Czechoslovak government-in-exile facts for kids

The Czechoslovak government-in-exile was a special group of leaders who acted as the true government for Czechoslovakia during World War II. They had to leave their home country because Nazi Germany took control of it. This group was first called the Czechoslovak National Liberation Committee. Countries like Great Britain and other Allied nations recognized them as the official government of Czechoslovakia, even though they were living outside their country.

What Was the Czechoslovak Government-in-Exile?

The Czechoslovak government-in-exile was the name given to the Czechoslovak National Liberation Committee. This committee was formed by the former Czechoslovak President, Edvard Beneš. It was created in October 1939 in Paris, France.

Why Did They Leave Czechoslovakia?

After Nazi Germany took over parts of Czechoslovakia and then the whole country, the original government could no longer rule. President Beneš and other leaders wanted to continue fighting for their country's freedom. They decided to set up a government outside Czechoslovakia. This way, they could keep working to free their homeland from Nazi control.

Moving to London for Safety

At first, the committee tried to get official recognition from France. However, these talks were not successful. Also, Nazi Germany was about to occupy France. Because of these reasons, the committee had to move. In 1940, they moved to London, England.

Later, in 1941, they moved again to Aston Abbots, a village in Buckinghamshire. This move was for safety. London was being heavily bombed by the Germans during what was known as the London Blitz. Moving to a smaller village offered more protection.

What Were Their Main Goals?

The government-in-exile had clear goals during World War II:

• Fighting Fascism: They were strongly against Fascism, which was the political idea of the Nazis.
• Reversing the Munich Agreement: They wanted to undo the Munich Agreement. This agreement, signed in 1938, allowed Germany to take over a part of Czechoslovakia called the Sudetenland.
• Ending German Occupation: Their main aim was to end the German occupation of Czechoslovakia.
• Restoring Borders: They wanted Czechoslovakia to return to its borders as they were in 1937, before Germany started taking over.

Because of these goals, the countries that recognized the government-in-exile saw it as the true and legal continuation of the First Republic of Czechoslovakia. This meant they believed it was the rightful government, even though it was operating from outside the country.

Images for kids

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  Troops from the 1st Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade, part of the British army, photographed in De Panne in 1945

See also

In Spanish: Gobierno checoslovaco en el exilio para niños