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History of Bohemia and Czechoslovakia

Earliest History of Bohemia

  • Geographical Context

    • Bohemia: Core region of the Czech Republic

    • Other historical regions: Moravia (southeast), Silesia (northeast)

  • Prehistoric Evidence

    • Various cultures existed from Prehistoric times, notably the Lower Paleolithic

    • Approximate Age: 600,000 years ago

    • Limited detailed historical records until the arrival of Maroboduus, a leader from a Germanic tribe.

    • Timeframe of Maroboduus: 30 BC to 38 AD

    • Notable archaeological find: Venus of Dolní Věstonice

    • Dating: 29,000 to 25,000 BC

The Time of Legends (Approx. 600 BC - 973 AD)

  • Celts and the Name of Bohemia

    • Timeframe: Around 600 BC

    • Celts referred to the area as "Boiohaema"

  • Germanic Tribes

    • Around 100 BC, Germanic tribes walk the region under the leadership of Maroboduus

  • Slavic Tribes

    • Arrival: 600 AD with the emergence of Czechs

    • Important historical figure: Duke Bořivoj (from 880 AD)

    • Significance: Spread of Christianity in the region

  • Christianity and Saints

    • Date of historical importance: Death of Saint Wenceslas (929-935 AD)

    • Establishment of the bishopric of Prague in 973

Geography and Urban Development of Early Prague

  • Crossing at River Vltava

    • Importance: Vital crossing point protected by a fortress located above (Prague Castle)

    • Historical Method: Original crossings made using rafts laid in the water

    • Local word: "prah" (meaning raft in Czech)

  • Urban Structure of Prague (9th-12th Century)

    • Development and significance of rafts as a mode of transport

Key Historical Figures and Dynasties

  • Saint Wenceslas and the Přemyslid Dynasty

    • Historical Significance: Duke of Bohemia in the early 10th century

    • Known for:

    • Being a martyr and saint, killed by his brother Boleslav's servants

    • Promoting Christianity, modesty, and charities

    • Founding of Church

    • Significant Event: Established a small church (rotunda) of Saint Vitus in 930

      • This became the core of the current St Vitus Cathedral

    • Dynastic Legacy

    • Grandson of Duke Bořivoj I, the first baptized ruler

    • Raised in Christianity by his grandmother

    • Overview of House Přemyslid’s significance:

    • At least 14 dukes recorded; established foundations for the Czech Kingdom

The Kingdom of Bohemia and Its Flourishing Power

  • Establishment and Initial Monarchs

    • 1085: Kingdom of Bohemia proclaimed, first monarch: Vratislav I

    • Vyšehrad Castle represented the monarchy and power

  • Remarkable Historical Milestones

    • 1212: Golden Bull of Sicily

    • 1306: End of the Přemyslid dynasty; death of Wenceslas III

    • 1344: Archbishopric established in Prague

    • 1346: Charles IV becomes King of Bohemia

    • 1355: Charles IV is crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire

    • 1378: Death of Charles IV, ascended by Wenceslas IV

Architectural and Cultural Developments in Prague

  • Urban Foundations

    • 1320: Hradčany (Castle Town) established

    • 1348: New Town founded by Charles IV

    • 1342: Judith Bridge destroyed by flooding

    • 1357: New Stone Bridge commissioned by Charles IV

    • 1355: Prague declared capital of the Holy Roman Empire

    • Contributions by Charles IV:

    • Schools, churches, monasteries, and important squares laid the cultural groundwork

Religious Conflicts in the Czech Lands

  • Key Events

    • 1415: Execution of Jan Hus, a Catholic reformer, branding him as a heretic

    • 1419-1436: Hussite Wars leading to substantial cultural destruction

    • Post-conflict: Election of Vladislaus II of Hungary as king

    • 1526: Election of Ferdinand I from the Habsburg house as Czech king

    • 1583: Rudolph II Habsburg moves his residence to Prague

    • 1618: The Prague Defenestration precipitates the Thirty Years' War

    • 1620: Final defeat of Protestantism in Czech lands; Old Town Execution on June 21, 1621

  • Destruction from Fire

    • 1541: Great fire leading to major loss in Lesser Town, Hradčany, and Prague Castle

Composition of Prague Cities (1348-1784)

  • Independent Cities

    • Distinct jurisdictions that include:

    • Old Town

    • Lesser Town

    • Hradčany (Castle Town)

    • New Town

    • Jewish Ghetto

    • Administrative Reform

    • 1784: Joseph II merges these five cities into a singular City of Prague

Time of Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution

  • Cultural Context

    • Region was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire with Vienna as its focal point

    • Marginalization of Czech language and cultural life with German as the official language

  • National Revival Movement

    • 19th-century resurgence of Czech culture

  • Significant Historical Events

    • 1743: Marie Theresa crowned as queen of the Czech kingdom

    • 1740-1748: War of the Austrian Succession

    • 1780: Joseph II becomes emperor and king of Bohemia

    • 1848: Democratically inclined revolution

    • 1914-1918: World War I triggers various socio-political changes

Geopolitical Maps (Europe and Surrounding Regions)

  • Description of Historical Geography

    • Influencing factors across Europe labeled through various dominant nations and empires, such as:

    • Russian Empire

    • Austrian Empire

    • Various Polities including Prussia, Denmark, England, etc.

  • Overall Influence

    • Shape of modern nations and their boundaries significantly intertwined with Bohemia's historical development

Cities and Urban Growth Post-1784

  • Urban Development

    • Post-1784: Demolition of city walls allows for expansion

    • Industrial boom leads to urban migration

    • 1848: Jews permitted to relocate outside the Ghetto

    • Introduction of railways and construction of new bridges

    • Annexation of new districts

  • City Expansion Plans

    • 1922 Project for Greater Prague established and executed

Major Flood Events Affecting Prague

  • Flood Event Chronology

    • 1784: Severe flood recorded

    • 1890 floods documented leading to urban distress

Establishment of Independent Czechoslovak Republic

  • Significant Timeline

    • October 28, 1918: Czechoslovakia proclaimed, Masaryk as the first president

    • 1929: Great Depression inception with issues in unemployment and housing

    • 1935: Edvard Beneš becomes the second president

    • September 1938: Munich Agreement signing, endorsing Sudetenland to Nazi Germany

    • March 15, 1939: Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia; establishment of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia

War and the Birth of Socialist Czechoslovakia

  • Key Historical Events

    • 1941: Reinhard Heydrich becomes the Protector

    • May 27, 1942: Assassination of Heydrich during Operation Anthropoid by Czech and Slovak paratroopers

    • May 1945: Prague Uprising culminating in the city's liberation by the Red Army

    • May 1946: Election results favoring the Communist Party

    • February 25, 1948: Communists seize power in Czechoslovakia

    • Relevant International Events:

    • 1958: Brussels EXPO

    • 1968: Prague Spring outcome and subsequent occupation by the Warsaw Pact

The Velvet Revolution and the Transition to Democracy

  • Political Changes

    • Role of Václav Havel and others in articulating dissent through Charter 77

    • November 17, 1989: Initiation of the Velvet Revolution in Prague

    • December 29, 1989: Election of Václav Havel as president

    • January 1, 1993: Formal establishment of the Czech Republic

Architect from France Mateas of Aras1344 founded cathedral