On the Issues of Vontinuity and Discontinuity in the Formation of the Independent State in 1918/1920
Abstract
The study deals with the problems of continuity and discontinuity connected with the establishment of Czechoslovakia in 1918/1920. An independent Czechoslovakia was established only after Austria-Hungary was broken up by the end of WWI.
The historical Czech lands were united together with Slovakia. The idea of an independent Czechoslovakia was not the original concept considered by Czech politicians at the beginning of WWI; it had been conceived by a small group of radical politicians.
The leading role among Czech representatives in exile was played by Professor Tomáš Masaryk. After 1915 Masaryk joined together with other collaborators, such as Edvard Beneš and Milan R. Štefánik, and established the Czechoslovak National Council.
They gradually gained support from the Allied Powers for the idea of an independent Czechoslovak state.
