Slovak Republic (1939–1945)
On the 14th of March 1939, the Slovak parliament convened in Bratislava to hear a report from Monsignor Jozef Tiso about his meeting with Adolf Hitler. The German leader had invited Tiso to Berlin on the previous day and urged him to proclaim Slovakia's independence. Hitler warned that without consent, events would leave Slovakia to the mercies of Hungary and Poland. Franz Karmasin, leader of the German minority, argued that any delay would result in division between Hungary and Germany. Parliament voted unanimously to secede from Czecho-Slovakia, creating the first independent Slovak state in history. Tiso sent a telegram the next day asking the Reich to protect the new state. Germany and Italy recognized the emergent state within weeks. Britain and France refused recognition, sending diplomatic notes protesting developments as a breach of the Munich Agreement. Some non-Axis states like Switzerland, Poland, and the Vatican recognized Slovakia in March and April 1939. The United States never recognized Slovak independence throughout the war.
Slovakia participated in the invasion of Poland in September 1939 alongside Germany despite having a military only six months old. Two combat groups fought through Nowy Sącz and Dukla Mountain Passes advancing towards Dębica and Tarnów. Slovakia was the only Axis nation other than Germany to take part in this campaign. Slovak forces received rewards allowing annexation of 300 square miles of Polish territory. In 1941, the Slovak Expeditionary Army Group entered the Soviet Union shortly after Operation Barbarossa began. About 45,000 soldiers formed this force lacking logistic and transportation support. A smaller unit called the Slovak Mobile Command Pilfousek Brigade operated attached to German 17th Army fighting at Battle of Uman. By August 1941, two infantry divisions replaced the mobile command structure. The Slovak 1st Division reached Caucasus area with Army Group B before losing heavy equipment near Melitopol in southern Ukraine. In June 1944, remnants disarmed due to low morale assigned personnel to construction work instead. Slovakia declared war on United Kingdom and United States in 1942 joining Tripartite Pact signed November 24 that year.
Deportations of Jews from Slovakia started on the 25th of March 1942 but halted on the 20th of October 1942 after a coalition led by Gisi Fleischmann and Rabbi Michael Ber Weissmandl stopped the process through bribery and negotiation. Some 58,000 Jews had already been deported primarily to Auschwitz before the halt. The Slovak Republic paid Germany 500 Reichsmark for each deportee as part of Final Solution agreement. Jewish Code passed September 1941 required wearing yellow armband banning intermarriage and many jobs. Three labor camps located within Slovakian borders held concentrated Jews: Sereď Nováky and Vyhne. Deportations resumed the 30th of September 1944 when Republic lost independence following German occupation concern about Soviet army reaching border. During German occupation another 13,500 Jews were deported while 5,000 imprisoned until the 31st of March 1945. About 70,000 Jews total deported from Slovakia with approximately 65,000 murdered or died in concentration camps. One 2006 estimate suggests around 105,000 Slovak Jews or 77% of pre-war population died during war.
The resistance movement launched on the 29th of August 1944 from Banská Bystrica to resist German troops occupying Slovak territory. Members of Democratic Party social democrats and communists represented this opposition against Jozef Tiso's collaborationist government. Many Slovak units sided with rebels while others helped German forces suppress the uprising. Einsatzgruppe H and Hlinka Guard Emergency Divisions executed Slovaks suspected aiding rebels as well as Jews avoiding deportation. Ninety-three villages destroyed on suspicion of collaboration including Ostrý Grúň Kľak Kalište Kremnička and Nemecká. Five thousand three hundred four deaths estimated resulting from those atrocities discovered in 211 mass graves. Largest executions occurred in Kremnička killing 747 mostly Jews and Roma and Nemecká killing 900. Guerrilla operations continued efforts in mountains despite German defeat of main resistance force. Partisan warfare persisted throughout remaining war years after initial suppression.
Bratislava captured by Soviet Red Army 2nd Ukrainian Front on the 4th of April 1945 during Bratislava, Brno offensive ending state de facto existence. Exiled Slovak government capitulated to General Walton Walker leading XX Corps of 3rd US Army the 8th of May 1945 in Kremsmünster Austria ending state de jure existence. Captured former president and government members handed over to Czechoslovak authorities summer 1945. Vojtech Tuka executed by hanging the 20th of August 1946 following brief trial after emigrating to Austria. Jozef Tiso sentenced death deprivation civil rights confiscation property hanged the 18th of April 1947 wearing clerical outfit. Body buried secretly St Martin cemetery Bratislava later exhumed April 2008 confirmed DNA test then reburied St Emmeram's Cathedral Nitra per canon law. Modern Slovak Republic considers itself successor to Czechoslovak Federal Republic not wartime Slovak State though nationalists celebrate March 14 as independence day anniversary. People's Party Our Slovakia established memorial grave October 2008 used occasionally gathering place far-right groups.
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Common questions
When did the Slovak Republic declare independence from Czecho-Slovakia?
The Slovak parliament voted unanimously to secede from Czecho-Slovakia on the 14th of March 1939. This decision followed a meeting between Jozef Tiso and Adolf Hitler in Berlin where Germany urged Slovakia to proclaim its own state.
Who led the authoritarian regime of the Slovak Republic during World War II?
Jozef Tiso served as President of the Slovak Republic starting on the 26th of October 1939 after previously acting as Prime Minister since March. He held the title Vodca or Leader while his Hlinka's Slovak People's Party controlled all political activity within the one-party state.
How many Jews were deported from Slovakia before deportations halted in 1942?
Some 58,000 Jews had already been deported primarily to Auschwitz before the process stopped on the 20th of October 1942. The Slovak Republic paid Germany 500 Reichsmark for each deportee under the Final Solution agreement.
What resistance movement occurred in Banská Bystrica in August 1944?
Members of Democratic Party social democrats and communists launched a resistance movement from Banská Bystrica on the 29th of August 1944 against German troops occupying Slovak territory. This uprising resulted in an estimated 5,304 deaths discovered in 211 mass graves following atrocities by Einsatzgruppe H and Hlinka Guard Emergency Divisions.
When did the Soviet Red Army capture Bratislava ending the existence of the Slovak Republic?
The Slovak Republic de facto existence ended when the Soviet Red Army captured Bratislava on the 4th of April 1945 during the Bratislava Brno offensive. The exiled government formally capitulated to General Walton Walker leading XX Corps of 3rd US Army on the 8th of May 1945 in Kremsmünster Austria.