Fun Trivia : Czech

Structure Sub-topic of: European Quizzes Interesting Questions, Facts and Information There are a total of 10 general entries. Special Topics The Defenestrations of Prague Bohemia and Moravia, 800-1620

Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information

Czech

In what region of Europe was Czechoslovakia situated?

Czechoslovakia 1918-93


Central Europe. The Cold War, which divided Europe into East and West, tended to make many older sub-divisions of the continent obsolete. However, geographically and culturally, Czechoslovakia was (and its successor states, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, are) part of Central Europe.



What was the capital of Czechoslovakia?

Czechoslovakia 1918-93


Prague . Prague is also the capital of the province (formerly Kingdom) of Bohemia. It is now the capital of the Czech Republic. In Slav mythology Princess Libusa (or Libussa) prophesied: 'There shall arise a city in Bohemia, whose beauty and glory will reach to the heavens. It will be called "Praha" '. Prague survived WWII relatively unscathed and is arguably the most beautiful major city in Central Europe. A great range of architectural styles from Gothic to Early Modern are well represented there.



Who was the 'founding father' of Czechoslovakia?

Czechoslovakia 1918-93


Tomas Masaryk. Masaryk also served as president of Czechoslovakia from 1918-35. Smetana (1824-84) is a well known Czech composer. President Wilson supported the establishment of Czechoslovakia, but that doesn't make him the 'founding father'.



The Czech author, Jaroslav Hasek (1883-1923), wrote a novel satirizing Austrian rule, especially during WWI. He created a character which has achieved wide currency. The English title of the book is 'The Good Soldier ...'?

Czechoslovakia 1918-93


Schweik. Jaroslav Hasek succeeded in creating a new archetype - the now surly, now cheerful 'awkward guy', passive resister and clown, too.



In 1938, Czechoslovakia was forced to hand over a substantial part of its territory to Nazi Germany. What was the territory called?

Czechoslovakia 1918-93


The Sudetenland. The Sudentenland bordered Germany and Austria, and the population was predominantly German-speaking. The Nazis' claim that the German-speaking population was persecuted by the government of Czechoslovakia was untrue.



In May 1942, the Free Czechoslovak Army killed the only prominent Nazi to be assassinated in World War II. Who was it?

Czechoslovakia 1918-93


Heydrich. Heydrich was 'Protector' (= Governor) of Bohemia and Moravia, an SS-General and was in charge of the 'Final Solution.' (He was also Head of the 'Reichssicherheitshauptamt' - the Reich Main Security Office - which co-ordinated the activities of the SS from late September 1939 till the end of WWII). After his assassination he was officially revered by the Nazi régime as if he were some kind of 'saint'.



What was the status of Slovakia for most of World War II?

Czechoslovakia 1918-93


A Nazi puppet state. Tiso, the Fascist dictator of Slovakia from 1939-44, was a zealous supporter of the Nazis.



Who was the politician who tried to implement a series of political and economic reforms in the 'Prague Spring' of 1968, which was suppressed by the other Warsaw Pact countries in August 1968?

Czechoslovakia 1918-93


Dubcek . Dubcek tried to introduce 'socialism with a human face' in Czechoslovakia. In some respects he was a forerunner of the reformers of 1989.



The 'Velvet Revolution' of November-December 1989 resulted in the collapse of Communism in Czechoslovakia. Vaclav Havel, the former dissident who became the new President, was also well known as a ...?

Czechoslovakia 1918-93


Playwright. In 1993, the country divided, without bloodshed, into two separate countries - the Czech Republic and Slovakia.