) was a powerful supporter of St. Wenceslas • When Wenceslas came of age, he took control of the government. He placed the duchy under the protection of Germany, introduced German priests, and favoured the Latin rite instead of the old Slavic, which had gone into disuse in many places for want of priests.[2] To prevent disputes between him and his younger brother Boleslav, they divided the country between them,[clarification needed] assigning to the latter a considerable territory.[4] o Made it so St. Wenceslas would be considered the eternal ruler of the Bohemian state and the true owner of a crown that he merely lent to his successors on the throne St. Wanclaus was the patron saint of the Czech, he was an advocate for the nation. • Beginning of 13th century = Bohemia was becoming as advanced as western neighbors o Germans moved in due to population pressure • Wenceslas I was the father of Premysl II • Premysl II had many territorial exploits and greatly expanded Bohemian lands • Premysl wanted to be the holy roman emperor, but the electors chose Rudolf Habsburg as the new king of the romans and Habsburg defeated Premysl in battle (they fought because Premysl didn't want to give up his lands) where Premysl was killed • Born Wenceslas, Charles IV had a difficult upbringing in that he was taken from home to live in Paris and spent time in Italy and had an interesting relationship with his father John of Luxembourg • His friendship with Pope Clement VI got the Bishopric of Prague raised to an Archbishopric • He created The Prague New Town on the right bank of the Vltava and established the first university to the east of the rhine and north of the alps • Made it so royals would be buried in St. Vitus' Cathedral • His first born son and first two wives died • Charles was the first king of bohemia ever to become Holy Roman Emperor • His third wife Anna bore him a healthy son (King Wenceslas IV) • Charles IV founded Karlstejn • He built the Old Town Bridge Tower o He is enthroned together with his son Wenceslas

Old Town

The historical nucleus of the right-bank part of Prague is Stare Mesto (Old Town). Its narrow and sinuous streets still evoke a medieval atmosphere. The Old Town streets lead to Staromestske Namesti (Old Town Square) with many remarkable historical buildings, and the world famous Astronomical Clock. OLD TOWN SQUARE

Jan Hus

The leader of the Czech religious reforms, and the spiritual founder of the Protestant reformation in the 1500's. He was convicted by the Council of Constance for heresy. Bethlehem Chapel-Jan was a preacher there

Jewish Quarter

The neighbouring quarter, Josefov, is an area of Jewish monuments of European significance: the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Old-New Synagogue. Exploring walk which is dedicated to the former Prague Jewish ghetto takes 4 hours. Josefov is the name of Prague's former Jewish Town, established as an independent fifth district within the territory of the Old Town of Prague following the emancipation of the Jewish population after 1850. It was named after Joseph II, under whom Prague's Jews were at last granted some civil rights. The former ghetto used to be one of the poorest parts of the city and a large part of it was demolished at the turn of the 19th century. The only preserved structures are the synagogues, the town hall and the old Jewish cemetery. They survived through World War II simply because Hitler had wanted to set up in Prague a museum of the "former" Jewish nation.

Hradcany

is the district of the city of Prague, Czech Republic surrounding Prague Castle. The castle is said to be the biggest castle in the world[1] at about 570 metres (1,870 feet) in length and an average of about 130 metres (430 feet) wide. Its history stretches back to the 9th century. St Vitus Cathedral is located in the castle area. Most of the district consists of noble historical palaces. There are many other attractions for visitors: romantic nooks, peaceful places and beautiful lookouts.

Three basic towns in Prague

• Antique towns o Originated as early as four thousand years ago and more Paris, Geneva, towns along the Danube • Evolved towns o Gradually developed mostly since the 8th-10th centuries near significant castles and government centers, and close to fords and marketplaces o Towns are usually labrynthine, with a narrow and irregular central square • Planned towns o The most common in central Europe o Established on a green meadow near existing evolved cities where there was room for a large market square o Cesky Krumlov ♣ Narrow evolved town is located directly under the castle o Often have a large square central area, with two perpendicular axes that extend from the square, dividing the town into four quarters

Franz Ferdinand assassination results

• Franz Ferdinand = the nephew of Franz Josef I o Heir to the throne • Czechs were angry that the Habsburgs had acknowledged the constitutional legal status of the Kingdom of Hungary but not of the Kingdom of Bohemia • National (ethnic) tensions and growth of nationalistic feelings because Slavonic languages were not considered national languages as was Hungarian • Franz Ferdinand wanted to limit the destructive effects of nationalism by weakening the Hungarian influence • Franz Ferdinand died in Bosnia • He was due to oversee the manoeuvres of Austrian-Hungarian units • The Serbs regarded the military exercise as political provocation • Serbian minority in Bosnia wanted the creation of a greater Serbia, didn't like the Habsburgs • The Black Hand assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand • Gavrilo Princip shot him and his wife Sophie o Austria-Hungary had an excuse to declare war on Serbia • The Austro-Hungarian empire fell apart o Czechs and Slovaks wanted the west to win against Austria-Hungary and Germany