Breakup of Czechoslovakia

During 1990–92, several disputes arose between Czech and Slovak leaders. Chief among these concerned the pace at which the Czechoslovak economy would be transformed into one based on private enterprise. Czech leaders favored measures that would bring about a swift transition. Leaders in Slovakia feared that a rapid transition would harm the economy of their region and favored measures that would bring about a slower transformation.

Also during this period leaders in Slovakia began demanding more autonomy for their region. Nationalist sentiment in Slovakia soon intensified and Slovak leaders advocated the breakup of the country and the creation of an independent Slovakia. President Havel championed a unified state but failed to get reelected in June, 1992. Although his term of office did not expire until October, Havel resigned as president in July. In August, leaders from the Czech lands (Bohemia and Moravia) and Slovakia agreed to dissolve the federation of the Czech and Slovak republics. In 1993 this agreement became effective, ending the existence of Czechoslovakia.