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This book, the most thoroughly researched and accurate history of Czechoslovakia to appear in English, tells the story of the country from its founding in 1918 to partition in 1992—from fledgling democracy through Nazi occupation, Communist rule, and invasion by the Soviet Union to, at last, democracy again.The common Western view of Czechoslovakia has been that of a small nation that was sacrificed at Munich in 1938 and betrayed to the Soviets in 1948, and which rebelled heroically against the repression of the Soviet Union during the Prague Spring of 1968. Mary Heimann dispels these myths and shows how intolerant nationalism and an unhelpful sense of victimhood led Czech and Slovak authorities to discriminate against minorities, compete with the Nazis to persecute Jews and Gypsies, and pave the way for the Communist police state. She also reveals Alexander Dubcek, held to be a national hero and standard-bearer for democracy, to be an unprincipled apparatchik. Well written, revisionist, and accessible, this groundbreaking book should become the standard history of Czechoslovakia for years to come.

This groundbreaking work presents a revisionist history of Czechoslovakia's struggle for independence from 1917 to the death of Jan Masaryk in March 1948. The authors focus on three critical events in Czechoslovak history: the year of its founding in the midst of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1918, the Munich betrayal in 1938, and the Communist coup of 1948. The account is informed by John Crane's longstanding personal acquaintance with the Masaryk family and by Sylvia Crane's extensive research into previously inaccessible original archival sources. The Cranes argue that throughout the period in question, Czechoslovakia was victimized by the rival Great Powers as they attempted to forge their own separate spheres of influence in Europe. Among their startling new findings is their assessment that Jan Masaryk, their brother-in-law, committed suicide on March 10, 1948, correcting the Cold War myth that claims he was murdered. The book begins with an examination of the early years of the Czechoslovakian independence movement during World War I. Among the Cranes' most notable discoveries are documents, until recently classified by the British Foreign Office, that demonstrate how Great Britain used the Czechoslovak Legions in Bolshevik Russia to fight the Soviets--contrary to President Thomas Masaryk's desires and the arrangements he had made for their withdrawal. The next set of chapters addresses the events leading up to Munich 1938 and demonstrates the various roles played by the Great Powers in the ultimate betrayal of Czechoslovakia to Hitler. Finally, the Cranes turn their attention to the immediate post-World War II period. They argue that American policies, based on strong anti-Soviet attitudes, were a major contributing factor in the defeat of democratic forces within Czechoslovakia by hardline Communists. Throughout, the Cranes rely on both their extensive research into primary sources and their intimate knowledge of the Masaryk family to offer the reader an unusually revealing account of the critical events in Czechoslovakia's turbulent history. Must reading for Cold War historians, this book will also be of significant interest to students of European politics, particularly in light of the recent events in Eastern Europe.

Here, Patrick Crowhurst identifies the crucial political problem that faced Czechoslovakia between 1918 and 1939 - the rift between the Czechs and the Sudeten Germans that would open the way for the rise of Konrad Henlein's right-wing 'Sudeten Deutsch' party, and which was exploited ruthlessly by Hitler during Nazi Germany's 1938 annexation of Czechoslovakia. A History of Czechoslovakia Between the Wars deepens our understanding of a fragile Europe before World War II, and is essential for students and scholars of 20th century history.

Excerpt from Three Years of the Czechoslovak Republic: A Survey of Its Progress and Achievements A couple of centuries passed, and it seemed as if the Czechs had been finally absorbed and lost their nationality. Indeed, they were look ed upon as non-existent, for the Czech language, customs and traditions were maintained only by peasants, and the enemies of the Czechs rejoiced, believing the Czech nation to be dead. In this, however, they were mis taken. The French ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity awakened fresh hopes in the hearts of the down-trodden Czech peasants, and the nine teenth century saw the rebirth of the Czechoslovak nation. This remark able revival on the part of the Czechs was at first purely literary, and it was not until the forties that it became political. But as soon as the revived Czech national movement assumed a political character it was directed against the German and Magyar domination. Czech leaders, from Havlicek and Palacky to Krama'r and Masaryk, all strove to reform Austria on a federal basis of justice to all the peoples inhabitating the Habsburg Empire. But it was in vain. The Habsburgs and their satellites wanted Austria to remain a German State. When the Great War broke out, the Czechoslovaks realised their chance of achieving their long-cherished hope of liberation from the Habsburg rule to which they had been subjected for three hundred years. Their position was truly tragic. Conscripted in the austro-hungarian Army, the Czechoslovak soldiers had to fight against their brother Slavs, the Russians and Serbians, for a cause which they detested from thebottom of their hearts. The Czechoslovaks revolted. Their leaders refused to make any declaration of loyalty to either Austria or Hungary, and were imprisoned and even sentenced to death. The Czechoslovak soldiers refused to march, and surrendered whenever Opportunity offered itself. The formation of the Czechoslovak army in Russia and its successes is the most interesting chapter in the Czechoslovak movement for independence. This army showed its valour during Kerensky's offensive in July, 1917, in which it was only the Czechoslovaks who really fought. At the battle of Zborov they took over prisoners and a large quantity of ma terial. General Brusiloff himself could not conceal his admiration of their achievement when he said in his official communique that the Czecho slovaks fought in such a way that the world ought to fall on its knees before them. Further military successes of the Czechoslovaks, by which they rendered such valuable service to the Allied cause did not remain -without deep appreciation from the Allies. Mr. Lloyd George in a tele gram to President Masaryk on September 12, 1918, declared that the story of the adventures and triumphs of this small army was indeed one of the greatest epics, of history. It has filled us all, Mr. Lloyd George for the courage, persistence and self-control; oft ypur countrymenf'and shows what can be done to triumph over time, lacko'of '1'naterial resources by those holding the spirit of freedom in their hearts. Your nation has rendered inestimable service to Russia and to the Allies in their struggle to free the world from despotism. We shall never forget it. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com