The Construction of National Identities in the Northern Bohemian Borderland, 1848–71

Abstract

It was in 1855 that there appeared the first detailed ethnographic map of the Habsburg Monarchy. Based on a systematic investigation by Karl Freiherr von Czoernig, head of the Austrian bureau of administrative statistics in Vienna, it seemed to show a precise division between the nationalities of the Empire. Visually, the divide was accentuated through the colours used on the map. Northern Bohemia was clearly dominated by ‘Germans’. They were coloured in red, sharply distinguishing them from ‘Czechs’, coloured in yellow, who seemed to cover most of the territory of the crownland.^l The map was based largely on linguistic data meticulously gathered by Czoernig just before the 1848 revolutions. Yet, its precision was deceptive if language and local culture were taken as synonymous with ‘nationality’. For national allegiance or consciousness was a fluid concept in the late 1840s, and only by the 1870s might it be argued that Czoernig’s map illustrated more accurately the Czech-German national picture across northern Bohemia. The intervening period was a crucial one in offering a range of ‘national’ paths which both Czech and German-speakers might follow. These paths were influenced by revolt and constitutional upheaval both inside and outside the Habsburg Monarchy.

The research for this article was made possible through an award from the British Academy. I would particularly like to thank Dr Václav Kříček of the Krajská vědecká knihovna in Liberec for his help in locating sources.