Czecho-Slovakia at the 1939 World Expo in New York

Abstract

This is the first study on the presentation of Czechoslovakia at the 1939 World Expo in New York in Slovak or Czech historical literature. It describes a small part of modern Czech and Slovak history, a typical piece of the social, political, economic and cultural puzzle of its time. Technical and organizational preparations for the presentation of Czechoslovakia at this World Expo were already under way in 1938. The scope and character, however, changed significantly after the breakup of Czechoslovakia. Czechoslovak dip-lomatic representation in the USA continued to function, and they played an integral role in the participation in the changed circumstances. The Czech and Slovak immigrant communities in the USA were also vital in the success of this endeavour. It was their common determination and persevarance that made the presentation happen in the end. The situation was largely complicated by the negative stance of the US Government to the changes which had taken place in the territory of Czechoslovakia.