Faculty of Philosphy and Arts Charles University, Prague 1945-1953

This Bachelor's thesis examines the situation at the Faculty of Philosophy and Arts, Charles University, Czechoslovakia, in the aftermath of World War II, specifically during the tumultuous period from 1945 to 1953. It outlines the difficulties the University faced in the early post-war years in trying to cope with large numbers of students who had been unable to complete their studies due to the war, and who now wished to enroll. It also describes key events that intimately affected the University, such as the 600th anniversary of the founding of the University and the "Victorious February" of 1948, which decidedly changed the University's traditions. The thesis outlines the gradual change and ideological transformation of the University following the Communist takeover of February 1948. I illustrate societal and university developments during the period using the example of Professor Václav Čern, who served as a faculty member since the 1930s until his expulsion, on ideological grounds, in 1951. Many other faculty members, as well as students and staff, were forced to leave the University following ideologically driven inspections. Consequently, the Faculty and the entire University assumed an entirely new role in society. This was formalized with the adoption of a new law on higher education of 18 May..