M.R. Štefánik ― Organizer of the Czecho-Slovak Army

Abstract

The article deals with the study of the contribution to the creation of the Czecho-Slovak army that was made by the famous Slovak astronomer and politician Milan Rastislav Štefánik. It is also devoted to his participation in the activity of the Czecho-Slovak National Council to resolve the issue of transferring Czech and Slovak prisoners of war from Russia to France, and the subsequent search for manpower for the organization of Czecho-Slovak troops in all states of the Entente with significant Czech and Slovak presence. Mention should be made of the fact that this subject has become of current importance in connection with the 100th anniversaries of the beginning of the World War I (2014) and the formation of the independent Czechoslovak Republic (2018). Contemporary Czech and Slovak historiography contains a considerable layer of publications that among other themes dwell on the participation of M.R. Štefánik in the activities of Czecho-Slovak National Council on the organization of Czecho-Slovak armed formations in the territory of the French Republic and the Kingdom of Italy. At the same time, in Russian scientific literature the last problem is generally glanced over. The study showed that M.R. Štefánik, undoubtedly, played a significant role both in the Czecho-Slovak action abroad and in the organization of Czecho-Slovak military units. He proved himself to be a talented diplomat, achieving the signing of an agreement on the creation of Czecho-Slovak units in Italy and the acknowledgement of the unity of the Czecho-Slovak army in France and Italy in political sense. Due to Štefánik’s missions the reinforcement of the Czecho-Slovak army by the Czech and Slovak prisoners of war from the Kingdom of Italy became possible. The creation of this army was a significant factor in ensuring the independence of Czecho-Slovakia once it was proclaimed.

Received 7 May 2024

Revised 29 May 2024

Accepted 6 June 2024

For citation: Moshechkov, P.V., 2024. M.R. Štefánik – organizer of the Czecho-Slovak army. Slavic World in the Third Millennium, 19 (1–2), pp. 54–72. https://doi.org/10.31168/2412-6446.2024.19.1-2.04