Codice albumGBB-F-004576

Codice inventarioGBB-F-004576-0000

1918 : The Czechoslovak politician, sociologist and philosopher Tomö Garrigue MASARYK (1850 - 1937) meet the United States President D. R. W. WILSON. Masaryk was an eager advocate of Czechoslovak independence during World War I became the founder and first President of Czechoslovakia from 1918 to 1935. He originally wished to reform the Austro-Hungarian monarchy into a democratic federal state, but during the First World War he began to favour the abolition of the monarchy and, with the help of the Allied Powers, eventually succeeded. n 1918 he traveled to the United States (starting from Moscow 7 March to Vladivostok, Fusan and Tokyo, and then to Vancouver by steam liner, and from Canada to Chicago), where he convinced President Woodrow Wilson of the righteousness of his cause. Speaking on 26 October 1918 from the steps of Independence Hall in Philadelphia as head of the Mid-European Union, Masaryk called for the independence of the Czechoslovaks and other oppressed peoples of Central Europe. On May 5, 1918 more than 150,000 Chicagoans filled the streets to give a triumphant welcome to the future President of Czechoslovakia. Masaryk was coming from Russia where he helped to organize the Czechoslovak Legion from former prisoners of war to fight for an independent Czechoslovak State. Chicago was then the center of Czechoslovak immigration to the United States and the city gave Masaryk an enthusiastic reception, echoing Masaryk's earlier visits to the city and his visiting professorship at the University of Chicago in 1902. Prior to 1918 T. G. Masaryk had lectured at the University of Chicago in 1902 and 1907. He also had strong personal links with the U.S. since 1878 through his marriage with an American citizen, Charlotte Garrigue, and friendship with Charles R. Crane. Thanks to Crane, a Chicago industrialist, Masaryk was invited to the University of Chicago and introduced into the highest political circles, including to Woodrow Wilson.

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