Edvard Beneš in American Diplomatic Correspondence, 1945–1948

The second president of Czechoslovakia Edvard Beneš was one of the most prominent but ambiguous politicians of the first half of the twentieth century. His name is associated with the Sudeten Crisis and the Munich Agreement of 1938, the struggle for Czechoslovak independence during the Second World War, alliance with Moscow and the communist’s takeover in 1948. The purpose of the article is to look at Beneš in a new way, the perception of him by American diplomats in the last years of his life, during the period of acute internal political struggle in Czechoslovakia and the emerging geopolitical confrontation between Moscow and Washington. The study is based on diplomatic correspondence and papers of the American ambassador to Prague Laurence Steinhardt, which reveal some new aspects of Beneš’ personality, the history of Czechoslovakia, and US foreign policy in 1945-1948. It is concluded that there was a close and frank relationship between the American diplomats and Beneš. The Czechoslovak president had a reputation as a experienced politician, pragmatist, supporter of Western orientation and an opponent of communism. However, his vision of political issues and forecasts of further development often turned out to be erroneous. His support of closer relations with the USSR and radical reforms caused discontent from the US diplomacy. Nevertheless, Beneš was associated with democratic traditions and the desire to maintain good relations with the United States. The embassy hoped that his authority and popularity would help to prevent the Communists from seizing power in Czechoslovakia. The crisis that broke out in February 1948 and the indecisive actions of Beneš came as a surprise to the State Department. They caused misunderstanding and dissatisfaction of Ambassador Steinhardt. American diplomats considered Beneš’ actions to be explained by his poor health and enormous pressure from the communist Prime Minister Klement Gottwald.