The influence of the 1917 October Revolution and the activities of the Comintern on the views and methodological approaches of Polish and Czech historians of the interwar period (on the example of the works of Julian Marchlewski, Zdeněk Nejedlý, Jan Šverma)

Abstract

The article examines the personalities, destinies and methodological approaches of historians from Poland and Czechoslovakia of the interwar period. Based on the analysis of biographies of scientists and methodological approaches in the historiographical works of Julian Marchlewski, Zdeněk Nejedlý and Jan Šverma the author traces the relationship of these approaches to the socio-political realities of the period under study.

In 1918, independent States of Poland and Czechoslovakia appeared on the world map. Their appearance coincided with a difficult period of the intense socio-political events of the period. The severe consequences of the First World War, a series of revolutions – all that had a huge impact on the mentality of the Europeans. They were looking for new guidelines, new meanings and in the newly formed independent, Republic of Poland and Czechoslovakia, among others, such guidelines were Communist ideas.

Socio-political events of 1910–1920s. caused a deep reflection, the need to rethink and search for new approaches to understanding the events of the past. The October revolution and the activities of the Comintern had a significant impact on the social, political and historical life in the Republic of Poland and Czechoslovakia.