Frankofilství a česká identita (1848–1914)

At the time of the Habsburg monarchy, Czechs began to view France as their potential ally, a political model worth following, a cultural model as well as a mediator of their integration into Western Europe. Francophilia widely permeated Czech patriotism, which was a unique phenomenon in the mid-19th century Europe, and as such was not a mere demonstration of social snobbery. Through Francophilia, the Czechs faced Germanisation, expressed their passive resistance to Vienna, used it in political battles between political parties and held it as a mirror to themselves for self-criticism. Those were the ways Francophilia contributed to building the national identity. At the same time, it laid foundations of Czech-French friendship and assisted in the proclamation of independence. This work by Stéphan Reznikow devoted to the role of Francophilia during forming modern European culture is so far the most detailed guide to the history of the relationship of the Czech nation to France in the period of 1848-1914.