Czech National Social Party was a Czech political party formed in 1897 as a grouping of the patriotically minded part of the working class. It changed its name several times, and from 1926 it was called the Czechoslovak National Socialist Party.[1]
Origins and early years
The party arose in 1897 under the name Czech National Social Party. Its founding was a response to a declaration by Czech Social Democratic deputies of the Imperial Council, who in it turned away from the policy pursued by the liberal parties and did not accept a declaration on state rights of a national character.[1] At its 8th congress, held from 30 March to 1 April 1918, the party adopted the name Czechoslovak Socialist Party.[1]
In the First Republic
In the first years of the republic the party cooperated closely with the Czechoslovak Social Democracy and considered merging with it again. This did not happen because of internal difficulties of the Social Democrats and differences in programmes.[1] The National Socialists were among the parties that relied on President Masaryk and were called the parties of the Castle.[1] In 1926 a congress approved a new name, the Czechoslovak National Socialist Party.[1] After Masaryk left office, the National Socialist Edvard Beneš was elected president on his recommendation and with the support of democratic parties.[1]
War and the post-war period
The party advocated the defence of the republic. During the war many of its members joined the resistance and a number of them were imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps, among them Milada Horáková.[1] In 1945 the party's activity was renewed and Petr Zenkl became its chairman. Its press organ became Svobodné slovo.[1] After the 1946 elections it was among the strongest parties and was the most important non-communist force on the political scene.[1] In February 1948 the party initiated the resignation of the democratic ministers. After 25 February it was, according to Czech Television, "revived", that is, cleared of its anti-communist representatives, and renamed the Czechoslovak Socialist Party.[1]
In exile and after 1990
In exile the Czechoslovak National Socialist Party operated, with Petr Zenkl as its chairman until his death.[1] In 1990 the then Czechoslovak Socialist Party merged with the exile Czechoslovak National Social Party. The expected renaming did not take place, however, and the party's influence on political life gradually declined.[1]