1 ABSTRACT The main aim of my diploma work is to show the representation of the class fighting and the class enemy presented to inhabitants of the Czech Repub- lic in the first half of 1950's, particularly during the period of Stalinism. This reflection of the class fighting and the class enemy is a consequence of reading newspaper and poetry published in the defined period. This period is characterized by bipolar dividing of the world in two blocs: socialist and capitalist that declared different contradictory ideologies. This di- viding resulted from the Cold War and both blocs were mutually competing for the final victory of one regime. Socialist bloc described rivalrous capitalist bloc in an unsightly manner and it was knowingly spreading fear of its enemies either coming from the capitalist bloc or at least co-operating with it. So my work demonstrates describing the enemies of socialism and work- ing class and also features that were attributed and ascribed to them. The con- trast between these two blocs were often used for this description. The socialist bloc was the sphere of welfare and progress while the capitalist bloc was the sphere of evil and decay. There are also narrator's memories of the 1950's to sketch in the atmos- phere of the defined period. Selected narrators recall their lives in...

This thesis examines the concept of active citizenship in conception of Vaclav Havel. It further focuses on the possibilities of the legacy of such distinguished personality of modern history in the area of youth education. The theoretical part of the thesis describes the concepts of active citizenship and totalitarianism, and connects them to the example of communist era in Czechoslovakia. Using qualitative research methods, the empirical section of the thesis analyzes the perception of the concept of active citizenship and how Havel's legacy is perceived by students and the employees of Vaclav Havel Library. The analysis also deals with development of civic approach within the scope of Vaclav Havel Library efforts aiming at citizenship education. Using the method of document analysis, the thesis also deals with Havel's essay The Power of the Powerless, which is by Vaclav Havel Library presented as one of his key works serving as a basis for citizenship education. Key words Citizenship, Active Citizenship, Totalitarianism, Communism, Vaclav Havel, Legacy of Vaclav Havel, Vaclav Havel Library, The Power of the Powerless

In the mid and late-19th century, about 15,000 Czechs left for Russia in search of a new life. Most of them settled in the Volhynia Governorate. They bought land, established Czech villages, developed hop growing. In World War I they supported the foundation of the Czechoslovak legions, and many of them also joined the legions. After this war, several hundred Czechs returned to their homeland. In World War II, they rejoined the resistance and formed the foundation of the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps. After the war, most of them claimed re-emigration. The Czechs in Volhynia experienced what Soviet communism was like, as well as persecution, collectivization, and also Ukrainian nationalism. However, returning to the homeland was not easy, and their repatriation was accompanied by many difficulties. Many of them disagreed with the incoming communist regime and warned the population of Czechoslovakia against it. A big number of Volhynian Czechs were kept under surveillance and imprisoned by the communist regime. Love for the country and hard work have always been significant in the history of Volhynian Czechs.

The aim of the diploma thesis is to present artistic objects conceived within the architecture of cultural houses since the onset of the communist regime in 1948. The theoretical part of the thesis introduces the development of architectural tendencies of the first and second half of the 20th century, the process of construction of cultural houses and, in context, the mood of the society at that time. The practical part presents a selection of five houses of culture built between 1948 - 1989, which are located in the geographical area of Prague and Central Bohemia. Data collection was carried out using field research methodology, through a critical evaluation of available historical sources and secondary literature. The supporting element of the research is the photographic documentation of the artworks and architecture of the cultural houses, which is accessible within the appendices of the thesis. Keywords Cultural Houses, Art in Architecture, Czech Architecture after 1948, Socialist Realism, Typification, Communism, Prague, Central Bohemia

The main objective of the diploma thesis is The Media image of the World Cogress of Women in Pragie in 1981 in chosen contemporary press. Women from 133 countries went, in the period from 8 to 13 October 1981, to the Palace of Culture in Prague to discuss equality and peace, descended on the event hosted by the Women's International Democratic Federation. The World Cogress of Women was seen as one of the most important political events of the year 1981 by the Eastern bloc countries. Grasping the topic to handle an event about which no literature after 1989, which would address it, thes describe the media scene, analyze access to press coverage of the event and last but not least, to characterize the status and role of women in 1981, as presented by media. This thesis aids to bring this historical event from a historical perpective of selected dailies and magazine and bring in-depth study of the topic.

This thesis deals with Czechoslovak penal system between the years 1948 - 1989 from the view of religion. It investigates the developement of spiritual service in prison, follows its decline after February 1948 and describes in which way the prisoners tried to find a solution to the prohibiton to practice religion in prisons. Further it focuses on religious persecution in communist Czechoslovakia, presents reasons for imprisonment of the members of individual confessions and shows how their faith reflected in everyday life in prison. The author makes a reference to the concentration of priests in closed departements, explains its reason and tries to depict everyday life of these separated communities. He describes in details how the convicted practiced the acts of their religion and he deals with the differences of individual confessions. The work speculates over the sense of imprisonment of hundreds of priests, friars and laymen from some of the Churches in communist Czechoslovakia. It thinks about the power of faith and conviction exposed to cruel physical treatment and mental violence. It also deals with the question of colaboration, relations between members of different confession and between the convicted and warders. In the end it depicts how the people with religious belief, who were...

Diplomová práce Abstract: Operation "VK" and its process in Želiv Monastery from the perspective of Náboženská matice. Master's thesis presents the fate of Želiv Monastery in 1950s caused by operation code named "VK" (monasteries deportation). Operation's purpose was to terminally prevent formation of economical and above all, cultural influence of Roman Catholic Church in recently founded Socialist country. According to unmapped documents from Náboženská matice's archive which is currently placed in National Archive in Prague, I would like to present means in which the communist regime handled monastery property, belongings and people which were interned as prisoners in the monastery. The goal of this thesis is to present profound consequences of monastery abolition using Church archive with roots of legal personality going back to reign of Joseph II. Keywords: Operation "VK", Želiv Monastery, Náboženská matice, Communism, Roman Catholic Church, Internment, Property seizure, "Church Six" Communist Party Central Committee

The Life and Work of Vlasta Fialová, actress of Brno This master's thesis is to bring closer the life and work of one of the most prominent Czech artists of the 20th century. The actress, who wrote herself into the history of film, television productions and radio, but especially the theater that was everything for her. The work is trying to capture her life and career, she has been able to build for a long, active fifty-year period, only in three Moravian cities: Opava, Olomouc and Brno. The work maintains a line beginning in the period before her birth, focuses on the cultural and historical events of the Brno metropolis, the beginning of her life, the years of childhood and adolescence, which she experienced as a student of a grammar school and a musical drama department of the Brno Conservatory during the Nazi occupation of her hometown. And then emphasis is placed on her individual theatrical engagements, as well as on the films and TV productions in which she performed, and the programs recorded for the radio. It also presents a certain reflection and characteristic of the characters and the acting art of this unique actress, whether it is a stage character or a silver screen. From those she created as a fresh and very talented graduate of the Conservatoire, through very handsome women with...

This diploma thesis follows history of camp in Hodonín Nera Kunštát during its existence since late 1930's until nowadays. The work describes changes in use of the camp in context of political regime's changes during the reviewed period. Examination will be subjected not only to the repressive role of the facility, but also to its post-war recreational function and, last but not least, to the current educational mission. The work will be compiled in chronological order using the method of comparison of individual stages of camp use. In certain aspects the issue of camp use will be analysed through perspective of its diverse subjects, in addition to its various stages. The work will be divided into trhee parts, namely the use of the camp as a tool of the state policy punishing, the recreational function and the so-called second life of the camp, that is to say, the period following the recreational educational function of the camp. In this part of the thesis, medial and political messages will be analyzed as a necessary evidence illustrating the complex path of transformation of the Hodonín grounds from the camp to the center of collective memory.

The United States engagement in Vietnam began during the Second World War. With military bases established in China, the U.S. took part in fighting the Japanese troops in the Pacific theatre. When France surrendered to Nazi Germany in 1940, Japan would take over the French Indochina and the war would spread to Vietnam as well. In order to collect intelligence on Japanese targets, the Americans needed to operate secret services on the ground. After the Japanese coup de main in 1945, they would eventually partner with Ho Chi Minh and his organization Viet Minh. The Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the wartime predecessor of the CIA, provided intelligence training and equipment, while the Viet Minh would assist with valuable information on Japanese troops. To some extent, the OSS helped Ho Chi Minh and Viet Minh accede to power in Vietnam after the war.