The Bund der Landwirte and the Deutsche Christlichsoziale Volkspartei in the Years 1918–1938. – Addition to the History of Political Activism in the First Czechoslovak Republic
During its short existence, Czechoslovakia in the interwar period was characterized by a range of standard political parties, including not only right-wing, centre, and left-wing parties, but also political platforms set up on a national basis. The Bund der Landwirte (BdL) was the strongest civic party defending the interests of the Germans in Czechoslovakia during the entire existence of the First Czechoslovak Republic. The BdL was a leading promoter of German activism. About two and a half years after the war, it became apparent that cooperation was better than pursuing opposition policies against the Czechoslovak government, at least in the economic field. Representatives of the Deutsche christlichsoziale Volkspartei (DCV) also held a dialogue with Czechoslovak politicians, but the party´s departure from the government resulted in its gradual radicalization. The establishment and dominance of the Sudetendeutsche Partei (SdP) in the 1935 elections meant the fall of both activist parties.