BENEе?OV Edward (Benes Edvard)

(1884-1948)
Born May 28, 1884 in Kozhlanah (Bohemia). He was educated at the Prague University, the Sorbonne, the School of Political Sciences in Paris, the universities of Dijon and Berlin. Before World War II taught at the Commercial Academy in Prague, became a professor of Sociology University of Prague. In 1914-1915 Benes as a disciple and follower of T. Masaryk, who later became the first president of Czechoslovakia, took part in the organization of the underground resistance movement. Joined Masaryk in Paris, becoming secretary of the Czechoslovak National Council. Between September 1918 and before being elected president of Czechoslovakia (1935) Benes held the posts of Minister of Foreign Affairs, 1921-1922 - Prime Minister.
Benes - one of the founders of the Little Entente, by the Geneva Protocol of 1924, was a member of the governing bodies of the League of Nations. He became president of Czechoslovakia after the resignation of Masaryk. October 5, 1938 - after the entry into force of the Munich Agreement of September 28 and the occupation of the Sudetenland by Germany - was forced to leave the presidency. He emigrated to the United States, in 1939 he taught at the University of Chicago. July 21, 1940 organized a provisional government (National Council) in London, the Allies recognized successor government First Czechoslovak Republic.

March 9, 1945, after the liberation by Soviet troops, the Czechoslovak government in exile flew from London to Moscow, where on March 18 he was joined by Benes. Held jointly with representatives of the liberated areas of Czechoslovakia Conference on Government Reorganization. April 1 Benes left Moscow in Kosice, where he was invited to lead the government. In Kosice, welcomed his new Prime Minister, the representative of the Left Z. Fierlinger. May 16, after more than 5-year absence, Benes and his Cabinet, returned to Prague. In the general election in May 1946 the Communists received 38% of votes. June 19 Constituent National Assembly was elected President Benes, and A. Communist Zapotocky - Speaker. 3 July 1946 the Prime Minister became a Communist K. Gottwald.

In mid-February 1948 the communist leaders, headed by Gottwald demanded the formation of new government. February 25, 1948 Benes said he would act in the name of saving the country and in order to prevent bloodshed.

May 9, 1948 under the control of the Communist Parliament adopted a new constitution, the elections on May 30 was elected to parliament, where the majority of seats were the Communists. June 7, 1948 Benes resigned without signing the text of the constitution. Died Benes in Sezimovo ц stцґ (90 km south of Prague) 3 September 1948.