The Velvet Revolution (also called the Velvet Divorce) was the peaceful split of Czechoslovakia into the two independent countries of the Czech Republic and Slovkia in 1993.
Timeline of Events
1989-A very large, peaceful protest takes place Prague, this is the largest of many that took place around Czechoslovakia in 1989
1990-After years of Communist control, a non-communist government is put in place to rule Czechoslovakia. The first democratic elections since 1946 take place.
1992-There is racial tension between the Czechs and Slovaks. No major violence occurs, but the Slovaks press to have the largely Slovak area of the country become and independent nation. Mediations Take Place and an agreement is reached
1993-On January 1 Czechoslovakia officially became the two independent countries of the Czech Republic and Slovakia
Immediately following the Velvet Revolution the Czech Republic started implementing an agressive westernization strategy. This included westernizing the fleet of the state run CSA Czech Airlines, having CSA Czech Airlines join the Skyteam Airline Alliance and the Czech Republic joining the European Union in 2004. Their hardwork has paid off. The Czech Republic is now westernized with virtually all people under 50 speaking English and they now hold the rotating presidency of the European Union. The Czech Republic truly is a success story!
This ad appeared for Levi jeans in the 1990s. It is a great way to show the diference 16 years have had on the Czech Republic. For the record, now you can't trade jeans for a car in Prague, or anywhere else in the Czech Republic. This ad shows that just a short time ago the Czech Republic was a developing, struggling country. Today, the Czech Republic is a far different world from the Czech Republic in this ad. Now the Czech Republic has progressed to be developed, prosperous and westernized. It ranks 32 on the Human Development Index.
Please Note: This website was made for a school project called Tyromaynia. All information is believed to be true by the author, but may or may not be accurate. © 2009 Nickie Mitch