LETTERS: Central to any Czech history
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Jonathan Eyal's lament over "Eastern" Europe ("So near and yet so trapped", 3 February) fails to do justice to the historical diversity of the region. Although sharing a largely common fate since 1945, during the inter-war period not all thecountries concerned followed an identical pattern of political and economic development. Inter-war Czechoslovakia certainly did not conform to the stereotype outlined. Despite mounting internal ethnic tensions, exacerbated by Hitler's Germany, up to the point of its destruction at Munich in 1938, Czechoslovakia maintained a political and economic system largely indistinguishable from that of Western Europe.
The economic foundations for this had been established in pre-1914 Habsburg-ruled Bohemia and Moravia, where Czechs and Germans alike had created a thriving industrial economy.
Czechoslovakia, and now the Czech Republic, may be recognised as the exception that proves the rule, but it would be helpful nevertheless if we set aside Cold War terminology and replaced our image of monolithic "Eastern" Europe by rediscovering "Central" Europe.
Yours sincerely, Paul Vysny Department of Modern History School of History and International Affairs University of St Andrews St Andrews, Fife 4 February
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments