The Velvet Divorce peacefully separated Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993, following the Velvet Revolution of 1989. The two populations had cultural and economic differences, with the Czechs having a higher GDP. The split was negotiated by politicians and became official with the 1992 Declaration of Independence of the Slovak nation. Despite some difficulties, both countries have remained on peaceful terms and joined the EU in 2004.
The Velvet Divorce is the name given to the dissolution of Czechoslovakia into two separate countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, which took effect on January 1, 1993. The name Velvet Divorce refers to the Velvet Revolution of 1989, which led to the end of the communist regime. government in Czechoslovakia.
Velvet in both cases indicates the tranquility of events, in contrast to the violent revolutions and secessions elsewhere in the former Soviet Union. Throughout its history, Czechoslovakia had suffered from a culture clash between the Czech and Slovak populations and the Velvet Divorce was a peaceful transition into two independent countries.
Czechoslovakia was founded in 1918 after the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. While Czechs and Slovaks had much in common, such as a similar language and a history of oppression – Czechs under the Austrians and Slovaks under the Hungarians – they also had significant cultural and economic differences. However, they voluntarily united as one country.
Czechoslovakia was occupied by the Soviet Union after World War II. Initially, they were two separate territories – the Czech Socialist Republic and the Slovak Socialist Republic – but the two were later merged into the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. The Velvet Revolution ended communism in Czechoslovakia, and democratic elections were held in that country in June 1990 for the first time in over 40 years.
After Czechoslovakia became capitalist, problems began to emerge between the country’s two main populations. In the Czech countries, gross domestic product (GDP) was 20% higher per capita than in Slovakia, although its long-term growth was slower. Under communism, Czech money had been regularly transferred to Slovakia, but in 1991 this practice ended.
Although the Velvet Divorce did not have widespread public support, politicians successfully negotiated the split. Both Czechs and Slovaks were divided on the issue, although the Slovaks showed slightly more support. Some argued for a loose association rather than a complete breakup. The velvet divorce became official with the 1992 Declaration of Independence of the Slovak nation. After its passage on July 17, politicians continued to negotiate a smooth dissolution.
The Velvet Divorce was one of the more peaceful shifts in political boundaries in the aftermath of Soviet Communism. Although the Czech Republic and Slovakia still had some difficulties to resolve after the velvet divorce, including the division of the former federal property, they have remained on peaceful terms with each other throughout. Both countries became members of the European Union in 2004.
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