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.