Civics
6
Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk (1850-1937), born to a family of humble origins, became a renowned scholar, university professor, politician, founder and first president of the Republic of Czechoslovakia. During World War I he founded the Czechoslovak National Council in Paris to advocate independence from Austria-Hungary and organized the Czechoslovak Legion, a volunteer army that fought in Russia, Italy, and France in support of the Allied cause. In 1918 he won the support of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson for independence, and with the fall of Austria-Hungary he became president of Czechoslovakia. Thrice elected, he held the office until 1935. Supported by his American-born wife, Charlotte Garrigue, he was inspired by U.S. presidents Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln and by ideals of free elections, the rule of law, separation of powers, universal suffrage, and the fundamental liberties of speech, assembly, and religion.
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Washington, District of Columbia · United States
