Szlovákok

Szlovákok refers to the Slovak people, an ethnic group and nation native to Slovakia. They speak the Slovak language, which belongs to the West Slavic branch of the Slavic language family. Historically, Slovaks inhabited the northern territories of the Kingdom of Hungary, which later became Czechoslovakia and then the independent Slovak Republic. Their cultural identity is deeply rooted in their language, traditions, folklore, and religious heritage, predominantly Roman Catholicism.

The development of a distinct Slovak national consciousness accelerated in the 18th and 19th centuries, influenced by Enlightenment ideals and the Romantic era. Prominent figures like Anton Bernolák and Ľudovít Štúr played crucial roles in codifying the Slovak language and fostering national sentiment. Despite periods of political subjugation and assimilation pressures, the Slovak identity persisted.

Following the dissolution of Austria-Hungary after World War I, Slovaks co-founded Czechoslovakia with the Czechs. After World War II, Czechoslovakia experienced communist rule until the Velvet Revolution in 1989. In 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully separated, leading to the establishment of the independent Slovak Republic, where Slovaks form the majority ethnic group. Today, Slovaks are spread across Slovakia and in significant diaspora communities, particularly in the Czech Republic, the United States, Canada, and Hungary.