Title Czechoslovakia : the state that failed / Mary Heimann

Published New Haven : Yale University Press, [2009] ©2009

Click on the following:
JSTOR eBooks

Copies

Description 1 online resource (xxi, 406 pages) : illustrations, map Contents Before Czechoslovakia -- The invention of a state -- A troubled democracy -- The fascist appeal -- A republic and a protectorate -- From national cleansing to communist dictatorship -- Building the socialist state -- The Bratislava and Prague Spring -- Back to normal -- From resentment to revolution -- The end of Czechoslovakia Summary Czechoslovakia, the state which preceded today's Czech and Slovak republics, lasted for just seventy-four years, the span of an average person's lifetime. In these years, it experienced democracy, Fascist dictatorship, Nazi occupation, Communist rule, Soviet invasion and, finally, democracy again. In this groundbreaking history, based on archive sources, Mary Heimann brings alive Czechoslovakia's troubled existence, from the international machinations that led to its founding at the end of the First World War to its peaceful partition in 1993. Controversially, she argues against the simplistic Western view of Czechoslovakia as a plucky little country unfortunate in its neighbors which was sacrificed first to Hitler and then to Stalin. Instead she tells an unexpected and much more interesting story: of a state which was not just the victim but also a perpetrator of intolerant nationalism. Most notably, she argues that the Czech and Slovak authorities share responsibility with the Great Powers not only for the Munich Crisis, but also for wartime persecution of Jews and Gypsies, the brutality of the post-war German and Hungarian expulsions, the failure of the Prague Spring, and the grim reality of Czechoslovak Communism Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 325-375) and index Notes Print version record Subject Nationalism -- Czechoslovakia -- History -- 20th century HISTORY -- Modern -- 20th Century. Histoire. Evolution politique. Nationalisme. Autonomy and independence movements Ethnic relations Nationalism Politics and government SUBJECT Czechoslovakia -- History -- 20th century Czechoslovakia -- Politics and government. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85035324 Czechoslovakia -- History -- Autonomy and independence movements Czechoslovakia -- Ethnic relations -- History -- 20th century Subject Tchécoslovaquie. Czechoslovakia Tschechoslowakei Genre/Form History Form Electronic book LC no. 2009021977 ISBN 9780300179156 0300179154

  Permalink