Prague The Prague Astronomical Clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still working. Prague (/ˈprɑːɡ/; Czech: Praha pronounced [ˈpraɦa] ( )) is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. It is the fourteenth-largest city in the European Union.[6] It is also the historical capital of Bohemia. Prague has been a political, cultural, and economic centre of central Europe with waxing and waning fortunes during its 1,100-year existence. The city boasts more than ten major museums, along with numerous theatres, galleries, cinemas, and other historical exhibits. History[edit] During the thousand years of its existence, the city grew from a settlement stretching from Prague Castle in the north to the fort of Vyšehrad in the south, becoming the multicultural capital of a modern European state, the Czech Republic, a member state of the European Union. Early history[edit] A view of one of the bridge towers of the Charles Bridge
Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia (or Czecho-Slovakia;[1] Czech and Slovak: Československo, Česko-Slovensko)[2] was a sovereign state in Central Europe that existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until its peaceful dissolution into Czechia and Slovakia on 1 January 1993. From 1939 to 1945, following its forced division and partial incorporation into Nazi Germany, the state did not de facto exist but its government-in-exile continued to operate. On 29 June 1945, a treaty was signed between Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union, ceding Carpatho-Ukraine to the USSR. From 1948 to 1990 Czechoslovakia had a command or planned economy, which was disintegrated on 1 January 1991, removing price controls after a period of preparation. Basic characteristics[edit] The Czech lion in the small coat of arms Form of state Neighbours Topography The country was of generally irregular terrain. Climate Official names[edit] History[edit] Foundation[edit] Origins[edit] Founding[edit]
Hussite Wars The Hussite Wars, also called the Bohemian Wars or the Hussite Revolution, were fought between the Hussites (the followers of Bohemian priest and reformer Jan Hus) and various monarchs who sought to enforce the authority of the Roman Catholic Church against the Hussites, and also between Hussite factions. These wars lasted from 1419 to circa 1434. The Hussite community included most of the Czech population of the Kingdom of Bohemia, and formed a major military power. They defeated five crusades proclaimed against them by the Pope (1420, 1421, 1422, 1427 and in 1431), and intervened in the wars of neighboring countries. The Hussite Wars were notable for the extensive use of early hand-held firearms such as hand cannons. The fighting ended after 1434, when the moderate Utraquist faction of the Hussites defeated the radical Taborite faction. Origins[edit] In 1414, Sigismund of Hungary convened the Council of Constance to end the Schism and resolve other religious controversies. "1. 2. 3. 4.
Duchy of Bohemia The Duchy of Bohemia was formerly part of Great Moravia and became an independent principality in the 9th century. It became part of the Holy Roman Empire from the early 11th century. The Přemyslid dynasty which had ruled Bohemia since the 9th century remained in power throughout the High Middle Ages, until the extinction of the male line with the death of Wenceslaus III of Bohemia in 1306. The Duchy of Bohemia was raised to a kingdom under Ottokar I in 1198. History[edit] With the fragmentation of Great Moravia under the pressure of the Magyar incursions in the 9th century, Bohemia began to form as an independent principality from the 880s. Cut off from Byzantium by the Hungarian presence, the Bohemian Principality existed as independent state but in the shadow of the East Francia, the Dukes paid tribute in exchange for confirmation of the peace treaty. Boleslaus I, Duke of Bohemia, assumed the Bohemian throne in 935, conquered Moravia, Silesia and expanded farther to the east.
Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV (Czech: Karel IV., German: Karl IV., Latin: Carolus IV; 14 May 1316 – 29 November 1378[1]), born Wenceslaus,[2] was the second King of Bohemia from the House of Luxembourg, and the first King of Bohemia also to become Holy Roman Emperor. He was the eldest son and heir of King John of Bohemia, who died at the Battle of Crécy on 26 August 1346. Charles inherited the County of Luxembourg and the Kingdom of Bohemia from his father. On 2 September 1347, Charles was crowned King of Bohemia. On 11 July 1346, prince-electors elected him King of the Romans (rex Romanorum) in opposition to Emperor Louis IV. Life[edit] King of the Romans[edit] On 11 July 1346, in consequence of an alliance between his father and Pope Clement VI, relentless enemy of the emperor Louis IV, Charles was chosen as Roman king in opposition to Louis by some of the prince-electors at Rhens. Charles IV was initially in a very weak position in Germany. Charles initially worked to secure his power base.
Defenestrations of Prague The Defenestrations of Prague (Czech: Pražská defenestrace, German: Prager Fenstersturz) were two incidents in the history of Bohemia; there have been more, see below. The first occurred in 1419 and the second in 1618, although the term "Defenestration of Prague" more commonly refers to the later incident. Both helped to trigger prolonged conflict within Bohemia and beyond. Defenestration is the act of throwing someone or something out of a window. First Defenestration of Prague[edit] The First Defenestration of Prague involved the killing of seven members of the city council by a crowd of radical Czech Hussites on 30 July 1419. King Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia, upon hearing this news, was stunned and died shortly after, supposedly due to the shock.[1] The procession was a result of the growing discontent at the contemporary direction of the Church and the inequality between the peasants and the Church's prelates, and the nobility. Second Defenestration of Prague[edit] Background[edit]
History of Czechoslovakia With the collapse of the Habsburg monarchy at the end of World War I, the independent country of Czechoslovakia[1] (Czech, Slovak: Československo) was formed, encouraged by, among others, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. The Czechs and Slovaks were not at the same level of economic and technological development, but the freedom and opportunity found in an independent Czechoslovakia enabled them to make strides toward overcoming these inequalities. However, the gap between cultures was never fully bridged, and the discrepancy played a continuing role throughout the seventy-five years of the union. Political history[edit] Historical settings to 1918[edit] Czechoslovak Legions in Vladivostok (1918) Czechoslovak lands within the Austro-Hungarian Empire according to the controversial 1910 census of the Kingdom of Hungary. The creation of Czechoslovakia in 1918 was the culmination of the 19th-century struggle of identity and ethnicity politics of a multi-ethnic, multi-linguisitic empire.
Velvet Revolution Memorial plaque on Albertov (cs), the place where Velvet revolution started. Translation: when – if not now? who – if not us? Václav Havel honoring the deaths of those who took part in the Prague protest. Non-violent protesters facing armed policemen with flowers The Velvet Revolution (Czech: sametová revoluce) or Gentle Revolution (Slovak: nežná revolúcia) was a non-violent transition of power in what was then Czechoslovakia. On November 17, 1989 (International Students' Day), riot police suppressed a student demonstration in Prague.[2] That event sparked a series of demonstrations from November 19 to late December. In response to the collapse of other Warsaw Pact governments and the increasing street protests, the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia announced on November 28 that it would relinquish power and dismantle the single-party state. In June 1990, Czechoslovakia held its first democratic elections since 1946. Prior to the revolution[edit] Chronology[edit] November 16[edit]
The Good Soldier Švejk The Good Soldier Švejk (/ˈʃveɪk/; Czech: [ˈʃvɛjk]), also spelled Schweik or Schwejk, is the abbreviated title of an unfinished satirical/dark comedy novel by Jaroslav Hašek. The original Czech title of the work is Osudy dobrého vojáka Švejka za světové války, literally The Fateful Adventures of the Good Soldier Švejk During the World War. It is the most translated novel of Czech literature. Švejk has become the Czech national personification. The novel was originally illustrated by Josef Lada and more recently also by Czech illustrator Petr Urban.[1] Hašek originally intended Švejk to cover a total of six volumes, but had completed only three (and started on the fourth) upon his death from heart failure on January 3, 1923. Themes[edit] Lada's illustration of the rheumatic Švejk being wheeled off to war. The novel is set during World War I in Austria-Hungary, a multi-ethnic empire full of long-standing tensions. The character of Josef Švejk is a development of this theme. Plot summary[edit]