PT Journal
AU Smid, M
TI The National Association of Czech Catholics in the United States of America and its Support of Independent Czechoslovakia
SO Historica Olomucensia
PY 2017
BP 351
EP 366
VL 53
IS 2
DI 10.5507/ho.2017.038
DE The United States of America; First World War; National Association of Czech Catholics; Vatican; Benedict XV; Oldrich Zlamal; Hynek Dostal; Tomas Garrigue Masaryk; 1914-1918
AB The paper deals with the National Association of Czech Catholics in the United States of America and its support of independent Czechoslovakia in the period of the First World War 1914-1918. At the same time, it follows the development and transformation of relations of American Catholics of Czech origins to the Habsburg Monarchy. With respect to the fact that American coreligionists in contrast to domestic Catholics did not risk an open conflict with the repressive power of the Austrian state, individuals very soon promoted national independence against Habsburg legitimism and supported Masaryk's foreign-political action. In February 1917 the National Association of Czech Catholics was founded and quite early it agreed on a mutual progress with the Czech National Association in the USA led by Vojta Benes. After the unification of Catholic and non-Catholics compatriots, representatives of the National Association referred to the Holy See to support newly emerging Czechoslovakia. Courtesies exchanged with ecclesiastical dignitaries as well as unsuccessful Benes's and Stefanik's diplomatic activities at the Holy See did not turned the attitude of the Holy See, because it supported the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the end of the world conflict in November 1918. Despite this, it may be claimed that Czech and Slovak compatriots in the USA significantly contributed to independence of Czechoslovakia.
ER