How 2 countries divorced peacefully

Summary

Czechoslovakia's peaceful dissolution into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993, known as the Velvet Divorce, was a unique event in history. Born in 1918 from the Austro-Hungarian Empire's collapse, the nation experienced a tumultuous journey, including a brief split before WWII and Communist rule post-1945. Despite a young democracy and initial public opposition, political will led to the nation's amicable split without violence, contrasting sharply with the concurrent, bloody Yugoslav breakup. Today, the Czech and Slovak peoples maintain a brotherly bond, celebrating their shared history and cultural ties.

Takeaways

• 🗺️ Czechoslovakia no longer exists, having peacefully split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
• 🇨🇿🇸🇰 The country was first formed in 1918 after the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
• 💣 Czechoslovakia split during the rise of fascism in Europe before World War II, but reunited in 1945.
• 🔴 From 1948, Czechoslovakia was under Communist rule, with a federal government controlling both republics until 1989.
• 🕊️ The Velvet Revolution in 1989 marked the end of Communist rule, leading to democratic principles being implemented.
• 🗳️ In 1992, political leaders Václav Klaus and Vladimír Mečiar led the split of Czechoslovakia, despite most citizens opposing it.
• 📊 Opinion polls showed that only a small percentage of Czechs (6%) and Slovaks (11%) supported the split.
• ⚖️ Politicians avoided a referendum and swiftly passed a constitutional law to divide the country.
• 📅 On January 1, 1993, Czechoslovakia ceased to exist, and the split became known as the Velvet Divorce due to its peaceful nature.
• 🤝 Today, the Czech Republic and Slovakia maintain strong 'sibling' relations, with no ongoing conflicts, shared culture, and mutual respect.

Q & A

When was Czechoslovakia created and why?

Czechoslovakia was created in 1918 after the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

How did Czechoslovakia split before World War II?

Czechoslovakia split right before the outbreak of World War II due to the rise of fascism in Europe.

What was the political situation in Czechoslovakia after 1948?

After 1948, Czechoslovakia was under the rule of the Communist Party until 1989.

What significant change occurred in Czechoslovakia in 1969?

In 1969, a federation was created in Czechoslovakia, which was one state comprising of two republics.

What was the Velvet Revolution and when did it occur?

The Velvet Revolution occurred in 1989, marking the end of the socialist dictatorship in Czechoslovakia.

Who were the winners of the 1992 free elections in Czechoslovakia?

Václav Klaus in the Czech Republic and Vladimír Mečiar in Slovakia were the winners of the 1992 free elections.

What was the public opinion regarding the split of Czechoslovakia according to the 1992 poll?

According to a poll by the Centre for Social Analysis in January 1992, only 6% of Czechs and 11% of Slovaks were in favor of splitting the countries.

How did the politicians avoid a referendum for the split of Czechoslovakia?

Politicians avoided a referendum by hastily adopting a constitutional law on the division of the country.

When and where did the Prime Ministers of the Czech Republic and Slovakia agree to split the federation?

In June 1992, at the Vila Tugendhat in the Czech Republic, the Prime Ministers Václav Klaus and Vladimír Mečiar agreed to split the federation.

What is the term used to describe the peaceful split of Czechoslovakia and why?

The term 'Velvet Divorce' is used to describe the peaceful split of Czechoslovakia because the event was not accompanied by any riots or war.

How did the relationship between the Czech Republic and Slovakia evolve after the Velvet Divorce?

The relationship between the Czech Republic and Slovakia evolved into a sibling-like relationship, with no conflicts and continued mutual understanding and cooperation.

Outlines

00:00

🗺️ Czechoslovakia's Peaceful Split into Czech Republic and Slovakia

The paragraph outlines the history of Czechoslovakia, from its creation in 1918 following the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, through its periods of unity and division, and the eventual peaceful split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993. It highlights the Velvet Revolution of 1989, which ended the socialist dictatorship, and the subsequent political developments that led to the 'Velvet Divorce'. Despite the political changes, the Czech and Slovak people maintain a brotherly relationship, celebrating each other's achievements and communicating in a shared language, marking a unique and peaceful separation in history.

Keywords

💡Czechoslovakia

Czechoslovakia was a country in Central Europe that existed from 1918 until its peaceful dissolution on January 1, 1993, into two separate states: the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The term is central to the video's theme as it sets the historical context for the 'Velvet Divorce.' The script mentions its creation post-World War I and its eventual split without conflict, highlighting its significance in European history.

💡Velvet Divorce

The 'Velvet Divorce' refers to the peaceful separation of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia on January 1, 1993. This term is a focal point of the video, illustrating a unique event in history where a country split without violence. The script describes it as a ' Velvet Divorce' to emphasize the absence of riots or war, contrasting it with the violent Yugoslav Wars.

💡Austro-Hungarian Empire

The Austro-Hungarian Empire was a dual monarchy in Central Europe that existed from 1867 to 1918. It is relevant to the video's narrative as Czechoslovakia was formed after its dissolution in 1918. The script uses this term to provide historical context for the establishment of Czechoslovakia.

💡World War II

World War II was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. In the context of the video, it is mentioned as a period during which Czechoslovakia was temporarily split before reuniting in 1945. The war is a significant historical event that influenced the political landscape of Europe, including Czechoslovakia.

💡Communist Party

The Communist Party ruled Czechoslovakia from 1948 until the Velvet Revolution in 1989. The term is integral to understanding the political history of the country as depicted in the video. The script describes the Communist Party's totalitarian rule and the eventual transition to democracy post-1989.

💡Velvet Revolution

The Velvet Revolution was a non-violent transition in 1989 in Czechoslovakia, marking the end of communist rule and the beginning of democracy. This term is crucial to the video's narrative as it led to the democratic reforms that eventually allowed for the peaceful split of the country.

💡Federation

A federation is a political entity characterized by a union of partially self-governing provinces, states, or other regions under a central government. In the script, the 1969 creation of a federation within Czechoslovakia is mentioned, which comprised two republics with their own councils and governments but under a federal government.

💡Referendum

A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal. The video's script discusses how the politicians of Czechoslovakia avoided a referendum for the country's split, which would have required the population's approval based on the constitution at the time.

💡Vladimír Mečiar

Vladimír Mečiar is a Slovak politician who served as the Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia and later Slovakia. He is a key figure in the video's narrative as he is depicted as desiring an independent Slovakia, which eventually became a reality through the Velvet Divorce.

💡Václav Klaus

Václav Klaus is a Czech politician who served as the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic after the split of Czechoslovakia. His role in the peaceful dissolution of the country is highlighted in the video, showing his agreement to the split during a meeting with Vladimír Mečiar.

💡Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia was a country in the Balkans that existed from 1918 until it was dissolved in the early 1990s amidst a series of ethnic conflicts and wars. The term is used in the video to draw a stark contrast with the peaceful Velvet Divorce of Czechoslovakia, emphasizing the violent nature of Yugoslavia's breakup.

Highlights

Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia without war or riots.

Czechoslovakia was created in 1918 after the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The country was split temporarily before World War II but reunited in 1945.

Czechoslovakia was under Communist rule from 1948 until the Velvet Revolution in 1989.

A federation was established in 1969, comprising two republics with a federal government.

The Velvet Revolution in 1989 marked the end of socialist dictatorship and the beginning of democracy.

The 1992 elections resulted in two winners, each favoring different paths for their respective republics.

Opinion polls showed that the majority of citizens were against the country's split.

The constitution required a referendum for the country to split, which was avoided by politicians.

The division of the common state was achieved through a hasty constitutional law, bypassing a referendum.

Democracy in Czechoslovakia was very young, being only three years old at the time of the split.

The politicians decided on the split quickly, within a month after the 1992 elections.

The Prime Ministers of the Czech Republic and Slovakia met and agreed on the federation's split in June 1992.

The Slovak National Council adopted the Declaration of Independence in July 1992.

The Czech and Slovak Federative Republic was officially dissolved on December 31, 1992.

Czechoslovakia ceased to exist on January 1, 1993, and was replaced by two independent states.

The peaceful split was dubbed the Velvet Divorce by international media.

The Velvet Divorce was unique in history for its lack of violence and the preservation of good relations.

In contrast to the peaceful split, the breakup of Yugoslavia was accompanied by war and genocide.

Czechs and Slovaks continue to view each other as brothers and maintain a sibling relationship.

The Czech Republic and Slovakia remain independent with no discussions about unification.

Transcripts

For some people it may seem like astonishing news, but Czechoslovakia has been a thing of the past for quite some time now.

It split into Czech Republic and Slovakia.

There was no war, no riots and no needless death of people. It was a simple political decision.

But let's move to the very beginning of the history of Czechoslovakia.

Czechoslovakia was firstly created in 1918 after the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

In those times it was a democratic country. After the rise of fascism in Europe and right before the outbreak of the World War II the country split.

However, both countries united again in 1945.

Since 1948 Czechoslovakia was under the rule of the Communist party.

In 1969 a federation was created, which was one state comprising of two republics.

Although both countries had their own national councils and governments, supreme power was in the hands

of a federal government which was ruled by the totalitarian Communist Party until 1989.

After 1989, which marked the end of the socialist dictatorship thanks to the peaceful Velvet Revolution, the federation tried to uphold principles of democracy.

Free elections of 1992 had two winners: Václav Klaus in Czech Republic and Vladimír Mečiar in Slovakia.

Mainly the latter one wanted to rule by himself, in an independent state. However, all the opinion polls showed that citizens were against the country’s break-up.

For example, according to the poll of the Centre for Social Analysis carried out in January 1992 only 6% of Czechs and 11% of Slovaks

were in favor of splitting the countries. According to the constitution of Czechoslovakia valid at that time,

the country could split only based on the results of a referendum. Although politicians strived to stir up nationalist views in the population,

the division of the common state would probably not pass in the referendum. At last, politicians avoided the referendum by a rash adoption

of the constitutional law on the division of the country. By this, everything was set. 

Maybe all this happened because democracy in Czechoslovakia was very young at that time - it was only three years old.

In short, the politicians did what they wanted, regardless of the opinions of their citizens. And it all happened very quickly.

Only a month after the elections, in June 1992, the Prime Ministers of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Václav Klaus and Vladimír Mečiar,

met in the Vila Tugendhat in the Czech Republic. This legendary photo of the two of them sitting in the garden was taken there.

In those moments they agreed on splitting the federation. In July, the Slovak National Council adopted the Declaration of Independence

and on September 1, 1992, even their own constitution.  Finally, on the last day of the year, on December 31, 1992,

the Federal Assembly agreed on the dissolution of the Czech and Slovak Federative Republic and creation of two independent states – the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Thus, on January 1, 1993, Czechoslovakia ceased to exist, and a new state appeared on the map of Europe.

International media called this splitting of two countries Velvet Divorce. This is because the event was not accompanied by any riots nor war,

people simply celebrated the New Year’s Eve. This peaceful splitting of Czechs and Slovaks is unique in history.

Just a few kilometers away a parallel process of breakup of Yugoslavia ran. And although its citizens had a close relationship

and understood each other’s languages as well, sadly, this splitting was accompanied by wars and even a genocide.

Today, the Czechs and Slovaks call themselves brothers. Many years have passed since the Velvet Divorce

and there are still no conflicts between them. They still understand each other’s languages,

create common TV shows and celebrate each other’s achievements in sports. 

For now, the Czech Republic and Slovakia are two independent countries and there is no discussion about their unification.

However, the sibling relationship of Czechs and Slovaks persists. And although they live their separate lives, they remain forever connected.