The Slovak territories were conquered by the Hungarians in the 10th century
and fully integrated into their kingdom, never enjoying any kind of autonomy
or never forming a separate administrative unit. (1)(1) Slovakia was part of the region known as Feldivék (Upper Hungary)
which also included Subcarpathia.
In 1918, at the end of Habsburg rule in Hungary, it was divided into
the following Hungarian counties (Megye) :
- Abaúj (Slov.: Abov)
- Árva (Slov.: Orava)
- Bars (Slov.: Tekov)
- Beszterczebŕnya (Slov.: Banská Bystrica)
- Gömör (Slov.: Gemer)
- Hont
- Kleinhont
- Késmárk (Slov : Kezmarok)
- Komárom (Slov.: Komorn)
- Liptó (Slov.: Liptov)
- Nemetprona (Slov.: Nemecke Pravno)
- Nógrád (Slov.: Novohrad)
- Sáros (Slov.: Saris)
- Torna (Slov.: Turna)
- Trencsén (Slov.: Trencin)
- Turóc (Slov.: Turiec)
- Zemplén (Slov.: Zemplín)
As a result, a Slovak national movement, claiming at least a certain degree
of selfgovernment within Hungary, emerged in the course of the 19th century
and in 1918, taking advantage of the difficulties of the Hungarians on their
southern frontiers, a Slovak National Council toke over the administration
of the Slovak lands. This inaugurated a troubled period which lasted until
1920, when, by the Treaty of Trianon, Hungary was forced to formally cede
the territory to Czechoslovakia.
Events of 1918 - 1920
1918 :
Oct 30 : A Slovak National Council toke over the administration of the Slovak
lands. While proclaiming the union with Czechoslovakia, the council
also started negociations with the Hungarian government in order to
obtain selfgovernment.
Nov 05 : Czechoslovakia started occupying Slovakia.
Dec 06 : After an allied intervention Slovakia was temporarily divided into
two zones : West Slovakia became Czech, while East Slovakia remained
Hungarian.
Dec 14 : An independent Eastern Slovak Republic was established in the
Hungarian zone.
Dec 30 : Czechoslovakia ended the Eastern Slovak Republic and occupied East
Slovakia
Dec 31 : Hungarians in West Slovakia proclaimed a Slovak Soviet Republic
1919
Jan 01 : West Slovakia was reconquered by the Czechs. In the course of the
following days what remained of Hungarian rule in East Slovakia was
also terminated.
May 01 : Hungarian troops invaded Slovakia and conquered two thirds of the
region.
May 25 : The occupied territories were organized as a Slovak Soviet Republic
Jun 23 : After the retreat of the Hungarian occupation forces the republic
was rapidly overrun by Czech troops.
1920
Jun 04 : Treaty of Trianon : Hungary formally ceded the parts of the already
listed Megye which were inhabited by a majority of Slovaks, to the
new Czechoslovak State. (2)
(2) This transfer also included the Megye of Pozsony (Slov.: Bratislava)
in West Hungary, also inhabited by Slovaks. (see also Burgenland)
At the same time some parts of the Megye of Orava (Pol.: Orawa) and
Késmárk (Pol.: Spisz) were however transferred to Poland.
____________________________________________________________________________
ADMINISTRATORS OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLICS 1918 - 1919
EAST SLOVAK REPUBLIC (1918)Leader of the East Slovak Republic
1918 Viktor Dvorcák 1878 - 1943
SLOVAK SOVIET REPUBLIC (1918 - 1919)Leader of the (West) Slovak Soviet Republic
1918 - 1919 Gabor Mészáros
SLOVAK SOVIET REBUBLIC (1919)Commanders of the Hungarian Troops in Slovakia
1919 Gen. Aurel Bromfeld
1919 .... Jenö Landler 1875 - 1928
Revolutionary Executive Committee
Revolucny Vykonny Vybor
1919 -Ján Vavrica 1891 - 1938
-Jozef Varecha 1885 -
-Antonín Janouek 1877 - 1941
-Stefan Stehlík
-Samuel Capó 1883 - 1947
-Ludovít Jakab 1887 - 1957
-Ernest Pór 1889 - 1943
-Frantiek Fehér
-Stefan Mokrán 1887 - 1971
-Gustáv Fleischer 1871 - 1956
-Jozef Cápai
Revolutionary Governing Council / Council of People's Commissars
Revolucna Vladna Rada / Rada Ludovych Komisarov
ChairmanPredseda
1919 Antonín Janouek s.a.
Commissars for Foreign Affairs
1919 -Antonín Janouek s.a.
-Ernest Pór s.a.
Commissars for Military Affairs
1919 -Ján Vavrica s.a.
-Ján Kovác 1891 - 1972
Commissars for the Interior
1919 -Frantiek Fehér s.a.
-Jozef Suka 1893 - 1974
Commissars for Justice
1919 -M. Ungar
-Václav Cerny 1900 - 1982
Commissars for Finance
1919 -J. Hamzik
-Viliam Bajan 1896 - 1935
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ADMINISTRATORS OF CZECHOSLOVAK SLOVAKIA 1918 - 1938
Chairman of the Slovak National Council
The Slovak National Council established in 1918 continued to function under
Czech authority until 1919 when it was abolished.
1918 - 1919 Matú Dula, briefly arrested
by the Hungarians in 1918 1846 - 1926
Commanders of the Czechoslovak Troops operating in SlovakiaCommander of the Czechoslovak Troops operating East of the Morava river
1918 - 1919 Gen. Luigi Giuseppe Picione
Commander of the Western Army Group
1919 - 1920 Gen. Eugčne Desiré Antoine
Mittelhauser 1873 - 1949
Slovak Provisional Government
Docasná Vláda pro Slovensko
The Slovak Provisional Government - set up by the Czechoslovak government to
act as a transitional government for the Czech parts of Slovakia - was only
actually present in the territory for some days in nov 1918. It then returned
to Prague, only Pavel Blaho remaining in the country as Czechoslovak General
Commissioner for Slovakia.
1918 -Vavro Jan robár, Chairman
and Minister for Finance 1867 - 1950
-Ivan Dérer, Minister for
the Army 1884 - 1873
-Pavel Blaho 1867 - 1927
-Anton tefánek 1877 - 1977
In dec 1918 the Slovak Provisional Government was replaced by a Ministry for
Slovak Affairs, whose main task was to co-ordinate the administration of the
six Zupans - Bratislava, Kosice, Liptovsky Svaty Mikulá, Nitra, Turciansky
Svaty Martin and Zvoles - into which Slovakia had been divided.
Ministers of Slovak Affairs
1918 - 1920 Vavro Ján robár s.a.
1920 Ivan Dérer* s.a.
1920 - 1922 Martin Micura 1883 - 1946
1922 - 1927 Josef Kállay 1881 - 1939
In 1927 the Ministry for Slovak affairs was abolished and the six zupans were
united into the Land of Slovakia, enjoying some administrative autonomy.
Minister Plenipotentiary and Administrator of Slovakia
1927 - 1928 Josef Kállay s.a.
Land Presidents of Slovakia
1928 - 1931 Ján Drobný 1881 - 1948
1931 - 1938 Jozef Országh 1883 - 1949
AUTONOMOUS SLOVAKIA 1938 - 1939
In 1938 Slovakia became an autonomous part of the Czechoslovak Republic. (3)
(3) At the same time the southern parts of the region had to be ceded to
Hungary.
On mar 10 1939, in an attempt to restore its authority over the
regional authorities, the central government imposed military rule
and appointed a new governement (listed as CG below).
Military Governor
(exact style not known)
1939 Gen. Lev Prchala, Commander of the
Bratislava Military District 1892 - 1963
_____________________________________________________________________________
CZECHOSLOVAK MINISTERS IN CHARGE OF SLOVAKIA
Czechoslovak Ministers for Slovak Affairs
1938 Jozef Tiso 1887 - 1947
1938 - 1939 Karol Sidor 1901 - 1953
1939 - 1940 none
1940 - 1945 Gen. Rudolf Viest, in exile 1890 - 1945
____________________________________________________________________________
SLOVAK MINISTERS
Presidents of the Government
1938 - 1939 Jozef Tiso s.a.
1939 Jozef Sivák* 1886 - 1959
1939 Karol Sidor (CG) s.a.
Ministers of Home Affairs
1938 - 1939 Jozef Tiso s.a.
1939 Jozef Sivák* s.a.
1939 Martin Sokol (CG) 1901 - 1957
Ministers of Justice
1938 Ferdinand Durcanský 1906 - 1974
1938 - 1939 Milo Vanco 1884 - 1970
1939 Jozef Sivák* s.a.
1939 Gejza Fritz (CG) 1880 - 1957
Ministers of Finance
1938 - 1939 Pavol Teplanský 1896 - 1969
1939 Alexander Hrncar (CG)
SLOVAK REPUBLIC 1939 - 1945
In 1939 Slovakia, under heavy German pressure, proclaimed its independence
and became an independent Republic. (4)
(4) Although the country was immediately linked to the German Reich by
a number of Treaties (political, economical and financial) it did
actually retain a large mesure of independence until the outbreak
of the revolt of 1944, when the Germans occupied the whole country
and reduced it to a puppet state.
The most important of these treaties were the Protection Treaty and
the Trade Agreement (with the confidential protocol concerning the
Economic and Financial Cooperation between the Reich and Slovakia
attached to it) of 1939.
The first treaty - formally intended to protect Slovakia against a
possible Hungarian agression - gave the Germans the opportunity to
appoint German advisers to the Slovak ministries (and later also to
all other administrations) and to encamp some German troops in the
country (used during the invasion of Poland, after which Slovakia
retained the territories ceded to Poland in 1920)
The second treaty gave Germany full control over Slovak economy and
finances (although it must be added that at the same time it also
gave Slovakia the opportunity to set up an industrial infrastructure
it had never had before)
It also allowed the German Reichsbahn to take control of the Slovak
railways.
Later treaties included :
- the Treaty concerning the Military Economy of 1940, which placed
all Slovak military industry under German supervision
- the Anticomintern Pact to which Slovakia was summoned to adhere
in 1940 and that resulted in the sending of some Slovak troops to
the eastern front in 1941.
____________________________________________________________________________
GERMAN REPRESENTATIVES AND COMMANDERS
Envoys Extraordinary and and Ministers Plenipotentiary
Ausserordentliche Gesandte und Bevollmächtigte Minister
1939 - 1940 Hans Bernard
1940 - 1941 SA-Obergruppenführer Manfred
Freiherr von Killinger 1886 - 1944
1941 - 1945 SA-Obergruppenführer Hans
Elard Ludin 1905 - 1947
Higher S.S. and Police Leaders and Commanders in Slovakia
Höhere S.S.- und Polizeiführer und Befehlshaber in der Slowakei
(Responsible for internal security, the war against the resistance and the
"final solution")
1944 SS-Obergruppenführer Gottlob Berger 1896 - 1975
1944 - 1945 SS-Obergruppenführer Hermann Höfle 1911 - 1962
____________________________________________________________________________
HEAD OF STATE
Acting Head of State
1939 Jozef Tiso s.a.
President
Prezident
1939 - 1945 Jozef Tiso , in exile in
Germany (Upper Donau) in
1945, surrendered to US
Troops s.a.
____________________________________________________________________________
MINISTERS
(Each of the ministries had German advisers)
Prime Ministers
1939 Jozef Tiso s.a.
1939 - 1944 Vojtech Tuka 1880 - 1946
1944 - 1945 tefan Tiso 1897 - 1959
Ministers of Foreign Affairs
1939 - 1940 Ferdinand Durcanský s.a.
1940 - 1944 Vojtech Tuka s.a.
1944 - 1945 tefan Tiso s.a.
Ministers of People's Defence
1939 - 1944 Gen. Ferdinand Catlo,
deserted to the resistance 1895 - 1944
1944 - 1945 tefan Haík 1898 -
Ministers of Home Affairs
1936 Karol Sidor s.a.
1939 Vojtech Tuka s.a.
1939 - 1940 Ferdinand Durcanský s.a.
1940 - 1945 Alexander "ano" Mach 1902 - 1980
Ministers of Justice
1939 - 1944 Gejza Fritz s.a.
1944 - 1945 tefan Tiso s.a.
Minister of Finance
1939 - 1945 Mikulá Pruinský 1886 - 1953
____________________________________________________________________________
PARTY LEADERS
The Slovak People's Party (Slovenská Ludová Strana) was founded in 1913.
After 1918 - when Slovakia wasn't granted the autonomy it had been promised
in the agreement of Pittsburgh of 1918 between the leaders of the Slovak
diaspora and the Czechoslovak leaders in exile - it became the major Slovak
party opposing Czechoslovak centralism.
In 1939 the party - now styled the Hlinka's Slovak People's Party (Hlinkova
Slovenská Ludová Strana - H.S.L.S.) became the only legal Slovak Party. (6)Cha1rmen
1913 - 1938 Andrej Hlinka 1864 - 1938
1938 - 1945 Jozef Tiso (7) s.a.
(6) Hungarians and Germans continued to have their own political parties.
(7) Assumed the style of Vôdca (Leader) in 1942.
____________________________________________________________________________
LEADER OF THE GERMAN COMMUNITIES IN SLOVAKIA
Germans settled in the Slovakian territories in the 11th-12th centuries. (8)
In 1929 they founded their own party, the Karpatendeutsche Partei.
It was renamed Deutsche Partei in 1938, becoming the only legal German party
in 1939, the same year that the Germans were granted cultural autonomy.
(8) By 1918 most Germans lived in the Hungarian Megye of :
- Késmárk (Germ.: Käsmark, also Zips)
- Nemetprona (Germ.: Deutsch-Proben, also Neutra or Nitra)
- Pozsony (Germ.: Pressburg) (see also Burgenland)
Leader of the Deutsche Partei, Volksgruppenführer and Secretary of State
for German Affairs
1939 - 1945 Franz Karmasin 1901 - 1970
In 1944 part of the German population retreated with the German armies, while
most of the others were drived out in 1945.
____________________________________________________________________________
In 1944 the different Slovak resistance groups were united into the Slovak
National Council (Slovenskej Národnej Rady - S.N.R.) (9)
Together with part of the Slovak Army the S.N.R. rose against the Tiso regime
and the Germans in 1944 and for a brief period (from aug 29 to oct 28) ruled
over some liberated parts of the country.
(9) In 1939 - 1940 there had already briefly existed a Slovak National
Council in exile in Paris.
Chairman
1939 - 1940 Milan Hoda 1878 - 1944
In 1944 Milan Hoda also briefly headed a Slovak Government in exile.
Its minister for Foreign Affairs was tefan Osuský
Board of the Slovak National Council
1944 -Vravro Jan robár, representing
the non-Communist groups,
Co-chairman s.a.
-Karol midke, representing
the Slovak Communist Party,
(whose chairman he was),
Co-chairman 1897 - 1952
-Gustáv Husák, representing the
Slovak Communist Party 1913 - 1991
-Daniel Ertl, representing the
Slovak Communist Party 1886 - 1962
-Jozef Lettrich, representing the
non-Communist groups 1897 - 1952
-Ján Ursíny, representing the
non-Communist groups 1896 - 1972
Council of Plenipotentiaries
(acted as a government for the liberated territories)
Chairman of the Council of Plenipotentiaries
1944 Gustáv Husák* s.a.
Plenipotentiary for National Defence
1944 Col. Mikulá Ferjencik 1904 - 1988
Plenipotentiary for Home Affairs
1944 Gustáv Husák s.a.
Plenipotentiary for Justice
1944 Jozef Soltesz 1909 - 1977
Plenipotentiary for Finance
1944 Viliam Pauliny 1877 - 1945
Board for the Defence of Slovakia
Rada na Obranu Slovenska
(Highest military authority during the uprising of 1944)
1944 -Gen. Ján Golian, Chairman
of the Underground Army
Headquarter and of the
Board for the Defence of
Slovakia (until oct 7) 1906 - 1945
-Gen. Rudolf Viest, Chairman
of the Underground Army
Headquarter and of the Board
for the Defence of Slovakia,
Commander of the 1st Czechoslovak
Army in Slovakia (since oct 7) 1890 - 1945
-Capt. Milan Polak 1897 - 1951
-Maj. Jozef Marko 1904 - 1981
-Col. Mikulá Ferjencik,
Plenipotentiary for Defence
in the S.N.R. s.a.
-Karol midke, representing
the Slovak Communist Party s.a.
-Rudolf Salzmann "Rudolf
Slánský", representing the
Czechoslovak Communist Party
in exile 1901 - 1952
-Peter Zatko, representing the
non-Communist Parties
-Col. Aleksey Nikitich Asmolov,
representing the Partisans (10) 1906 - 1981
(10) After the Germans had quelled the uprising he continued the struggle
as head of all partisan units.
CZECHOSLOVAK SLOVAKIA 1945
In 1944-1945 the Germans and their Slovak allies were driven out of Slovakia
by Soviet troops. The region was immediately reintegrated into the restored
Czechoslovak State, retaining however some internal autonomy.
____________________________________________________________________________
ADMINISTRATORS OF AUTONOMOUS SLOVAKIA
Chairman of the Council of Plenipotentiaries and Plenipotentiary for Home
Affairs
1945 Gustáv Husák (2x)
Plenipotentiary for Justice
1945 Jan tefanik
Plenipotentiary for Finance
1945 Tomá Tvaroek
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