The Slovak Dilemma

The Slovak Dilemma is a case-study in nationalism.

Steiner (Author)

9780521077934, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 11 September 2008

240 pages
22.4 x 14.4 x 1.8 cm, 0.3 kg

The Slovak Dilemma is a case-study in nationalism. Accepting the view that the four and a half million Slovaks who inhabit the eastern part of Czechoslovakia are a separate Slav ethnic group, Dr Steiner describes their position in Czechoslovak history, their role in political life, the extraordinary persistence and continuing frustration of their national aspirations. After a brief survey of the history of the Slovaks under Hungarian rule, Dr Steiner examines their position in the democratic Czechoslovak Republic which was established in 1918. He analyses the causes of Slovak discontent and shows that although the new constitution granted full expression to Slovak culture, it limited complete development of Slovak national rights. Nevertheless he suggests that Slovak separatism played little part in the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia in 1938 and that the real attitude of the people towards Hitler's puppet Slovak State was eloquently expressed in their tragic rising against it in August 1944.

1. The Slovaks as a Nation
2. The First Czechoslovak Republic
3. Slovakia: 1918–38
4. After Munich
5. The National Policy of the Czechoslovak Communist Party
6. The Struggle in Exile
7. The Slovak National Uprising
8. After the Liberation
9 The Road to February
10. The Dark Fifties
11. The Impact of the Twentieth Congress
12. The Revolt of the Slovak Intellectuals
13. The Historical Argument
14 The Economic Argument
15. The Debate Continues
16. Before the Storm
17. The Open Clash
18. The Beginning of the Revolution
19. The New Communist Manifesto
20. The Slovak Response
21. The Aftermath of the Invasion
22. The Federal Republic
23. Husak's New Role
24. Epilogue.

Subject Areas: General & world history [HBG]