Political dissenter

pp. 38-48

in: Harald G. Skilling, T. G. Masaryk, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 1994

Abstract

When Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk arrived in Prague in 1882 he knew little about the political situation but soon resolved that he must direct his efforts to the promotion of a new style of politics, which would break with the traditions and habits of the past and espouse new ideas and programmes. What was the proper course to attain this end? In spite of their conservatism, Masaryk at first considered the possibility of joining the Old Czechs, as the long-ascendant National party was called, but when this failed, he turned to the National Liberal party, or Young Czechs, his opponents in earlier literary struggles. After successful negotiations he joined that party and represented it in the Vienna Parliament for three years. But the partnership was marred by discord and was short-lived. With Kaizl and Kramář, he had already formed his own grouping, the Realists, but the young trio soon parted company and went their own separate ways.