List of ambassadors of the United States to Czechoslovakia Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Ambassador of the United States to Czechoslovakia
Seal of the United States Department of State
Incumbent None
Nominator	The President of the United States
Inaugural holder	Richard Crane as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
Formation	April 23, 1919
Abolished	December 31, 1992
Succession	• United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic • United States Ambassador to Slovakia

The U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia was a special representative from the United States to the country of Czechoslovakia. An ambassador is a top diplomat who works to keep good relationships between their home country and the country they are sent to. This ambassador helped the U.S. and Czechoslovakia work together on many important things, like trade and peace.

A New Nation and Its First Ambassador
Challenges and Changes
The End of Czechoslovakia
List of Ambassadors
See also

A New Nation and Its First Ambassador

Czechoslovakia was a country in Central Europe that existed from 1918 to 1992. It was formed after World War I, when the large Austro-Hungarian Empire broke apart. The Czechs and Slovaks joined together to create this new nation.

The United States quickly recognized Czechoslovakia as an independent country. On April 23, 1919, the U.S. sent its first official representative, Richard Crane, to serve as the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. This was the first step in building a strong friendship between the two countries.

Challenges and Changes

World War II and the Embassy Closure

In March 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Czechoslovakia. They took over parts of the country, creating a German "protectorate" called the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. Before this, Slovakia had already declared its independence, becoming a state controlled by Germany.

German forces entered Prague, the capital city, on March 15, 1939. Because of this invasion, the U.S. embassy in Prague had to close on March 21, 1939. The U.S. ambassador left his post on April 6, 1939.

Diplomacy During Wartime

Even though the embassy in Prague was closed, the United States still supported Czechoslovakia. During World War II, the U.S. kept diplomatic ties with the Czechoslovak government-in-exile. This government was made up of Czechoslovak leaders who had fled to London.

Ambassador Anthony J. Biddle, Jr. set up a temporary embassy in London on September 17, 1941. This embassy continued its work until the war ended in Europe.

Reopening and the Cold War Era

After Germany surrendered, the U.S. embassy in Prague reopened on May 29, 1945. This marked the return of normal diplomatic relations.

For many years after 1961, the U.S. ambassadors were officially sent to the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. This was during the period known as the Cold War, when Czechoslovakia was under communist rule.

The End of Czechoslovakia

In June 1992, the Slovak parliament voted to become an independent country. The federation of Czechs and Slovaks then peacefully separated on January 1, 1993. This event is known as the Dissolution of Czechoslovakia.

The United States quickly recognized both the Czech Republic and Slovakia as independent nations. The last U.S. ambassador to Czechoslovakia, Adrian A. Basora, became the first ambassador to the new Czech Republic. For Slovakia, a diplomat named Paul Hacker served as the first temporary head of the U.S. Embassy. Later, Theodore E. Russell became the first official U.S. ambassador to Slovakia in November 1993.