Ivo D. Duchacek papers, 1939-1988

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Summary

Creators:
Duchacek, Ivo D., 1913-1988
Abstract:
Radio broadcast recordings and transcripts, writings, diaries, dispatches, correspondence, and printed matter, relating to Czechoslovakia during World War II, wartime diplomacy, Soviet annexation of Ruthenia in 1945, the communist coup of 1948, and American broadcasting to Czechoslovakia.
Extent:
25 manuscript boxes, 7 phonotape cassettes (10.8 Linear Feet)
Language:
In Czech and English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Ivo D. Duchacek Papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The Ivo Duchacek papers were donated to the Hoover Institution Library & Archives by Ivo Duchacek himself over a period of several years. The first installment, consisting of typewritten transcripts of his broadcasts on Voice of America and of cassettes of voice rehearsals of broadcasts, arrived in 1984. Duchacek's diaries covering the years 1939-1945 were accessioned in 1985, and additional radio broadcast transcripts were added to the collection in the years 1986 to 1988.

The bulk of the collection consists of Ivo Duchacek's speeches and writings and his radio broadcasts, mostly on Voice of America. For 39 years until his death, Duchacek delivered a weekly commentary over Voice of America, broadcast to Czechoslovakia under the pen name Martin Cermak. From 1949 to 1988, "The Sunday Notebook," as it was called, offered analyses of important world developments, evaluated American domestic and international policies, and in an informal and witty style interpreted life in the United States. At the same time, Duchacek's commentaries examined Czechoslovak history and conditions under Soviet domination, and with scathing criticism and sarcasm uncovered the true face of the Stalinist doctrine and practices (see his parody of the Slansky and Gottwald trials in the radio broadcasts file).

Of significant importance in the speeches and writings file are Duchacek's memoirs based on his political diaries kept throughout World War II, in which he exercised his intimite knowledge of the political scene and developments in Central Europe before and during the war (see, "In the Funnel of Two Tornadoes: The Nazi and Soviet Captures of the Heart of Europe. Political Diaries"). Equally important are his writings on the communist coup (see, "The Strategy of Communist Infiltration: Czechoslovakia, 1944-1948. The February Coup in Czechoslovakia") and the annexation of Ruthenia (see, "Soviet Annexation of Ruthenia: A Lesson in Soviet Browbeat Politics").

Also of great importance are documents in the government service file relating to the Soviet annexation of Ruthenia, and Duchacek's internal reports of discussions with foreign diplomats, agents, and journalists.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1913 February 27
Born, Prostejov, Czechoslovakia
1936-1939
Correspondent for Lidove noviny in Paris
1939-1945
Diplomatic officer, Government in Exile, London
1940-1944
Broadcast weekly commentaries on BBC to German-occupied Czechoslovakia
1941-1945
Chef de cabinet to the deputy minister of foreign affairs, Hubert Ripka
1945
Returned to Czechoslovakia as a liaison officer with General Patton's third army
1945-1948
Leader of the Czechoslovak People's Party, Member of the Czechoslovak Parliament, and chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly
Chief-editor and co-founder (with Pavel Tigrid) of Obzory
1948 February
Dismissed from the Czechoslovak People's Party, and after the Coup d'Etat emigrated to Great Britain, and later to the United States
1948-1953
Professor of political science, Yale University
1949-1954
Editor-in-chief, Czechoslovak Service, Voice of America, New York
1949 October 30 - 1988
Broadcast weekly political commentaries, known as "Zapisnik," on Voice of America, under the name of Martin Cermak
1951-1953
Research Consultant on the Yale Human Resources Project, sponsored by the U.S. Army
1954-1980
Professor of political science, The City College of the City University of New York
1955-1956
Broadcast commentaries on international politics on Radio Free Europe
1981-1984
Member, Executive Committee, Center for European Studies, the City University of New York
1984 spring
Visiting scholar, Institute of Governmental Studies, University of California, Berkeley
1988 March 1
Died, Kent, Connecticut
Acquisition information:
Acquired.
Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Ivo D. Duchacek Papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563
hooverarchives@stanford.edu
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