Czech lands

The Czech lands is a name used to talk about three old areas called Bohemia, Moravia, and Czech Silesia. These places came together to make up Czechoslovakia, and later became the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Since 1919, these three areas have been known as the Czech part of Czechoslovakia, and since 1993, they have been part of the Czech Republic.

Historically, the term "Czech lands" was used for any area ruled by the Kings of Bohemia. This goes back to when Emperor Charles IV set up what was called the lands of the Bohemian Crown in the 1300s. At that time, it included places like the Lusatias and all of Silesia, all ruled from Prague Castle. However, after the Prussian king Frederick the Great took over Silesia in the First Silesian War in 1742, the remaining lands—Bohemia, Moravia, and Austrian Silesia—became about the same size as the modern Czech Republic today.

The Czech lands have a rich history with old symbols and buildings, like the coat of arms of Bohemia and Moravia, shown in a 13th-century painting from a castle in Krems.

Alternative names

Main article: Name of the Czech Republic

The term Czech lands has been used in different ways by different people. In Czech, the name for the region of Bohemia is Čechy, but the word český can mean both "Bohemian" and "Czech". Today, the official name for the Czech lands — which include Bohemia, Moravia, and Czech Silesia — is Česko. This name has been used since 1704, though it originally only referred to Bohemia (Čechy).

During the time of the First and Second Czechoslovak Republics, the Czech lands were often called Historical lands, especially when talked about together with Slovakia, which was not part of the Kingdom of Hungary as a separate region.

History

Main article: History of the Czech lands

Long ago, the land now known as the Czech Republic was first settled by people called the Celts. Later, other groups like the Marcomanni and Quadi lived there too. In the 6th century, new people called Western Slavs arrived.

Over time, leaders called the Přemyslid dynasty formed a place called the Duchy of Bohemia. They got help from kings of East Francia and grew their land to include nearby Moravia. In 1198, a leader named Ottokar I became a king. He added more lands like Moravia to his kingdom. Later, other leaders brought in people from Germany to live in certain areas.

The lands to the north, called Silesia, were once ruled by Polish leaders. But over time, they came under the control of the Bohemian kings. One important king, Charles IV, made sure these lands stayed connected to Bohemia. Later, these lands became part of a bigger group ruled by the Habsburgs. In the 1700s, some of Silesia was lost to Prussia in a war.

Coats of arms

Main article: Coat of arms of the Czech Republic

The coat of arms of the Czech Republic includes symbols from three important lands: Bohemia, Moravia, and Czech Silesia. Bohemia's symbol comes from the old Kingdom of Bohemia, and Moravia's from the Moravian margraviate. Czech Silesia's symbol was used for the whole region of Silesia, most of which is now part of Poland.

Bohemia, also used as the Lesser coat of arms of the modern Czech Republic

Moravia

[Silesia](/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Silesia)

Greater coat of arms of the present-day Czech Republic