Andrej Hlinka

Andrej Hlinka 1937

Andrej Hlinka
Born	27 September 1864 Černová, Kingdom of Hungary
Died	16 August 1938 Ružomberok, Czechoslovakia
Nationality	Slovak
Occupation	Catholic priest, politician
Known for	Founding the Slovak People's Party

Andrej Hlinka (27 September 1864 – 16 August 1938) was a prominent Slovak Catholic priest and politician. He is best known for founding the Slovak People's Party and for his significant role in the Slovak national movement during the early 20th century.

Early Life

Andrej Hlinka was born in Černová, a village in the Kingdom of Hungary, which is now part of Slovakia. He was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1889 and began his pastoral work in the region.

Political Career

Hlinka was a fervent advocate for Slovak autonomy within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In 1905, he founded the Slovak People's Party, which later became known as the Hlinka's Slovak People's Party. The party aimed to promote Slovak national rights and Catholic values.

Role in Czechoslovakia

After the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, Hlinka continued his political activities in the newly formed Czechoslovakia. He was a vocal critic of the centralist policies of the Czechoslovak government and advocated for greater autonomy for Slovakia.

Legacy

Andrej Hlinka is remembered as a key figure in the Slovak national movement. His efforts laid the groundwork for the eventual establishment of the Slovak Republic in 1939. Several institutions and places in Slovakia are named in his honor, reflecting his lasting impact on Slovak history.

See Also

• Slovak People's Party
• Hlinka's Slovak People's Party
• Slovak national movement
• Czechoslovakia