Figure 1.--Here we see a Czech family from Nova Paka photographed in Czech folk costumes. I'm not sure when the portrait was made, but would guess about 1910. We are not sure to what extent these costumes varied throughout the Czech areas of Bohemia and Moravia. Nova Paka is located today in the Czech Republic and is best known for its brewery which bottles BrouCzech beer. One internet comment reads, "If you want somewhere a little off the main tourist trails, that still oozes Czech charm and heritage with no McDonalds in sight, then Nova Paka can give you the real experience."

Czech leaders from Bohemia declared independence from Austria during the 1848 revolutions. The Austrian Army, however, crushed the Czech revolts and restablished Austrian authority in Bohemia. The Austrians needed Rissian help to do the same in Hungary. The Prussians with their victory in the Austro-Prussian War ended Austria's hopes of unifying Germany under the Hapsburgs (1866). After the Austro Hungarian Empire was created (1867), the Czech areas of Bohemia and Moravia were administered by the Austrians. The Czechs were the third largest national group in the Austro-Hungarian Empire (after the Germans and HUngarians). The Czechs were about 13 percent of the Empire's population. Czechs were the dominant ethnic group in Bohemia and Moravia as well as areas of Silesia. Emigration began in the 1870s, primarily to the United States. Language was by far the single most contentious issue in Austro-Hungarian politics. Sucessive governments faced this difficult issue in various ways and in different principalities. Minorities wanted to use their language in the schools as well as in government. Austrian Prime Minister Kasimir Felix Graf Badeni attempting to address the issue gave the Czech language equal standing with German in the internal government of Bohemia under the "Ordinance of April 5, 1897". Austrians were outraged at this. The Emperor ultimately dismissed Badeni. The Czechs under another prime minister lost the right to use their language in newspapers and in the workplace. We believe that Czech fashions in the cities were similar to styles in Vienna and oter major cities. Clothing in the country still included folk styles, especially in the 19th century.

Organizational Problem

We have a problem in using photographs from Bohemia and other Czech areas as a source of information on Czech clothing. The major cities of the Austro-Hungarian Empire were cosmpolitan. Thus the children photogrphed in a city like Prague may hve been Czech or they could have been other ethnic groups like Germans/Austrians, Hungarian, and others.

History

Czech leaders from Bohemia declared independence from Austria during the 1848 revolutions. The Austrian Army, however, crushed the Czech revolts and restablished Austrian authority in Bohemia. The Austrians needed Rissian help to do the same in Hungary. The Prussians with their victory in the Austro-Prussian War ended Austria's hopes of unifying Germany under the Hapsburgs (1866). After the Austro Hungarian Empire was created (1867), the Czech areas of Bohemia and Moravia were administered by the Austrians.

Ethnic Group

The Czechs were the third largest national group in the Austro-Hungarian Empire (after the Germans and HUngarians). The Czechs were about 13 percent of the Empire's population. Czechs were the dominant ethnic group in Bohemia and Moravia as well as areas of Silesia.

Chronology

We believe that Czech fashions in the cities were similar to styles in Vienna and oter major cities. his may have been the case for some time because Bohemia has been ruled by the Hapsburgs since the 13th century. Clothing in the country still included folk styles, especially during the 19th century. This of course changed over time with urban clothing becomeing increasingly important even in rural areas. We do not yet have a sufficently large Czech archive to chronicle these developments, but are collecting information.

Garments

Emigration

Emigration began in the 1870s, primarily to the United States.

Language

Language was by far the single most contentious issue in Austro-Hungarian politics. Sucessive governments faced this difficult issue in various ways and in the different principalities. Minorities wanted to use their language in the schools as well as in government. Austrian Prime Minister Kasimir Felix Graf Badeni attempting to address the issue gave the Czech language equal standing with German in the internal government of Bohemia under the "Ordinance of April 5, 1897". Austrians were outraged at this. The Emperor ultimately dismissed Badeni. The Czechs under another prime minister lost the right to use their language in newspapers and in the workplace.

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Created: 2:39 AM 4/8/2008
Last updated: 2:39 AM 4/8/2008