Karel Kramar Czech politician Date of Birth: 27.12.1860 Country: Czech

1. Early Life and Education
2. Political Career in Austria-Hungary
3. First World War and Imprisonment
4. Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia
5. Russian and Diplomatic Involvement

Early Life and Education

František Kramář, a Czech political figure, was born into a wealthy family in Prague in 1860. He pursued legal studies at the universities of Berlin, Strasbourg, and Prague, graduating with a doctorate in law in 1886.

Political Career in Austria-Hungary

Kramář began his political career in 1889 when he founded the Czech weekly newspaper "Čas." He was elected as a candidate of the Young Czech Party to the Reichsrat in 1891, later becoming a member of the Czech Landtag in 1894.

As a rising star in the Young Czech Party, Kramář was elected vice-president of the Austrian Chamber of Deputies (1897-1898) and remained a member of the Austrian delegation. He gained notoriety for his opposition to Austrian involvement in the anti-Russian Triple Alliance, publishing the influential article "L'avenir de l'Autriche" in 1889.

Kramář's political writings extended beyond Austria-Hungary to include analysis of Russia, particularly its monetary and constitutional reforms. He advocated for cooperation between the Czech national movement and the Austro-Hungarian government, supporting a federalist policy within multinational states.

First World War and Imprisonment

Kramář's pro-Russian and pan-Slavist views made him a target during World War I. In 1914, he was arrested by Austrian authorities, charged with treason, and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. However, his imprisonment sparked widespread opposition among Czech politicians, leading to his release by Emperor Karl I in 1917.

Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia

Upon the establishment of Czechoslovakia in 1918, Kramář became its first Prime Minister. Despite his initial reluctance and differing political ideologies with President Tomáš Masaryk, Kramář led the delegation that signed the Treaty of Versailles. However, he resigned shortly after, prompted by Foreign Minister Edvard Beneš's refusal to support the White Army in Russia.

Russian and Diplomatic Involvement

Kramář was a staunch supporter of the White Army, maintaining close ties with General Anton Denikin. He played a significant role in supporting Russian émigrés in Czechoslovakia and published several works on the Russian crisis.

In his later years, Kramář's National Democratic Party held marginal political influence. His political views shifted towards fascism, and he died in 1937, just before the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia. Kramář's grave lies alongside his wife in the crypt of the Orthodox Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Olšany Cemetery.