Was the Czechoslovak Republic Built on Solid Foundations?

2353 Words10 Pages
This investigation will assess how self-sufficient was the Czechoslovak republic at its early stages and whether it had the possibility of survival. In order to achieve a balanced argument I will analyse the other side of the argument aswell, which would be whether the conflicts and high expectations that sparked up by the end of the First World war in Europe ensured its failure. It is important to examine all the key factors that are involved in the creation of a republic and whether these factors were present and established in the Czechoslovak republic, in order to create a functional state with “solid foundations.“ It is important to analyse factors ranging from support from the allies, the abilities of theleader, whether the ekonomy was viable and prosperous so that it could help the republic to flourish further, and also to what degree was the ethnic division and the social problems and issue that could not have been resolved and therefore created an unstable environment in the country. The Czechs were campaining for independence even before the First World War and they had many arguments to back-up their calls for independence; their glorious past, deep love of freedom, sober, industrious virtues and anti-Bolshevik resistence which they showed. President Wilson talked about self-independence and the importance of a democratic rule, where each country would be able to decide for itself. Masaryk, who listened to his speeches decided to take advantage. Through his Fourteen points, where he addressed the issue, Wilson claimed that: “countries in the Austrian empire, whom we would like to see safe and secure, should be allowed to have an opportunity in autonomous development. In response to Wilson´s ideas, Tomas Garrigue Masaryk visited the United states many times during the war and met Wilson on many occasions. They discussed the Czechoslovak dilemma.
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