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CZECH AND SLOVAK REPUBLICS AND HUNGARY. UNIT 5. CZECH REPUBLIC. Nationhood Czech Kings ruled independently within Holy Roman Empire into the 14 th century Austrian Hapsburg empire then ruled for about 400 years. Nationhood.
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CZECH REPUBLIC • Nationhood • Czech Kings ruled independently within Holy Roman Empire into the 14th century • Austrian Hapsburg empire then ruled for about 400 years
Nationhood • At end of WWI, 1918, new nation of Czechoslovakia formed which brought together Czech lands and Slovakia • 1930’s Hitler attacked Czechoslovakia under the premise that many Germans lived there • 1945 WWII Ended and 1948-1989 Russia took over as part of Communist Block
Nationhood • 1980’s the Communist block was on the decline and Czechoslovakia gained its independence through a velvet revolution • Slovaks thought they were not being fairly treated-1993 Czech and Slovak Republics were formed
Czech Economy • Economic Reform • Privitization • Czech Republic continues to seek EU membership
SLOVAKIA • Also known as the Slovak Republic • 5 Million plus live in in Slovakia • Rugged peaks in the North to plains in the south • Mixed economy
Farming • Traditionally has always been an agricultural region • Crops: • Collective farms-communist practice
Factories • Manufacturing grew in importance under communist rule • Factory wages: • Slovaks have struggled since gaining independence • Relations with Hungary have also been difficult
Hungary • About 90% of all Hungarians are descendants of Magyars • Magyars settled this area in the 800’s • The Roman Catholic Church plays a strong role in Hungary
Hungarians • Hungarians have been fierce in fight for sovereignty • Nation dates back to about 1000AD, the Pope crowned King Stephen that year
Sovereignty • Hungarians have fought off foreign rule many times • Tried to oust Soviet Government in 1956 but the revolt was crushed • 1990 brought freedom and elections
Hungary’s Land • Size of the State of Indiana • Divided by the Danube River • East is rolling plains, great for farming sometimes refer to as the “Breadbasket” of Europe • West is more hilly with large deposits of minerals such as coal, bauxite and iron ore
Free Enterprise • Converting from Communism was difficult • Unemployment was high and the government was in debt • An ambitious privatization program was started to stop the decline • In 2000 the economy began to turn for the better