100 Years since the Establishment of Czechoslovakia and the Renewed Czech Statehood - Continuity and Discontinuity
Abstract
The 100th anniversary of the establishment of Czechoslovakia updates the issue of continuity and discontinuity of Czech statehood and state ideas. The Czech state, 100 years ago, took the form of a Republican Czechoslovakia.
The Slovaks also deserved this statehood. The state idea was co-created by T.G.
Masaryk and his colleagues and reflected in economic reforms, educational development and health care. It expressed democratic values and historical optimism about the mission of the Czech nation and the new state in Europe.
The successes and defeats of the new state were expressed by Masaryk in the Message to the 10th anniversary of the Republic. The criteria for its assessment can also be useful in assessing the 100th anniversary of the establishment of this state.
In 1989, citizens were inspired by these traditions when the regime was changed. Soon however, the supporters of the post-Munich republic, the monarchy, and other opponents were targeted by attacks.
The Czechoslovakian link is still alive, and is therefore the subject of a political and ideological struggle.