Military, political, and social implications of the legionnaires repatriation to the First Czechoslovak Republic

Importance. The relevance of the research lies in the study of military, political and social aspects of the legionnaires’ repatriation to their homeland. Their involvement in territorial conflicts with Hungary and Poland, integration into a peaceful society after a long absence from home – this experience will be useful for Russia. In the context of an ongoing special military operation, the adapting process of its participants to civil society is extremely important. Solving their social and economic problems with an eye to the First Czechoslovak Republic experience will avoid mistakes. The purpose of the study is to study certain aspects of the legionnaires’ return to the First Czechoslovak Republic, to analyze the Czech legionnaire legislation, to take into account the negative experience of the Czech government in solving their problems. The results obtained can be applied to participants, disabled people and veterans of special military operation.

Materials and Methods. Materials from the Digital Library of the Czech Ministry of Defense are used in the study. In order to achieve the goals of the study, a historical and systematic approach is employed.

Results and Discussion. Even before returning home, the legion members took their place in the national mythologies of the newly formed state as fighters for independence, as well as continuing the Hussite traditions of Jan Hus, Jan Žižka, and Prokop the Great. The Czechoslovak government developed and enacted legislation aimed at recognizing legion members, providing them with certain benefits when applying for positions in government agencies, businesses, the police, and the gendarmerie. Through these laws, the government paid tribute to the legion’s contributions while also reducing tensions within the legion community. However, some of these laws are not implemented in practice, and they are later repealed in 1924 due to economic difficulties. Once in a different environment than that of Russia, the legions lost the unity and cohesiveness that had been fostered by external factors in Russia.

Conclusion. Arriving at their homeland, Czechoslovak legionnaires received honor and recognition from the state, in the form of various privileges, positions in society, and the state’s support. In the future, they will occupy an important place in the military organization and socio-political life of the First Czechoslovak Republic.

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