During World War II, the city of Prague, located in the heart of Czechoslovakia, fell under the control of Nazi Germany. The occupation of Prague began on March 15, 1939, when German forces swiftly and forcefully took over the city and the rest of Czechoslovakia.
The Munich Agreement
Before delving into the events surrounding the capture of Prague, it is essential to understand the context that led to this occupation. In 1938, at the infamous Munich Conference, Germany’s Adolf Hitler pressured France and Britain into allowing him to annex parts of Czechoslovakia known as Sudetenland.
This concession was made in hopes of appeasing Hitler and avoiding a war. However, this agreement only emboldened him further.
The Invasion
In March 1939, Hitler violated the Munich Agreement by ordering German troops to occupy what remained of Czechoslovakia. This move effectively dissolved Czechoslovakia as an independent country and established it as a German protectorate.
On March 15th, German forces entered Prague without facing any significant resistance from Czechoslovakian authorities. President Emil Hácha reluctantly resigned under immense pressure from his German counterparts and handed over control to Germany.
The Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia
Prague became the capital city of a new entity called the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. While nominally having its own government headed by Prime Minister Alois Eliáš, real power rested firmly with German officials led by Reichsprotektor Konstantin von Neurath.
The Nazi occupation brought with it harsh measures aimed at suppressing any opposition or resistance. Civil liberties were curtailed, political parties were banned or co-opted by the Germans, and many Czech citizens were arrested, imprisoned, or deported to concentration camps.
The Prague Uprising
In 1945, as World War II was reaching its climax, the people of Prague rose up against the Nazi occupation. The Prague Uprising began on May 5th and was led by Czech resistance groups, with support from the Soviet Red Army.
After fierce fighting and street-by-street battles that lasted for several days, the German forces surrendered on May 9th. The liberation of Prague marked an important turning point in the war and a significant victory for the Czech people.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Prague fell under Nazi control during World War II after Germany violated the Munich Agreement in 1939. The occupation lasted until 1945 when the city was liberated by Czech resistance fighters supported by Soviet forces.
This period in Prague’s history serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of appeasement policies and highlights the resilience and bravery of those who fought against oppression.