Prague Slavic Congress, 1848
Encyclopedia
The Prague Slavic Congress of 1848 (also known as the Pan-Slav Congress of 1848) took place in Prague
between June 2 and June 12, 1848. It was one of several times that voices from all Slav populations of Central Europe were heard in one place. The meeting was meant to be a show of resistance to German nationalism in the city of Prague
in the predominantly Slavic Kingdom of Bohemia
, which in spite of that was for many centuries a part of the Holy Roman Empire
.
Several other Slavic Congresses were held in different eastern European cities over the next 100 years.
developed over time leading up to the Congress in 1848. The development of some sort of national identity helped to unite the Slavic lands against the increasing German nationalism. The identification of these lands as Slavic does not mean that they are all the same. Within the overarching Slavic category, there are many other groups such as Poles
, Czechs and Slovenes.
Once underway, the conference met in three sections: Poles
and Ukrainians
; South Slavs
; and Czecho-Slovaks. The Pole-Ukrainian section contained a combination of Ruthenes, Mazurians, Wielkopolaks
, and Lithuanians
(Orton 62). Of the total 340 delegates at the Congress, the greatest number came from the Czecho-Slovak section. 237 Czecho-Slovaks participated along with 42 South Slavs and 61 Pole-Ukrainian (Orton 63). German was the primary language used during discussions.
During the Congress, there was debate about the role of Austria
in the lives of the Slavs. Dr. Josef Fric argued that the “primary goal is the preservation of Austria”, adding that the Congress “only differs on the means.” (Orton 69) This point was disputed by Ľudovít Štúr
who told the Congress, “our goal is self-preservation”. (Orton 69) Such a disconnect was typical of the environment of this conference.
One important statement did come out of the conference around June 10, when the Manifesto to the Nations of Europe was pronounced. The statement was a strongly worded proclamation that demanded an end to the oppression of the Slav people (Orton 87). It’s important to note that the Slavs did not look for any type of revenge (Orton 88). Rather they wanted to “extend a brotherly hand to all neighbouring nations who are prepared to recognize and effectively champion with us the full equality of all nations, irrespective of their political power or size”. (Orton 88). This was an important development because it indicated some sort of unity among all of the Slav people of Europe (Polišenský 147).
The Congress was unfortunately cut short on June 12, when fighting broke out on the streets (Orton 86). This later became known as the Whitsun
tide events because of the timing during the Christian holiday of Pentecost
. The delegates left in disgust and some were even arrested because of the revolutionary nature of the Congress (Orton 86).
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
between June 2 and June 12, 1848. It was one of several times that voices from all Slav populations of Central Europe were heard in one place. The meeting was meant to be a show of resistance to German nationalism in the city of Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
in the predominantly Slavic Kingdom of Bohemia
Kingdom of Bohemia
The Kingdom of Bohemia was a country located in the region of Bohemia in Central Europe, most of whose territory is currently located in the modern-day Czech Republic. The King was Elector of Holy Roman Empire until its dissolution in 1806, whereupon it became part of the Austrian Empire, and...
, which in spite of that was for many centuries a part of the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
.
Several other Slavic Congresses were held in different eastern European cities over the next 100 years.
Pan-Slavism
Pan-SlavismPan-Slavism
Pan-Slavism was a movement in the mid-19th century aimed at unity of all the Slavic peoples. The main focus was in the Balkans where the South Slavs had been ruled for centuries by other empires, Byzantine Empire, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Venice...
developed over time leading up to the Congress in 1848. The development of some sort of national identity helped to unite the Slavic lands against the increasing German nationalism. The identification of these lands as Slavic does not mean that they are all the same. Within the overarching Slavic category, there are many other groups such as Poles
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
, Czechs and Slovenes.
The Congress
The exact goal of the Congress was unclear even as it was beginning. In addition to lacking a goal, the conference planners also quarreled over the format and the agenda of the gathering (Orton 57). Perhaps this was an indication of how difficult the conference would be for the factions to come together.Once underway, the conference met in three sections: Poles
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
and Ukrainians
Ukrainians
Ukrainians are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Ukraine, which is the sixth-largest nation in Europe. The Constitution of Ukraine applies the term 'Ukrainians' to all its citizens...
; South Slavs
South Slavs
The South Slavs are the southern branch of the Slavic peoples and speak South Slavic languages. Geographically, the South Slavs are native to the Balkan peninsula, the southern Pannonian Plain and the eastern Alps...
; and Czecho-Slovaks. The Pole-Ukrainian section contained a combination of Ruthenes, Mazurians, Wielkopolaks
Greater Poland
Greater Poland or Great Poland, often known by its Polish name Wielkopolska is a historical region of west-central Poland. Its chief city is Poznań.The boundaries of Greater Poland have varied somewhat throughout history...
, and Lithuanians
Lithuanians
Lithuanians are the Baltic ethnic group native to Lithuania, where they number around 2,765,600 people. Another million or more make up the Lithuanian diaspora, largely found in countries such as the United States, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Russia, United Kingdom and Ireland. Their native language...
(Orton 62). Of the total 340 delegates at the Congress, the greatest number came from the Czecho-Slovak section. 237 Czecho-Slovaks participated along with 42 South Slavs and 61 Pole-Ukrainian (Orton 63). German was the primary language used during discussions.
During the Congress, there was debate about the role of Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
in the lives of the Slavs. Dr. Josef Fric argued that the “primary goal is the preservation of Austria”, adding that the Congress “only differs on the means.” (Orton 69) This point was disputed by Ľudovít Štúr
Ludovít Štúr
Ľudovít Štúr , known in his era as Ludevít Velislav Štúr, was the leader of the Slovak national revival in the 19th century, the author of the Slovak language standard eventually leading to the contemporary Slovak literary language...
who told the Congress, “our goal is self-preservation”. (Orton 69) Such a disconnect was typical of the environment of this conference.
One important statement did come out of the conference around June 10, when the Manifesto to the Nations of Europe was pronounced. The statement was a strongly worded proclamation that demanded an end to the oppression of the Slav people (Orton 87). It’s important to note that the Slavs did not look for any type of revenge (Orton 88). Rather they wanted to “extend a brotherly hand to all neighbouring nations who are prepared to recognize and effectively champion with us the full equality of all nations, irrespective of their political power or size”. (Orton 88). This was an important development because it indicated some sort of unity among all of the Slav people of Europe (Polišenský 147).
The Congress was unfortunately cut short on June 12, when fighting broke out on the streets (Orton 86). This later became known as the Whitsun
Whitsun
Whitsun is the name used in the UK for the Christian festival of Pentecost, the seventh Sunday after Easter, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Christ's disciples...
tide events because of the timing during the Christian holiday of Pentecost
Pentecost
Pentecost is a prominent feast in the calendar of Ancient Israel celebrating the giving of the Law on Sinai, and also later in the Christian liturgical year commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ after the Resurrection of Jesus...
. The delegates left in disgust and some were even arrested because of the revolutionary nature of the Congress (Orton 86).
Notable participants
- František PalackýFrantišek PalackýFrantišek Palacký was a Czech historian and politician.-Biography:...
oversaw the entire conference as president. - Stanko VrazStanko VrazStanko Vraz was a Croatian-Slovenian poet. He Slavicized his name to Stanko Vraz in 1836.-Biography:...
, Slovene-Croatian poet, vice-president of congress. - Karol LibeltKarol LibeltKarol Libelt was a Polish philosopher, writer, political and social activist, social worker and liberal, nationalist politician, president of the PTPN.-Life and work:...
, from Prussian PoznanPoznanPoznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
, was the chairman of the PolePolesthumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
s and UkrainianUkrainiansUkrainians are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Ukraine, which is the sixth-largest nation in Europe. The Constitution of Ukraine applies the term 'Ukrainians' to all its citizens...
s. - Pavo Stamatović, from SerbiaSerbiaSerbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, was the chairman of the South Slavs. - Pavel Jozef ŠafárikPavel Jozef ŠafárikPavol Jozef Šafárik Pavol Jozef Šafárik (Safáry / Schaffáry/ Schafary/ Saf(f)arik / Šafarík/ Szafarzik, Czech Pavel Josef Šafařík, German Paul Joseph Schaffarik, Serbian Павле Јосиф Шафарик, Latin Paulus Josephus Schaffarik, Hungarian Pál József Saf(f)arik) Pavol Jozef Šafárik (Safáry /...
, from Kingdom of HungaryKingdom of HungaryThe Kingdom of Hungary comprised present-day Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia , Transylvania , Carpatho Ruthenia , Vojvodina , Burgenland , and other smaller territories surrounding present-day Hungary's borders...
, was the chairman of the Czecho-Slovaks. - Mikhail BakuninMikhail BakuninMikhail Alexandrovich Bakunin was a well-known Russian revolutionary and theorist of collectivist anarchism. He has also often been called the father of anarchist theory in general. Bakunin grew up near Moscow, where he moved to study philosophy and began to read the French Encyclopedists,...
, a RussiaRussiaRussia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n Pan-Slavist who subsequently became an Anarchist. - Jovan Subotić, Serbian poet, lawyer and politician, was in attendance.
Sources
- Logan, H.V.: Helasia a New Force that was Never Recognised. London: The Palmer Press, 1956
- Orton, Lawrence D.: The Prague Slav Congress of 1848. New York: Columbia University Press, 1978.
- Polišenský, Josef: Aristocrats and the Crowd in the Revolutionary Year 1848. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1980.