Czech History Study Notes

Earliest History of Bohemia

  • Bohemia is the core region of the Czech Republic.

  • It comprises historical regions including Moravia (southeast) and Silesia (northeast).

  • Prehistoric evidence indicates the presence of various cultures, notably:

    • Lower Paleolithic cultures dating back to 600,000 years ago.

  • Limited historical accounts of Bohemia’s events and rulers before Maroboduus (30 BC – 38 AD), a leader of a Germanic tribe.

  • Significant archaeological find of Venus of Dolní Věstonice, Moravia, dated 29,000 – 25,000 BC.

The Time of Legends

  • Cca 600 BC: The Celts referred to the area as Boiohaema.

  • 100 BC: Germanic tribes, led by Maroboduus, settled in the region.

  • 600 AD: Slavic tribes, known as the Czechs, entered the area.

  • From 880 AD: The spread of Christianity in Bohemia, with Prague emerging as the center under Duke Bořivoj.

  • 929/935 AD: Death of Saint Wenceslas, a crucial historical event.

  • 973: Establishment of the bishopric of Prague, bolstering the region's religious significance.

Protection and Major River

  • The Vltava River served as a vital crossing point, protected by the fortress overlooking it (Prague Castle).

  • Initial river crossings were accomplished via rafts, a method still reflected in the Czech word for raft, "prah", leading to the name "Praha" for the city.

  • Significant time frame considered from the Early Middle Ages (9th to 12th Century).

Merchant Routes in the 11-12 Century AD

  • The document lists numerous medieval cities across Central and Western Europe, highlighting key merchant routes that connected Prague to major urban centers:

    • Cities include Rostock, Lübeck, Wismar, Frankfurt, Leipzig, Paris, Venice, and many others.

    • Routes such as Via Imperii, Via Regia, and others were critical for trade and transport during this period.

Saint Wenceslas and the Přemyslid Dynasty

  • Notable historical figure: Duke Wenceslas of Bohemia in the early 10th century.

  • Recognized as both a martyr and a saint; he was murdered by servants of his brother Boleslav due to feuds over the throne.

  • Google Wenceslas is a symbol of Christianity—known for his modesty, charity, and aggressive promotion of Christian faith.

  • Rapidly revered posthumously with miracles attributed to him.

  • Significant contributions detailed:

    • Founding of a small church (rotunda) of Saint Vitus in 930, which is the precursor to today’s St Vitus Cathedral within Prague Castle.

    • He is a descendant of Duke Bořivoj I, the first ruler converted to Christianity, showcasing the royal family's Christian lineage.

    • His grandmother influenced his Christian upbringing.

    • The Přemyslid dynasty included at least 14 dukes and became the most notable in laying the kingdom's foundation.

Establishment of the Kingdom of Bohemia

  • 1085: The kingdom of Bohemia formally recognized with Vratislav I as the first king.

  • 1212: The Golden Bull of Sicily was issued, bolstering royal privileges.

  • 1306: The demise of the Přemyslid dynasty following the death of Wenceslas III.

  • 1344: Establishment of the archbishopric in Prague.

  • 1346: Charles IV ascends as king of Bohemia.

  • 1355: Charles IV is made emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, elevating Prague's political stature.

  • 1378: After the death of Charles IV, his son, Wenceslas IV, takes over the throne.

Prague’s Development in the 14th Century

  • Around 1320: Hradčany (Castle Town) was founded.

  • 1348: Establishment of the New Town by Charles IV.

  • 1342: Judith Bridge was destroyed due to flooding.

  • 1357: Charles IV commissioned the rebuilding of a new stone bridge—which later became the Charles Bridge.

  • 1355: Prague is designated as the capital of the Holy Roman Empire.

  • Charles IV's reign saw significant structural and cultural developments including:

    • Founding of universities, churches, monasteries, and key public squares.

Religious Wars and Political Turmoil

  • 1415: Execution of Jan Hus, a Czech reformer, marked as a significant event leading to his labeling as a heretic.

  • 1419–1436: Hussite wars ensued—this period involved severe destruction, including the looting and burning of churches and artworks.

  • Vladislaus II of Hungary elected as the king of the Czechs during this tumultuous time.

  • 1526: The House of Habsburg became the ruling dynasty in Bohemia with the election of Ferdinand I.

  • 1583: Emperor Rudolf II relocated his court to Prague, enhancing cultural significance.

  • 1618: The Prague Defenestration initiated the Thirty Years’ War—a long period of religious and political conflict.

  • 1620: Final defeat of the Protestant movement in Czech lands.

  • June 21, 1621: The Old Town Execution exhibited the dire consequences of the wars.

The Impact of Disasters and Changes

  • 1541: A devastating fire caused widespread destruction in Lesser Town, Hradčany, and Prague Castle.

Cities of Prague from 1348–1784

  • The five independent cities of Old Town, Lesser Town, Hradčany (Castle Town), New Town, and Jewish Ghetto had separate jurisdictions, tax systems, and guilds.

  • In 1784, Joseph II unified these cities under the singular administration of the City of Prague as part of his reforms.

The Era of Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution

  • The Czech lands existed within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, centrally governed from Vienna.

  • The Czech language and culture faced marginalization, with German as the official language.

  • Emergence of the National Revival movement during the 19th century, which sought to restore Czech identity.

  • Notable events include:

    • 1743: Marie Theresa appointed as queen of the Czech kingdom.

    • 1740–1748: War of the Austrian Succession.

    • 1780: Joseph II served as both emperor and king of Bohemia.

    • 1848: Pro-democratic revolution arose amidst a push for civil rights.

    • 1848: Franz Joseph I takes the throne during a time of political upheaval.

    • 1914–1918: The outbreak of World War I greatly affected the region.

Established Czechoslovakia and Interwar Period

  • October 28, 1918: Establishment of the independent Czechoslovak Republic with Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk as the first president.

  • 1929: The onset of the Great Depression led to significant unemployment and housing crisis in the country.

  • 1935: Edvard Beneš became the second president of Czechoslovakia.

  • September 1938: The Munich Agreement facilitated the ceding of Sudetenland to Nazi Germany.

  • March 15, 1939: Nazi Germany occupied Czechoslovakia, establishing the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.

War and the Birth of Socialist Czechoslovakia

  • September 1941: Reinhard Heydrich appointed as the Protector.

  • May 27, 1942: Execution of Heydrich during Operation Anthropoid, coordinated by Czech and Slovak resistance.

  • May 1945: A Prague uprising led to liberation by the Red Army.

  • May 1946: Electoral victory for the Communist Party.

  • February 25, 1948: Communist Party consolidates power in Czechoslovakia.

  • 1958: Participation in the Brussels Expo, showcasing developments.

  • 1968: The Prague Spring movement and subsequent invasion by the Warsaw Pact suppressed reforms.

Final Takeaway: Transition to the Czech Republic

  • 1977: Václav Havel and other dissidents launched the Charter 77 movement promoting human rights.

  • November 17, 1989: The Velvet Revolution commenced in Prague to drive out Communist rule.

  • December 29, 1989: Václav Havel elected as president following the Velvet Revolution.

  • January 1, 1993: The establishment of the Czech Republic post the split from Slovakia.

Prague Cubist Artists:

  • Emil Filla

  • Otto Gutfreund

  • Pavel Janak

  • josef Mocker

Cubist buildings:

  • Bank of Czechoslovak region

  • House at the black Madonna - pragues first cubist building by josef gocar

  • Skoda palace

  • Hotel julis

What dorm were they executed in prague

  • Hlávka dorm

Name 5 famous people who were burried in the vysehrad cementary

  • Antonin Dvorak

  • Karel Capek

  • Alphonse Mucha

  • Karel hynek macha

  • Jaroslav Heyrovsky

Where can the works of mislbeck be found

  • National museum

  • Weceslas Square

Art Noveau Examples:

Municipal house

Mucha Museum

Main Train Station

Church of St. Ludmilla - church at Namesti Miru 1892 by mocker

Jan Hus Was executed on:

July 6, 1415

Burned at stake in Germany

When did Prague Spring end?

August 21, 1968

Palacký monument - with the linden tree dude

  • 1912

  • Stanislav Sucharda

NG - Veletržní Palác - or the national gallery of prague

Jungmann Monument

Roman numerals

MDCCCLXXVIII

1878

National Czech Revival Symbol

National Museum is core symbol of czech Identity

Cubist villa kovarovic designed by Josef Chochol 1912-1913

Vyšehrad - Basilica of St. Peter and Paul

built by josef mocker