Slovakia declares independence under German pressure.

The period between 1939 and 1945 marks a profoundly complex and often controversial chapter in Slovak history, defined by the existence of the (First) Slovak Republic, also widely known as the Slovak State (Slovenský štát). This entity emerged on March 14, 1939, as a partially-recognized client state of Nazi Germany, a relationship that fundamentally shaped its six-year existence until its dissolution on April 4, 1945.

Its birth was directly intertwined with the aggressive expansionist policies of Adolf Hitler’s Germany. Just one day before the German occupation of Bohemia and Moravia effectively dismantled Czechoslovakia, the Slovak part declared its independence, crucially bolstered by German support. This move, while seen by some as a necessary step for national self-preservation in a turbulent era, firmly placed the nascent state within Germany's sphere of influence. Geographically, the Slovak Republic commanded the majority of what constitutes present-day Slovakia, though it notably lacked its southern territories, which Czechoslovakia had been forced to cede to Hungary in 1938 following the First Vienna Award. For the first time in its long history, Slovakia formally existed as an independent state, albeit one whose sovereignty was heavily circumscribed by its powerful patron.

A Nation Under One-Party Rule and Collaboration

Internally, the First Slovak Republic operated as a one-party state, dominated by the far-right Hlinka's Slovak People's Party. This political movement, with its strong nationalist and anti-Semitic leanings, became the sole governing force, shaping all aspects of public life. Its leadership and policies were heavily influenced by the prevailing authoritarian and fascist ideologies spreading across Europe at the time, particularly those emanating from Berlin.

The state’s defining characteristic, and its most enduring legacy, was its unequivocal collaboration with Nazi Germany throughout World War II. This partnership extended beyond political alignment to direct military involvement. Slovak troops participated alongside German forces in the invasion of Poland in September 1939, one of the opening acts of World War II. Later, in 1941, Slovak units also joined the massive invasion of the Soviet Union, known as Operation Barbarossa, demonstrating a commitment to the Axis cause.

The Tragic Reality of the Holocaust in Slovakia

Perhaps the darkest stain on the Slovak Republic's history is its active participation in the Holocaust. In 1942, the government implemented horrific policies that led to the deportation of approximately 58,000 Jews from Slovak territory to German-occupied Poland. This represented a devastating two-thirds of the entire Slovak Jewish population. Adding a chilling layer to this tragedy, the Slovak government not only facilitated these deportations but also paid Nazi Germany 500 Reichsmarks for each Jew taken, effectively paying for their own citizens' extermination. This act stands as a stark reminder of the regime's complicity and the profound moral failures of the period.

The Fall of the Slovak State and Its Legacy

As the tide of World War II began to turn, so too did the internal dynamics within the Slovak Republic. Increased activity from anti-Nazi Slovak partisans, who bravely resisted the regime and its German allies, eventually provoked a direct German military intervention. In August 1944, Germany invaded Slovakia, leading to the dramatic Slovak National Uprising. This major armed resistance movement, though ultimately suppressed by German and collaborationist forces, showcased a deep-seated opposition to the pro-Nazi government and became a powerful symbol of Slovak resistance. The uprising significantly weakened the state's internal control and further alienated it from its own population.

The end for the Slovak Republic came with the advancing Soviet forces. Following the Soviet occupation in 1945, the state was formally abolished, and its territory was reintegrated into a newly reconstituted post-war state, the Third Czechoslovak Republic. This marked the definitive end of the first period of Slovak formal independence.

Today, the modern Slovak Republic unequivocally distances itself from its wartime predecessor. It does not consider itself a successor state to the collaborationist wartime regime, instead choosing to trace its lineage and legitimacy to the Czechoslovak government-in-exile, which represented democratic ideals during the war. However, the legacy remains contentious, with some nationalist elements within Slovakia continuing to celebrate March 14 – the date of the wartime republic's founding – as a day of independence, underscoring the enduring historical complexities and differing interpretations of this pivotal era.

Frequently Asked Questions about the First Slovak Republic

What was the First Slovak Republic?
The First Slovak Republic, also known as the Slovak State, was a partially-recognized client state of Nazi Germany that existed from March 1939 to April 1945. It was the first time Slovakia had been a formally independent state.
When did the First Slovak Republic exist?
It existed from March 14, 1939, to April 4, 1945, coinciding almost exactly with the duration of World War II in Europe.
How did the First Slovak Republic come into being?
It declared independence from Czechoslovakia on March 14, 1939, with the crucial support of Nazi Germany, just before Germany occupied Bohemia and Moravia.
Who governed the First Slovak Republic?
It was a one-party state governed by the far-right Hlinka's Slovak People's Party.
What was its relationship with Nazi Germany?
It was a client state of Nazi Germany, characterized by close collaboration, including military participation in the invasions of Poland and the Soviet Union.
What role did it play in the Holocaust?
The First Slovak Republic actively participated in the Holocaust, deporting approximately 58,000 Jewish citizens (two-thirds of its Jewish population) to German-occupied Poland in 1942 and even paying Germany 500 Reichsmarks per deported Jew.
What led to its end?
Increasing anti-Nazi partisan activity led to a German invasion and the Slovak National Uprising. It was ultimately abolished after the Soviet occupation of Slovakia in 1945.
Does the current Slovak Republic consider itself a successor to the wartime state?
No, the current Slovak Republic explicitly does not consider itself a successor. It traces its lineage to the Czechoslovak government-in-exile, which represented democratic opposition during the war.