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Superpower Blunders: Czechoslovakia in 1938
Superpower Blunders: Czechoslovakia in 1938
The Czechoslovakia crisis of 1938 marked a pivotal shift in the balance of power in Central Europe, putting the major world superpowers in a collision course. The policies of one superpower in particular made inevitable what was to come less than a year later – World War II.
This episode provides important historical insights on geopolitics, appeasement strategies, buffer zones, ethnic tensions – and unintended consequences.
Background
Czechoslovakia was formed as a sovereign state in October 1918, and eventually became one of the most democratic, prosperous and best administered of all the nations that emerged out of the collapse of the Habsburg Empire after World War I.
In 1930, the country had a population of 15 million, consisting of 6 million Czechs (40% of total), 4 million Slovaks (27%), 3.2 million Germans (21%), and the balance (12%) split between Hungarians, Polish, Ruthenians and foreigners. The large number of minorities arose from the need to give Czechoslovakia defensible and viable frontiers. This was a sensitive issue for the sizeable German speaking population, which had previously attempted to unite with German Austria.
There were four main regions in the country (listed from west to east): Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia and Ruthenia. The western regions were wealthier. The border districts of Bohemia and Moravia and the domestic portion of Silesia were inhabited primarily by German speakers, a region known as the Sudetenland (a name derived from the Sudetes Mountains, which run along the northern border).
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Russia expels Polish diplomats as row deepens – Europe – Al Jazeera English
Russia expels Polish diplomats as row deepens – Europe – Al Jazeera English.
Russia has expelled a number of Polish diplomats accusing them of activities “incompatible with their status” in response to expulsions of Russian diplomats by Warsaw, the foreign ministry has said.
“The Polish authorities indeed took such an unfriendly and absolutely groundless step,” the ministry said on Monday, confirming Polish media reports that several Russian officials had been expelled by Warsaw earlier.
“The Russian side took appropriate measures and a number of Polish diplomats have already left the territory of our country for activities incompatible with their status,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement, using diplomatic language that generally refers to espionage.
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Over 200 arrests as Warsaw nationalist march ends in clashes, flares, water cannon — RT News
Over 200 arrests as Warsaw nationalist march ends in clashes, flares, water cannon — RT News.
At least 276 people were arrested and just under 50 injured after clashes broke out in Warsaw. Polish nationalists took to the streets to mark the nation’s National Independence Day, throwing flares and stones at officers, who responded with water cannon.
Tens of thousands marched through the Polish capital Tuesday with many carrying the national flag, while flares and firecrackers were also let off. The march was attended by extremist nationalist groups, such as the Radical Camp and the All-Polish Youth.
Marches through the city’s capital have taken place every year since 2008 and have often led to clashes between rival political organizations.
For the fourth consecutive year the procession turned violent, with a group breaking away as they crossed a bridge over the Vistula river and reached the eastern bank, near the Polish national football stadium.
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