UDC

94(47).083+94(437):323.1

Authors

Boris V. Kolesnikov
Volgograd State University; prosp. Universitetskiy 100, Volgograd, 400062, Russian Federation;
e-mail: boryanVolg34@mail.ru

Abstract

This article deals with the history of the Czechoslovak national movement in Russia in 1916–1917. The research aimed to consider the problem of the formation of Czechoslovak units in Russia in 1916–1917 and reveal the role of the Czechoslovak leaders Milan Rastislav Štefanik and Josef Dürich in resolving it. The author suggests a new personified approach to the above problem, choosing M.R. Štefánik’s and J. Dürich’s activity as a subject of his research, while traditionally the Czechoslovak movement is studied in connection with T.G. Masaryk, E. Beneš and K. Kramář. The research is based on both known and newly introduced documents. The paper focuses on the struggle between M.R. Štefánik and J. Dürich for leadership in the national movement. The main reasons for disagreements between the leaders of the Czechoslovak national movement in Russia are revealed. Particular attention is drawn to J. Dürich’s and M.R. Štefánik’s military and diplomatic missions to Russia, their objectives, course and results. The author concludes that a significant contribution to resolving the conflicts in the Czechoslovak movement in Russia was made by M.R. Štefánik. He proved J. Dürich’s incompetence in performing the military and diplomatic tasks he had been set and exposed his deviation from the line of the Czechoslovak National Council (ČSNR). M.R. Štefánik contributed to the unification of Czechs and Slovaks under the ČSNR Department in Russia, which put an end to the political division and facilitated the formation of the Czechoslovak Legion in Russia.

Keywords

Czechoslovak national movement, Czechoslovak National Council, M.R. Štefánik, T.G. Masaryk, J. Dürich, Czechoslovak Legion, prisoners of war

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