Czechoslovakia was, we might say, an island of democracy surrounded by totalitarian regimes during the 1930's. For Slovaks, it was undoubtedly a step forward regarding their self-determination and economy. Bad news for Czechoslovakia was its location. Stuck between Germany and Soviet Union, it was bound to suffer from both sides. This chapter will cover the story of Czechoslovakia during the Second World War.

Did you know?

• More than 3 million Germans lived in Czechoslovakia before WWII. This was Hitler's argument for ceasing Sudetenland after the Munich agreement in 1938.
• The first independent state of Slovaks was a result of Hitler's game to dissolve Czechoslovakia.
• The Slovak president during WWII was Jozef Tiso, a catholic priest who collaborated with the Nazis.
• During WWII, there was a plan to replace Bratislava Castle by a University Campus designed in fascist architecture.
• The Soviet WWII Monument Slavín is topped by a statue of a Soviet soldier crushing the Nazi swastika under his feet.