THOMAS MASARYK AND THE QUESTION OF CZECH-GERMAN UNDERSTANDING IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE 90S OF THE 19TH CENTURY

Abstract

The article has analyzed the evolution of Tomas Masaryk's views on the problem of Czech-German settlement in the first half of the 90s of the 19th century. The beginning is highlighted of the scientist's socio-political activity. The principles of political realism presented by T. Masaryk and his criticism of the traditional policy of the Old Czech party are analyzed. At the same time, T. Masaryk's desire for a peaceful settlement of Czech-German contradictions and his criticism of the nationalist rhetoric of the Young Czechs are highlighted. The political views of the national figure during his first parliamentary term are clarified. Special attention is paid to Masaryk's understanding of the concept of Czech state law, which was combined with his adherence to the ideology of Austro-Slavism. This resulted in the politician's defense of the principle of territorial autonomy, according to which the Czech crown lands were united into one administrative unit, and the Czech autonomy formed in this way would be a common state for all the peoples inhabiting it. The article describes T. Masaryk's position on the settlement of the «Czech question» in the context of the need for democratization and reform of the Habsburg empire on liberal principles.
The reasons for the evolution of T. Masaryk's political position towards greater criticism of government policy and the anti-Slavic position of Austrian liberals are clarified. The sources of T. Masaryk's formation of a new ideology of the Czech national movement, which was based on the scientist's own philosophy of Czech history, are highlighted. Within its framework, T. Masaryk rejected the dominant opinion of contemporaries about Czech history as a constant struggle between Czechs and Germans. The political ideal is emphasized of T. Masaryk at this time remained autonomy, as the realization of the humanistic ideal with its components: national freedom, national equality, education, foresight and objectivity towards other peoples as a prerequisite for the development of all nations within the Austrian state.