Czech & Slovak Republics and Hungary

Czechoslovakia

Czech History• Kings ruled an independent kingdom within the Holy

Roman Empire• Then 400 years of rule by the Austrian Monarchs• 1918 – The winners of WWI approved plans to create a

new nation – Czechoslovakia (Czech lands and Slovakia• It became one of the most stable democratic

governments in the region• Hitler invaded in 1930’s• Soviet’s expelled the Germans in 1945 and the directed

a communist takeover.• Communist from 1948 – 1989.

Velvet Revolution- 1989

• Revolution without bloodshed• Resulted in election of a democratic

parliament and a transition to a free society and a market –based economy

Velvet Divorce

• Despite government attempts at fairness, Slovaks felt that the Czech –dominated government did not serve their interests

• Czech and Slovak leaders worked together to create two separate counties in 1993.

Czech Republic

• 10 million people• Size of South

Carolina• Plateaus and

Mountains• Independent nation

in 1993

Czech Economy

• Privatization• Seeking EU membership• Strong Industrial base• Skilled workforce

Czech Regions

• Bohemia– Western half– Mines (coal,iron ore,

copper, lead)– Industry– Quartz – glass making– Prague

• Moravia– Old coal and steel

industries

Challenges

• Old, inefficient industry• Pollution

– 56% forests destroyed by acid rain and pollution

Slovakia

• Slovak Republic• 5 million people• Mountains in

north, plains in south

• Danube river• Farming &

Manufacturing

Farming…

• Fruits, vegetables and grains grow near the Danube

• Oats and potatoes farther north (higher elevation)

• 1948 – communists – “Collective Farms”

Factories

• Manufacturing was not important until Communists assumed power

• Built many new factories – wages encouraged many people to move to cities like Bratislava.

• Some industries made transition – like tanks to earth moving machinery. Others did not.

Hungary

• 90% descended from Magyars who settled the area in the 800’s

• About the size of Indiana

• Long History

History

• “Birth” of nation in 1000 when the Pope crowned King Stephen

• Have had to get rid of several foreign rulers throughout their history

• Tried to oust the communists in 1956, but failed

• 1990 – First free elections in 40 years.

Hungary’s Regions

• Danube divides into two regions• East

– Broad plain – “Great Alfold” – “Breadbasket” of Europe

• West– Hills – “Transdanubia”– Deposits of Bauxite, coal, iron ore

Economy

• Like Poland, transition from communism to free market was difficult, with many speed bumps

• Modern economy, with privatization programs, is strong

The End