Czechoslovakia
Jan Amos Komenský
(Yan Amos Komenskee) AKA John Amos Comenius 1592-1670, Moravian pre-reformation bishop and champion of universal education. Idealized as symbol of Czech nation during the Czech National Revival. REPRESENTING EGALITARIANISM
Václav Hanka
(Vaatslav Haankaa) 1791-1861, Czech Philologist. Claimed to find two manuscripts (Queen's court and Green Mountain), made public in 1818. Pronounced frauds by Dobrovský. Compendium of Czech legends, folklore, distant past that have become legitimized (through murals, operas, etc) and functioning parts of the Czech national collective conscious; NATION BUILDING OVERCOMING OBJECTIVE INQUIRY.
Charter 77
1976-1992 The most important dissident grouping under communism in Czechoslovakia founded by Václav Havel and others. Motivated by the arrest of the Plastic People, circulated to criticize government failings to implement human rights
Vyšehrad
Fort on the Vltava River in Prague. Local legend as the location of the first settlement. Enchantress LIbuše forsees a great city, marries a plough man ==EGALITARIANISM
St. Wenceslas
(907-935) Duke of Bohemia from 921 until his murder (by Boleslav the Cruel). Patron saint of Czech state, considered a martyr and saint and inspiring a cult in Bohemia. Conceptualized through the Middle Ages as a "rex justus" or righteous king, with piety and vigor. An equestrian STATUE of him is in Wenceslaus SQUARE IN PRAGUE, sight of demonstrations during the Velvet Revolution EMBODYING CHURCH AND STATE IN ONE BEING
Alexander Dubček
(Dubtsek) 1921-1992, with destalinization and a poor economy, attempted to reform and liberalize the communist regime during the Prague Spring. Created "socialism with a human face". After resigning from being First secretary of the party, he again showed support for reform during the Velvet Revolution, appearing with Havel before the Party resigned. Served as Chairman to the Czecho-Slovak parliament following 1989, and as leader of the Social Democratic Party of Slovakia after 1992.
František Palacký
(Franteeshek Palatskee) 1798-1876, Czech historian, part of revival, "Father of the Nation"; wrote "The History of the Czech Nation in Bohemia and Moravia" up to 1526 (after that "would have had to lie"). Included Golden Age of Charles IV and Hussite Movement, two most important eras of the people's ethos, chronicling the people's conflict with tyrannical Germany and Holy Roman Empire. Cited as a foundational myth of the people during interwar. As a Pan-Slavist and Prague Slavic Congress participant, he imagined a Habsburg empire consisting of a federation of Austro-Germans and Slavs, insisting that the Slavs "were around before Austria and will continue to be so even when it is gone."
Tomáš Masaryk
(Tomahsh Masarik) 1850-1937. First President of Czechoslovakia, abolishing the Austro-Hungarian monarchy there in favor of a democratic federal state. In power throughout the interwar period. Regarded as a founding father, symbol of democracy. Employed myths of Jan Hus to bring ideals of ethical pluralism, liberalism, <<democracy, humanism, tolerance,>> and egalitarianism to the newly articulated government.
Václav Havel
(Vaatslav Havel) 1936-2011, Playwright, poet, dissident; Last president of Czechoslovakia, first of the Czech Republic. Banned from theater 1968, contributed to Charter 77 and wrote the Power of the Powerless, contributing to reputation as a leading dissident. Leader of the Civic Forum, the group that spearheaded the Velvet Revolution. Oversaw the break up of Czechoslovakia after failing to get the majority vote in 1992. Brought authority to the position of president (Constitution of Czech Rep gave most of the real power to the prime minister).
Jan Hus
(Yan Hus) 1369-1415; Czech priest considered to be the first Church reformer (before Luther), citing indulgences, simony, secularity, and restriction of the Eucharist. "TRUTH WILL CONQUER" Continued to have a strong influence in reformist Bohemian religious (and social) denominations. Radicalized followers rebelled against Roman Catholic rulers in crusades known as the Hussite Wars. EGALITARIANISM IN THE CHURCH. Also reformed orthography, cleaning up consonantal clusters and adding hacheks.
Jan Žižka
(Yan Zhizhka) One-eyed BOHEMIAN GENERAL who LED HUSSITE FORCES known as TABORITES in defense of their religious beliefs and Bohemian homeland AGAINST A HAPSBURG/ROMAN CRUSADE led by Emperor Ferdinand II. Using innovative military tactics such as armored wagons and a variety of improvised weapons as well as brilliant military strategy. His SYMBOL WAS THE CHALICE, his motto "Against all." In his afterlife he has been claimed as a symbol as much by Czech nationalists ("AGAINST ALL" in reference to German troops, to defend truth) as by Czech communists.
Charles IV
1316-1378, Second king of Bohemia. Reign is remembered as the Golden Age of Bohemia. Considered the Pater Patriae (Father of the Country)
Battle of Mohács
1526 fought pitting the forces of Louis II, king of Hungary and Bohemia, against the Ottomans. Louis's death in the battle transferred the crown of Hungary and Bohemia, together with the lands of Croatia and Slovakia, to Ferdinand I of Austria, thus placing these lands under Habsburg rule, which would last until the end of WW
Prague Slavic Congress
1848 The meeting was meant to be a show of resistance to German nationalism in the city of Prague in the predominantly Slavic Kingdom of Bohemia, which in spite of that was for many centuries a part of the Holy Roman Empire. - Czech Islands in a sea of Germanism
Normalization
1969-1987; Period of restoring to conditions before reforms by Dubček, firming the rule of the Communist Party led by Gustáv Husák and reestablishing status as a committed member of the socialist bloc. NEOSTALINIST reaction to the liberal reforms of the Prague Spring. It was marked by the ruthless SUPPRESSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS and a concomitant focus on material well- being, thus ensuring the docility of the Czechoslovak population in the face of communist rule.
Power of the Powerless
1978 Political essay written by Václav Havel dissecting the nature of communist regime and how its nature can create dissidents of ordinary citizens. Discusses idea of a loose community of individuals linked by a common cause. Manifesto for dissidents in Czechoslovakia, Poland, and those under other communist regimes
Plastic People of the Universe
A Czech rock band of the 1970s. For their programmatically anti-political non-conformism and their desire to play their music without interference from Czech authorities, in 1976 the members of the Plastics were ARRESTED, TRIED, AND SENTENCED to long prison terms (for disturbing the peace). Their trial impelled Václav Havel and a handful of other Czech dissenters TO PRODUCE THE CHARTER 77 MANIFESTO, the most important document of the Czech dissident movement.
Czech National Revival
A cultural movement, which took part in the Czech lands during the 18th and 19th century. The purpose of this movement was to REVIVE CZECH LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND NATIONAL IDENTITY. The most prominent figures of the revival movement were Josef Dobrovský and Josef Jungmann.
Moravia
A historical country in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic and one of the historical Czech lands
Bohemia
A historical country of Central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague. In a broader meaning, it often refers to the entire Czech territory, including Moravia and Czech Silesia,[2] especially in historical contexts, such as the Kingdom of Bohemia.
Panslavism
A nineteenth-century notion, and, later, ideology, that all Slavic peoples share a common heritage and a common fate. Inspired by HERDER'S THOUGHTS about the Slavs (collective built on intangibles within the volk), it was most fully developed by Czech and Slovak revivalists (e.g., Kollar, Šafárik/Šafařík) as a way of COUNTERING PAN-GERMANISM. As a component of official Russian imperial ideology pan-Slavism became a way of projecting Russian power in the Slavic world.
Queen's Castle Manuscript
A supposed 13th-14th century manuscript discovered in 1817 by Hanka, consisting of poetic texts chronicling Czech historical legends. Suspected of being forged, but still an important part of shaping Czech national awareness.
Civic Forum
An oppositionist political movement in the Czech portion of Czechoslovakia that emerged in the first days of the Velvet Revolution (Nov. 1989). Composed of students, actors, and intellectuals spanning the ideological spectrum and led by Václav Havel, it was at the forefront of events that led to the collapse of the Czechoslovak communist system.
Josef Jungmann
Another father of the revival, Bohemian linguist. Wrote the Czech-German dictionary, legitimizing Czech as an expressive language equal to a hegemonic language like German; also translated Dante, Milton, Goethe, developing Czech language to express such complex ideas. Also responsible for the revival of archaic Czech words and certain neologisms.
1526
BEGINNING OF HAPSBURG= year when the Battle of MOHÁCS (mo-hats), Louis II, king of Hungary and Bohemia, against the Ottomans. Louis's death=> crown of Hungary and Bohemia, together with the lands of Croatia and Slovakia, to Ferdinand I of Austria, thus placing these lands under Habsburg rule, which would last until the end of WWI.
1620
Battle of White Mountain, rebellious Bohemian/Czech Protestants against combined Catholic forces led by the Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II. The defeat of the Protestants, resulting in the execution, exile, or forced conversion of Bohemian nobles, marked the END OF BOHEMIA AS A DISTINCT REALM, the BEGINNINGS OF GERMANIFICATION, and what the Czechs refer to as "the 300 YEARS OF DARKNESS."
Josef Dobrovský
Bohemian philologist, crucial to the revival movement. Standardizing the Czech language and grammar; crucial to nation building
Taborites
Bohemian radical religious denomination centered on Tabor during the 15th century during the Hussite Wars. Lead by Žižka in the defense of Bohemia during the crusades
Compromise of 1867 (Ausgleich)
Compromise of 1867.Compromise between Habsburg empire and their rebellious subjects, the Hungarians, reestablishing sovereignty of the Kingdom of Hungary and thus creating a dual monarchy. Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungary. For the Czechs and Croats who remained loyal to the H.B.E. the resulting compromise was viewed as largely unfair and rewarding the Hungarians.
Czech National Museum
Czech museum institution intended to systematically establish, prepare and publicly exhibit natural scientific and historical collections. It was founded 1818 in Prague by Kašpar Maria Šternberg. Historian František Palacký was also strongly involved.
Hachek
Diacritic wedge placed over certain letters to indicate pronunciation in Slavic languages; Evolved from the diacritic dot introduced to Czech orthography by Jan Hus.
Utraquism
Dogma of the Hussites in the 15th century, maintaining that eucharistic bread and wine should be administered to the people as well as the clergy. AKA the Calixtines, with emblematic chalice. Inspired by the teachings of Jan Hus, an expression of Hussite EGALITARIANISM. For the next century iT became a cornerstone of Czech resistance to the Holy See and a symbol ("the chalice") of its distinctiveness. Was what characterized Bohemian Catholicism from the 15th to early 17th century. From sub utraque specie "of both kinds". Eventually allied with Catholics to eliminate radical pre-Marxist Hussite groups
Hapsburg Empire
Dynastic Germanic empire, tyrannical other to the Czechs and Slovaks. Came to control the groups in 1526, formalizing power in 1620.
Battle of White Mountain
Fought in the year 1620, pitting rebellious Bohemian/Czech Protestants against combined Catholic forces led by the Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II. The defeat of the Protestants, resulting in the execution, exile, or forced conversion of Bohemian nobles, marked the end of Bohemia as a distinct Habsburg realm, the beginnings of Germanification, and what the Czechs refer to as "the 300 years of darkness."
Facets of Czechness
Golden hands (craftsmen), smallness/the Small Czech man (pub goers at the Chalice, post 1848/1867), pacifism - contrast to the Poles!!
1918-1938
Interwar period, during which a democratic state. Tomáš Masaryk elected president. Established the Czechoslovak Republic, including Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, Slovakia, and Carpathian Ruthenia. Conflict internally with minority groups, determination. Conflict internationally: Germans living in Sudetenland . Allied itself with Nazi Germany
Socialism with a human face
Motto for Dubcek's liberalization of the Communist party during the Prague Spring. It meant eliminating the repressive features and allowed greater freedom of expression and tolerating political and social organizations not under communist control
Velvet Revolution
Non-violent transition of power. Started as a response to police suppressing a peaceful student demonstration, continued into the Party announced that it would relinquish power and dismantle the single-party state. Institution of democratic state.
National Theater in Prague
Opened in 1881 but planning and construction began in 1844 as an ARTICULATION OF CZECH NATIONAL REVIVAL; built exclusively thanks to donations by Czech citizens, it was mean as a Czech CULTURAL OUTPOST IN A GERMAN CITY. On its stage, Czech audiences saw their history reimagined in the form of dramas and OPERAS, and on its walls and ceilings, as MURALS.
History of the Czech People in Bohemia and Moravia
Originally "Czech Nation" in German, translated into Czech with "People". Written by František Palacký (franteeshek pahlahtskee) between 1836 and 1867, this multi-volume history REIMAGINED THE CZECH NATION LARGELY AS THE LEGACY OF CHARLES IV and the HUSSITE MOVEMENT, with its innate DEMOCRATISM, TOLERANCE, AND HUMANISM, up to the year 1526, when Bohemia became part of the Habsburg Empire (hence to write further, Palacký claimed, would have compelled him to lie). Its title indicates its Herderian inspirations insofar as it is a history not of a state but of a people (volk), the Czech people (as opposed to the German). By the same token, it was WRITTEN EXPRESSLY TO ENLIGHTEN THE CZECH NATION about itself and thus to contribute to the building of its national consciousness. -ETHOS OF THE PEOPLE, like Mickiewicz's poetry
1848
PAN-SLAV CONGRESS or Prague Slavic Congress 1848. Meeting to show resistance to German nationalism. PRIMARY LANGUAGE USED: GERMAN. Meant to inspire unity among Slavic peoples of Europe. Expressing the combination of civic liberation and national rights (inspired by recent French Revolution), became part of grand Year of Revolutions in the Austrian Empire. - Czech islands in a sea of Germanism
1968
PRAGUE SPRING. Liberalization in Czechoslovakia, attempts from First Secretary Dubček to grant additional rights (loosened restrictions on media, speech, travel), general decentralization and democratization. Soviets not happy- sent WARSAW PACT TROOPS TO OCCUPY the country. Protests ensued (self-immolation and suicides), remained under control until 1989. Beginning of normalization, restoration of political and economic values that had been repealed. Husák becomes president.
Kaiserlich und königlich
Refers to the Court of the Habsburgs in a broader historical perspective, particularly the Dual Monarchy of Austria Hungary.
St Vitus Cathedral
Roman Catholic cathedral, seat of the archbishop of Prague located within the Prague Castle; Gothic cathedral commissioned by Charles IV
Jan Kollar
Slovak ethnically, wrote in Czech epic sonnets about present and past homelands of Slavic peoples, CHRONICLING THE STRUGGLE OF SLAVS UNDER GERMANS; feared disappearance of slavic peoples, only to be preserved through unification of the Slavic Family. -ideologized a pan-slavism as the unification of principalities against pan-Germanism - Personally favored Russophile Slavism, with Russia as a protector of the Slavic states
Public Against Violence
Slovakian political movement, counterpart to the Civic Forum. Would play a role in the Velvet Revolution, as well as being foundations for the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia
Slavs of the Habsburg Empire
Slovenes, Slovaks, Czechs, Croats, Poles, Ruthenians (Ukrainians), Serbs, Bosniacks
Golden Age of Bohemia
The 14th century, particularly the reign of Charles IV. Included strengthening of power and prestige of the kingdom, especially elevating the archbishop in Prague freeing it from the HRE.
SVEJK
The Little Czech Man: Plebeian, egalitarian, empathetic, without patience for stupidity or hypocrisy -" Kleinerai": small actions - Persona of the Czech
Wenceslas Square
The symbolic heart of Prague and, by extension, the Czech lands; where the Czech National Museum is located, the treasure-house of Czech history and culture; dominated by the statue of St. Wenceslas, patron saint of Bohemia; since the end of the nineteenth century where events of great national import have taken place: the proclamation of Czechoslovakia's independence in 1918; DEMONSTRATIONS in support of the Prague Spring in 1968,; Jan Palach's self-immolation in 1969 to protest its crushing by Warsaw Pact armies; and the CELEBRATION of the Czech victory over the USSR in hockey in 1975.
Nov-Dec 1989
VELVET REVOLUTION. Student and dissident demonstrations against the Communist Party following the police suppression of a student riot in Prague leads to conversion to a parliamentary republic. General secretary resigns, sections of the Constitution guaranteeing single party removed. President Husak (Hu-saak) resigns, Alexander Dubcek elected speaker, Havel is president December 29
Slavic Ethnography
Written by Safarik, containing a complete account of Slavonic ethnology with data on languages, ethnic borders, and a MAP depicting a Slavic nation divided into units. Inspired Slavic peoples to consider themselves as a united people, particularly during Czech revival and the increasing tide of Pan-Slavism.
Pavel Jozef Šafárik/Šafařík
[Pahvel Jozef Shahfahrzheek](1795-1861). A Protestant Slovak philologist who wrote in Czech and German. A leading figure of the CZECH NATIONAL REVIVAL, he wrote some of the foundational works of Czech Panslavism, including History of the Slavic Language and Literature (1826), Slavic Antiquities (1837) and, perhaps most importantly, "SLAVIC ETHNOGRAPHY (1842-1843). Full of MAPS that GRAPHICALLY ILLUSTRATE THE EXTENT of the Slavic world, both past and present, the latter work had a profound INFLUENCE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PAN-SLAVIC IDEAS.
