Specifikke områders historie

This book provides a detailed account of the Czechoslovak-American dispute that arose over monetary gold which was forcibly seized by Nazi Germany in the 1930s. After the Second World War, the Czechoslovak gold was found by the American armed forces in the salt mines in Merkers, Germany. Over the next 37 years, it became a part of complicated Czechoslovak-American relations, international economic trade, and political-ideological disputes and conflicts. Only in February 1982, after extensive diplomatic discussions, was a sufficient portion of the gold returned to the Czechoslovak State Bank in Prague. This book maps the story of this gold, how it was seized, blocked and finally, returned. Tracing the path of the monetary gold from its seizure by Nazi Germany in the 1930s to the last decade of the Cold War, the author outlines the main diplomatic steps taken to resolve the dispute, which framed the shape of bilateral relations between Communist Czechoslovakia and the USA.Offering a new contribution to the hisThis book provides a detailed account of the Czechoslovak-American dispute that arose over monetary gold which was forcibly seized by Nazi Germany in the 1930s. After the Second World War, the Czechoslovak gold was found by the American armed forces in the salt mines in Merkers, Germany. Over the next 37 years, it became a part of complicated Czechoslovak-American relations, international economic trade, and political-ideological disputes and conflicts. Only in February 1982, after extensive diplomatic discussions, was a sufficient portion of the gold returned to the Czechoslovak State Bank in Prague. This book maps the story of this gold, how it was seized, blocked and finally, returned. Tracing the path of the monetary gold from its seizure by Nazi Germany in the 1930s to the last decade of the Cold War, the author outlines the main diplomatic steps taken to resolve the dispute, which framed the shape of bilateral relations between Communist Czechoslovakia and the USA. Offering a new contribution to the history of the Second World War and shedding light on East-West relations during the Cold War period, this book will provide useful reading for those researching modern European history, the Cold War, and international history.

The fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Ottoman armies led by Mehmed II marked a momentous event that had far-reaching repercussions across Renaissance Europe. This event catalyzed the migration of Byzantines to various regions, including Italy, carrying with them the rich heritage of Greek antiquity. Among the figures contributing to the Renaissance was Laonikos Chalkokondyles, whose work held particular significance. His detailed application of Herodotos' historical methods to the fifteenth century, titled "Apodeixis Historion," served as a lens through which he interpreted the rise of the Ottoman Empire in light of ancient history. This work, printed in Latin, French, and Greek, achieved widespread success.Chalkokondyles' historical approach rejuvenated ancient categories such as ethnicity, political governance, language, and geography to provide insight into contemporary events and societies. By restoring these Herodotean concepts, he offered a framework to understand the dynamics of his time. In this endeavor, he markedly diverged from the approaches taken by previous Byzantine historians, demonstrating a departure that can be termed "revolutionary classicizing."This term encapsulates Chalkokondyles' innovative approach to historical interpretation. Instead of adhering to the traditional model of lawful imperial rule, he reintroduced the notion of oriental tyranny when describing the emerging Ottoman state. While his emulation of ancient classics might appear on the surface, his revival of political concepts represented a radical departure from the norm. Notably, he reintroduced the idea of city-states as distinct ethnic units, emphasized freedom as independence from foreign domination, and highlighted law-giving as a core element of Hellenic tradition-a concept not typically extended to the Christian era.Chalkokondyles' work illustrates the complex relationship between historical interpretation and contemporary perspectives. By applying ancient methodologies to his time, he crafted a new understanding of political structures and principles. In essence, his "revolutionary classicizing" approach exemplified how the past could be reimagined and repurposed to comprehend the evolving world, ultimately contributing to the transformative period of the Renaissance.