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Czech History Kings ruled an independent kingdom within the Holy Roman Empire Then 400 years of rule by the Austrian Monarchs 1918 – The winners of WWI approved plans to create a new nation – Czechoslovakia (Czech lands and Slovakia It became one of the most stable democratic governments in the region Hitler invaded in 1930’s Soviet’s expelled the Germans in 1945 and the directed a communist takeover. Communist from 1948 – 1989.
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Czech & Slovak Republics and Hungary
Czechoslovakia
Czech History• Kings ruled an independent kingdom within the Holy
Roman Empire• Then 400 years of rule by the Austrian Monarchs• 1918 – The winners of WWI approved plans to create a
new nation – Czechoslovakia (Czech lands and Slovakia• It became one of the most stable democratic
governments in the region• Hitler invaded in 1930’s• Soviet’s expelled the Germans in 1945 and the directed
a communist takeover.• Communist from 1948 – 1989.
Velvet Revolution- 1989
• Revolution without bloodshed• Resulted in election of a democratic
parliament and a transition to a free society and a market –based economy
Velvet Divorce
• Despite government attempts at fairness, Slovaks felt that the Czech –dominated government did not serve their interests
• Czech and Slovak leaders worked together to create two separate counties in 1993.
Czech Republic
• 10 million people• Size of South
Carolina• Plateaus and
Mountains• Independent nation
in 1993
Czech Economy
• Privatization• Seeking EU membership• Strong Industrial base• Skilled workforce
Czech Regions
• Bohemia– Western half– Mines (coal,iron ore,
copper, lead)– Industry– Quartz – glass making– Prague
• Moravia– Old coal and steel
industries
Challenges
• Old, inefficient industry• Pollution
– 56% forests destroyed by acid rain and pollution
Slovakia
• Slovak Republic• 5 million people• Mountains in
north, plains in south
• Danube river• Farming &
Manufacturing
Farming…
• Fruits, vegetables and grains grow near the Danube
• Oats and potatoes farther north (higher elevation)
• 1948 – communists – “Collective Farms”
Factories
• Manufacturing was not important until Communists assumed power
• Built many new factories – wages encouraged many people to move to cities like Bratislava.
• Some industries made transition – like tanks to earth moving machinery. Others did not.
Hungary
• 90% descended from Magyars who settled the area in the 800’s
• About the size of Indiana
• Long History
History
• “Birth” of nation in 1000 when the Pope crowned King Stephen
• Have had to get rid of several foreign rulers throughout their history
• Tried to oust the communists in 1956, but failed
• 1990 – First free elections in 40 years.
Hungary’s Regions
• Danube divides into two regions• East
– Broad plain – “Great Alfold” – “Breadbasket” of Europe
• West– Hills – “Transdanubia”– Deposits of Bauxite, coal, iron ore
Economy
• Like Poland, transition from communism to free market was difficult, with many speed bumps
• Modern economy, with privatization programs, is strong
The End