Czech lands

• 1. Defining The Czech Lands

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  The term Czech lands denotes three historical regions: Bohemia, Moravia, and Czech Silesia. These areas formed the core of Czechoslovakia starting in 1919. Since the 1st of January 1993 they have comprised the modern Czech Republic. Historical texts often use the phrase to describe any territory ruled by Kings of Bohemia. This definition includes lands like the Lusatias which fell to Saxony in 1635. It also covers the whole of Silesia when it was ruled from Prague Castle. Alternative names exist for these territories depending on the speaker. The Czech name for Bohemia proper is Čechy. The adjective český refers to both Bohemian and Czech identities. Official geographical terminology lists use the non-auxiliary term Česko. This specific word appeared as early as 1704 but then meant only Bohemia. During the First and Second Czechoslovak Republics people frequently called them Historical lands. They used this label especially when mentioning Slovakia together with the western regions.

• 2. Early Settlement And Migration

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  Celts known as Boii settled the region from the fifth century BC until the second century AD. Various Germanic tribes including Marcomanni Quadi and Lombards followed them. These groups moved westward during the Migration Period between the first and fifth centuries. Population numbers decreased dramatically at the beginning of the fifth century. Mythology credits a chieftain named Čech with leading the remaining population. Western Slavs arrived in the second half of the sixth century. The Great Moravian realm declined due to Hungarian invasions in the ninth and tenth centuries. The Czech Přemyslid dynasty established the Duchy of Bohemia during this decline. East Frankish kings backed the Přemyslids against reluctant Bohemian nobility. They extended their rule eastwards over adjacent Moravia. Duke Ottokar I received royal title from German anti-king Philip of Swabia in 1198. His Kingdom included the Margraviate of Moravia established in 1182. It also contained Kłodzko Land which later became the County of Kladsko.

• 3. Rise Of The Bohemian Crown

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  German colonists called German Bohemians had lived in Prague since the early twelfth century. They settled mountainous border areas based on the king's invitation during Ostsiedlung starting in the thirteenth century. Silesian lands north of Sudetes mountains were ruled by Polish Piast dynasty from the tenth century onwards. Bohemia rose to kingdom status while Silesian Piasts alienated from fragmenting Poland. King John the Blind acquired lands of Bautzen and Görlitz in 1319 and 1329. Nearly all Silesian dukes pledged allegiance to him after 1310. Polish king Casimir III the Great officially renounced Silesia via Treaty of Trentschin in 1335. Charles IV incorporated Silesian and Lusatian estates into the Bohemian Crown upon his coronation as Holy Roman Emperor. He confirmed their indivisibility from and affiliation with the Holy Roman Empire. Emperor Charles IV purchased former March of Lusatia Lower Lusatia in northwest in 1367. Both Lusatias passed to Electorate of Saxony by Peace of Prague during Thirty Years War.

• 4. Territorial Expansion And Integration

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  The Bohemian crown lands together with Kingdom of Hungary became part of larger Habsburg monarchy in 1526. The House of Habsburg took over the Bohemian crown that year. Austrian hereditary lands joined this union under Habsburg rule. Queen Maria Theresa lost bulk of Silesia to Prussia in First Silesian War in 1742. This conflict was part of War of Austrian Succession. Remaining lands of Bohemian Crown included Bohemia Moravia and Austrian Silesia. These territories have been more or less co-extensive with modern Czech Republic since then. Coat of arms of Czech Republic incorporates those of three integral Czech lands. Arms of Bohemia originated with Kingdom of Bohemia. Those of Moravia came from Moravian margraviate. Arms of Czech Silesia originated as those of all historical region of Silesia. Much of original Silesia now lies within Poland today.

• 5. Habsburg Rule And Territorial Losses

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  Charles IV also King of Romans since 1346 unified Silesia and Lusatia into Bohemian Crown. His son incorporated these estates confirming their status within Holy Roman Empire. The Thirty Years War caused both Lusatias to pass to Electorate of Saxony by Peace of Prague. This treaty marked a significant shift in regional control during mid-seventeenth century. The House of Luxembourg held power before the transition to Habsburgs in 1526. Charles IV purchased former March of Lusatia Lower Lusatia in northwest in 1367. This acquisition expanded the crown's reach further northward. German colonists settled mountainous border areas based on king's invitation during Ostsiedlung starting in thirteenth century. Population numbers decreased dramatically at beginning of fifth century when Celts left. Western Slavs arrived in second half of sixth century after earlier migrations ended.

• 6. Modern State Formation

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  Czechoslovakia formed from three historical regions including Bohemia Moravia and Czech Silesia. These areas became part of Czechoslovakia since 1919. The modern Czech Republic emerged on the 1st of January 1993 following dissolution of Czechoslovakia. Historical texts use term to describe territory ruled by Kings of Bohemia. This definition includes lands like Lusatias which fell to Saxony in 1635. It also covers whole of Silesia when ruled from Prague Castle. Alternative names exist for these territories depending on speaker. Official geographical terminology lists use non-auxiliary term Česko documented as early as 1704. During First and Second Czechoslovak Republics people frequently called them Historical lands. They used this label especially when mentioning Slovakia together with western regions. Slovakia was never an autonomous historical region within Kingdom of Hungary.