The Semester in Review

After looking back on my first blog post from this semester I am surprised with how much I have learned over the past 15 weeks. At the beginning of the semester I knew almost nothing about Central Europe. I had heard of the Habsburg dynasty, although only in the context of the Spanish monarchy. I knew that the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand had caused the outbreak of the first World War, but I had no idea why one might want to murder him, and what an "archduke" actually was.

In my first blog posts I talked about three different points. I will now discuss how my view of these points has changed as a result of this course.

1. The difference in the roles of the Catholic Church in the region as a whole is much different than in Western Europe. 

The role of religion in Central Europe is much more complicated than I ever could have imagined. The struggle between Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox Christians, Jews, and Muslims has lasted centuries and continues to be an issue. From early persecutions, to White Mountain, to World War 2, religious minorities have faced incredible challenges throughout Central Europe. 

2. I learned the true origins of the Habsburg dynasty, a family that in its time controlled most of the European continent, including my specialization Spain. 

I have learned that the Habsburg dynasty grew over time--through marriage--to become one of the most prestigious, strongest, and longest-lasting dynasties in European history. Habsburg influence in world history can not be overstated, and at one point Habsburg rule extended from the Americas, throughout Europe, and to the East Indies. Until its demise in the early 20th century, the Habsburg dynasty was a major force do be reckoned with. 

3. I learned the extremely complicated ethnic situation in the formation of the Czech territory, including the four major ethnic groups at the formation of the city of Prague, including the Roman, Celtic, German, and Slavic cultures. 

The mix of ethnicity and cultures all throughout Central Europe did not disappear with the creation of new countries and empires. The incredibly complicated mixture of religions and cultures has led to war, persecutions, the rise of nationalism, the fall of empires, and the creation of new countries. This multiculturalism was one of the strongest detriments to the Habsburg dynasty as centuries of Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, Ukrainian, and Slavic nationalism took their toll. 

Comparing Masaryk to the Red Prince

Hungarian Masaryk and Wilhelm von Habsburg were born into two completely different situations. Masaryk was born a poor Moravian peasant, Wilhelm was born with a big destiny as a member of the Habsburg family. Although they both had interests in politics, their paths toward this goal were distinct--and so where their results.

Masaryk was born to a very poor family in Moravia. His family never stayed in one place for too long, and was constantly moving villages. Although he was poor, he was bright and attended school when he had the opportunity. His parents planned for him to become a locksmith, but after completing his apprenticeship teachers encouraged him to continue his studies. He was accepted into a prestigious school where he studied history, philosophy, and religion. He eventually earned his PhD. He became interested in politics, and advocated reform of the Habsburg monarchy, and later its dissolved. Despite growing up poor, Masaryk's hard work and ambition led him to become a political leader, and eventually the first president of Czechoslovakia.

Wilhelm grew up on the ocean in Pula. His father, Stefan, carefully orchestrated and controlled everything related to "Willy" and his five brother and sisters' lives. They were forced to speak five different languages, depending on the time of the day, and they had a meticulous schedule that had to be kept. Even at birth, his father carefully chose certain names for his children so that they may be able to fill a special Habsburg destiny. Wilhelm's destiny was to one day become the king of a new reunited Poland. He was named after the German emperor, as well as a historical figure who had a claim to the Polish throne.

Willy spent most of his youth travelling with his family, on yachts throughout the Mediterranean, exploring both the west as well as the near east. He became afflicted with a serious case of wanderlust, which was only worsened when his father moved the family to Galicia so that Willy could realize his Polish destiny. Like most teenagers, Willy rejected this destiny, probably because it was imposed upon him by his father. Instead of growing up with a sense of Polish patriotism, Willy instead became enchanted by Ukrainian language and culture.

In conclusion, the two men, although both living at the same time and both interested in politics, had very different backgrounds. Where Willy's childhood was strict, rigid, and planned from birth, Masaryk's path to success was indirect but successful.While Willy spent most of his youth trying to avoid his political destiny, Masaryk spent years and hard work to create one.