Czechoslovakia Youth Group Uniforms

Figure 1.--The BVU is a uniformed group currently active in the Czech Republic, but I know nothing about them at this time.

Following youth groups in Czechoslovakia is rather complicated by the many political changes affecting the country. Before World War I it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Scouing was established at this time, but we are unsure how it was organized. After the War Czechoslovakia was created in 1918. Scouting was the major youth movement, but I am not sure how the different nationalities affected the organization. Many German Sudeten boys wanted to join the Hitler Youth, but were not allowed ton wear the uniform. The country was invaded and partitioned by NAZI Germany in 1938-39. Part of Czecheslovakia was annexed to the Reich and German boys joined the Hitler Youth. I am not sure what youth groups existed are were allowed in the rest of the former territiries of the country like Slovakia. After World War II in 1945 Scouting briefly appeared. The Communists seized power in 1948. Scouting was banned and the only permitted youth group was the Young Pioneers. After the fall of Communism in 1989, Scouting appeared again. The country split in 199? into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Scouting exists in both countries. There is also a uniformed Czech group called the BVÚ, but I have no information on them.

BVÚ

There is also a uniformed Czech group called the BVÚ, but I have no information on them.I am not even sure what BVÚ stands for. Hopefully our Czech readers will provide us some information.

Boy Scouts

Following youth groups in Czechoslovakia is rather complicated by the many political changes affecting the country. Before World War I it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Scouing was established at this time, but we are unsure how it was organized. After the War Czechoslovakiawas created in 1918. Scouting was the major youth movement, but I am not sure how the different nationalities affected the organization. Scouting was banned when the NAZIs took over the country in 1938-39. After World War II in 1945 Scouting briefly appeared, but eventually banned by the Communists. After the fall of Communism in 1989, Scouting appeared again. The country split in 199? into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Scouting exists in both countries.

Hitler Youth

Many German Sudeten boys wanted to join the Hitler Youth (HJ), but were not allowed to wear the uniform. Some boys traveled to Germany to participate in HJ activities. The country was invaded and partitioned by NAZI Germany in 1938-39. Part of Czecheslovakia was annexed to the Reich and German boys joined the Hitler Youth. Theu wore the same uniform as other HJ boys. A shoulder pathch identified where they were from. Presumably HJ units were organized for the less politicized Carpathian German boys in Slovakia, but I have no details at this time.

Nationalist Groups

I am not sure what youth groups existed in Czechoslovakia before World War II. Sokol might be considered a nationalist group, but was a little different than what we might consider a nationalist youth group becuse Austrian authorities strictly limited nationalist activity in its many different provinces. Nor do I know what nationalist groups were allowed in the rest of the former territiries of the country like Slovakia.

Revolutionary Youth Trade Union Movement

A researcher writes, "I have been researching youth groups from Russia and related countries and am seeking information on the revolutionary youth union movement some times referenced as the revolutionary youth trade union movement from Prague in the Czech republic during the 1950s any information would be a great help." [Hanson] HBU has no information at this time, but would be interested in any information readers may have.

Sokol

Probably the most important social club organization in Europe was Sokol. Miroslav Tyrš and Jindřich Fügner founded Sokol in Prague (1862). Sokil meany Falcon in Czech. It was a social organization for young men which focused on physical training and gymnastics. Sokol as organized by Tyrs included lectures, discussions, and group outings to the physical training. As Czechoslovakia at the time was part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, the organization of young Czech men developed political commotations. Sokol became a hotbed of nationalist feeling in Czechoslovakia ans other Slavic areas of the Ausro-Hungarian Empire. Sokol was susposed toi be non-political, but any organization along national lines woul be difficult to avoid politics given the growing demands for autonmu or even independence. Tyrs himself saw physical, moral, and intellectual training part of the same continum and necessary for building a nation. Sokol attracted members from accross class lines and eventually women as well as men. While Sokol was strongest in Czexhoslovakia, it developed in neigboring Slavic states and other areas of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (Croatia, Macedonia. Poland, Russia, Sebia, Slovenia, and Ukraine. We do not see many younger boys involved in Sokol, but the group apparently helped organize the Scouting mobement in some of these countries. Sokol because of its non-political status was tolerated by Austrian authorities, but in fact it played an important role in populrizing Czech maztionalist sentiment. Sokol published a journal and set up libraries aimed at deseminating Czech literature. Sokol lectures and theatrical as well as gymnastic festivals called Slets were designed to promote Czech nationalism without causing Austrian authorities to ban the organization.

Young Pioneers

The Communists seized power in 1948. Scouting was banned and the only permitted youth group was the Young Pioneers. The Czech Pioneer movement was similar to similar organizations created in Eastern European countries. Like other countries, the uniforms were quite simple, dominated by red scarves. Unlike several other countries, the Scouts were allowed to opetate in Czecheslovakia, at least until the Sovier intervention in 1968. The Pioneer movement continues to operate in the Czech Republic--one of the few Eastern Eurooean countries where Pioneers still continue.

Sources

Hanson, James. Email message, Natch 13, 2010.