Elites in the city come and go - the years 1918 - 1948

People who were born in Trenčín in the beginning of the 20^th century were to face a life full of dramatic changes. Throughout the history Slovakia has been part of the Austria-Hungarian monarchy, the Czechoslovak Republic, the Republic of Slovakia, Czechoslovak Socialistic Republic, Czechoslovak Federative Republic, and the Slovak Republic. Although names and ideological „-isms“ changed, people would still remain the same. Important historical milestones in the creation of city elites in the first half of the 20th century were the years 1918 (end of the first world war) with the coming of the representatives of the Czechoslovak state power, and 1939 (second world war and the rise of the independent Slovak state) banning the existence of guilds and democratic political parties with the onset of the Deutsche Partei and the Hlinka's party, together with the exodus of the city’s high class composed of Czech public officers (officers and teachers), Jews, and "not enough active" Slovaks who were known for their pro-Czechoslovak orientation. And, of course, it was the year 1948 (rise of the Communists' dominance) with no stone left upon stone. There was no single elite that would preserve its rank – thus began the sad era of the communist cleansing and class struggle with the enemy.