Postcard celebrating the independence of Czechoslovakia from Austria-Hungary, proclaimed in its capital Prague on October 28, 1918. The lion, a symbol of Bohemia dating to the 12th or 13th century, became part of the coat of arms of, and a symbol for, Czechoslovakia. The lion holds in its mouth remnants of a Habsburg banner, while looking at part of the Prague skyline.
Ať ŽijeČeskoslovenska Republika!28. Rijna 1918Long liveThe Republic of Czechoslovakia!October 28, 1918
"At 9 a.m. on the morning of 28 October Field Marshal von Boroević demanded that the AOK conclude an armistice at any price to head off the 'anarchy' that would surely spell 'catastrophe for Monarchy and Army'. Arz followed this advice within 4 hours. At 4:45 p.m. the AOK dispatched a military delegation to Triente to discuss term with the Italians.That same day, 28 October, Prague politicians proclaimed a Czecho-Slovak state; Slovak leaders concurred within 3 days. Austrian Galicia also announced on 28 October that it would join a new Polish state. One day later Croatia, Slovenia, and Dalmatia seceded from the Dual Monarchy. . . .By 28 October, in a last-ditch attempt to save what could be saved by placating the Great Idealist in Washington, they had put the finishing touches on the first major revision of the Bismarckian constitution since 1871. Henceforth, the Chancellor would be responsible to the Reichstag. International treaties, the declaration of war as well as the conclusion of peace, and the appointment, promotion, and dismissal of officers would require the consent of both the Reichstag and the Federal Chamber. The Ministers of War likewise would have to answer to both federal houses. In short, the German parliament gained control over foreign and military affairs."
The 'Great Idealist in Washington' was President Woodrow Wilson. Number Ten of his Fourteen Points called for 'Assuring the freest opportunity of autonomous development to the peoples of Austria-Hungary.' (Quoted in King's Complete History of the World War, page 371.) The peoples of Austria-Hungary were taking his advice and breaking the Empire apart. Wilson had grown more implacable towards Germany where politicians in Berlin were hoping a new constitution and government would lead to peace. At the beginning of the war, Austro-Hungarian General Svetozar Boroević served on the Russian Front, where he lifted the first siege of Przemyśl, until Italy entered the war when he was transferred to the Italian Front. There he commanded Austro-Hungarian forces through the eleven Italian offensives on the Isonzo River and in the Austro-Hungarian-German offensive of Twelfth Isonzo, the Battle of Caporetto. AOK — Armee Oberkommando — the Army Higher Command — was the command center for all land and naval forces of Austria-Hungary. General Arthur Arz von Straussenburg was Chief of the General Staff of the Austro-Hungarian Army, appointed by Austro-Hungarian Emperor Karl had appointed in February, 1917, replacing Franz Conrad von Hötzendorf.
The First World War: Germany and Austria Hungary 1914-1918 by Holger H. Herwig, pp. 437, 442–443, copyright © 1997 Holger H. Herwig, publisher: Arnold, publication date: 1997
1918-10-28, 1918, October, Prague, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Croatia, Slovenia, Dalmatia, Boroević, Boroevic, Reichstag
