Czechoslovakia History - the Beginning of an Independent State

With the defeat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the World War I, the Czech lands and Slovakia agreed on the foundation of an independent union. On 28.10.1918 the establishment of independent Czechia was proclaimed in Obecní Dům (The Prague Municipal House). The crowd on the Old Town Square dropped the post that symbolized Habsburg dynasty rule.

The union of the Czech lands and Slovakia was officially proclaimed in Prague on 14.11.1918. The Treaty of St. Germain (September 1919) formally recognized the new republic.

Prague turned into the capital of the newborn Czechoslovakia, and the Prague Castle turned into the permanent residence of its first president Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. Czechoslovakia adopted a parliamentary democracy regime. Since it concentrated 70% of the industry of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, the newborn Czechoslovakia became one of the strongest economies in the world.

During 1918 – 1939, Czechoslovakia continued to be a democratic republic consisting of the regions Bohemia, Slovakia, Czech Silesia and Ruthenia (Carpatho-Ukraine).