Czech Realist Party
Czech Progressive Party Česká strana pokroková | |
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The Czech Realist Party officially Czech Progressive Party founded as Czech People's Party (also known as "Realists") was founded in 1900 by
Founding
Tomáš Masaryk was a key figure in the creation of the Czech Realist Party. He believed in a liberal democracy and his beliefs got him voted into the Bohemian Diet and Reichsrat (Austrian Parliament) in 1891.[1] However, his time in politics was short lived and he resigned in 1893 after martial law was imposed in Prague when protests broke out in 1893.[1] Although he gained support through his time in office, his role in the Hilsner Affair had a much larger effect on his role in creating the Czech Realist Party.
The
Beliefs
The Czech Realist Party was led by Thomas Masaryk who wanted not only a free, open democracy[2] but also a unified republic state for Czechs and Slovaks.[3] He worked alongside Edvard Beneš to establish the goal of a unified state, and would eventually go on to be the first president of Czechoslovakia. The Realist Party wanted equality in the workplace for women, as well as universal suffrage. It sought for the legitimate establishment of democracy as a political power in Czechoslovakia. The Young Czech Party, which eventually merged with the Realist Party, was founded in 1848 and as such it was founded on nationalist ideologies, which continued through in the Realist Party.[3] This nationalist attitude is demonstrated through the movement for a unified Czech and Slovakian state. However, Masaryk has also been accused of showing slight totalitarian leanings, as he believed that one interpretation of history and vision of the future should be imposed.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d William Mahoney, The History of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, (2011), 123-4.
- ^ Eva Schmitt-Hartmann, "Thomas G. Masaryk's Realism: Origins of a Czech Political Concept", (1984), 150.
- ^ a b Jorg Hirsch and Kim Travnor, http://www.conflicts.rem33.com/images/Ungarn/modhunhist_II.htm
- ^ Eva Schmitt-Hartmann, "Thomas G. Masaryk's Realism: Origins of a Czech Political Concept", (1984), 194.