# Ministry of National Defence

> Czechoslovakia government ministry responsible for military and national defense matters

**Wikidata**: [Q101552106](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q101552106)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ministry-of-national-defence-q101552106

## Summary
The Ministry of National Defence was the Czechoslovakia government ministry responsible for overseeing military and national defense matters, established on December 18, 1918. It functioned as both a governmental department and a publishing house, playing a dual role in defense administration and information dissemination. The ministry operated under the First Czechoslovak Republic and later Czechoslovakia until 1989.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: December 18, 1918, as documented by the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic.
- **Country**: First Czechoslovak Republic and Czechoslovakia.
- **Preceded by**: Q130323817 (entity identifier for predecessor organization).
- **VIAF ID**: 137691701.
- **Short Name**: MNO (Ministerstvo národní obrany).
- **Classification**: Instance of both a "ministry" and a "publishing house."
- **NL CR AUT ID**: ko2004264013, qualifier: "Československo. Ministerstvo národní obrany."
- **Wikidata Description**: "Czechoslovakia government ministry responsible for military and national defense matters."

## FAQs
**When was the Ministry of National Defence established?**  
The ministry was founded on December 18, 1918, as recorded by the Czech Republic's Ministry of Defence historical records.

**What dual role did the ministry serve?**  
It functioned as both a governmental defense ministry and a publishing house, reflecting its unique operational scope in Czechoslovakia.

**What identifiers are associated with the ministry?**  
Key identifiers include VIAF ID 137691701 and NL CR AUT ID ko2004264013, with the latter specifying its full Czechoslovak name.

**What historical context defines its existence?**  
The ministry operated from 1918 to 1989, spanning the First Czechoslovak Republic and the later Czechoslovak state, before the country's dissolution.

**Why is it classified as a publishing house?**  
The ministry's classification as a publishing house indicates its involvement in producing and distributing official materials, alongside its primary defense responsibilities.

## Why It Matters
The Ministry of National Defence was central to Czechoslovakia's military and security framework for over seven decades, ensuring national defense while also serving as a state publisher. Its dual role underscores its significance in both governance and information dissemination, reflecting the integration of military and civilian administrative functions in 20th-century Czechoslovakia. The ministry's historical span—from the country's founding to its dissolution—positions it as a key institution in understanding Czechoslovak statehood and Cold War-era defense strategies.

## Notable For
- Operating as both a defense ministry and a publishing house, a unique combination of roles.
- Existing from 1918 to 1989, covering critical periods in Czechoslovak history, including the interwar era and the Cold War.
- Holding specific identifiers such as VIAF ID 137691701 and NL CR AUT ID ko2004264013, which distinguish it in archival and bibliographic records.
- Being directly linked to the historical Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic through documented inception references.

## Body
### History and Establishment
The Ministry of National Defence was established on December 18, 1918, as part of the nascent Czechoslovak state following World War I. It succeeded the entity Q130323817, transitioning into a formal governmental department under the First Czechoslovak Republic. The ministry's founding is documented by the Czech Republic's Ministry of Defence, which cites its role in early defense organization.

### Dual Classification
Uniquely, the ministry was classified as both a "ministry" and a "publishing house." This dual designation reflects its responsibilities in managing national defense while also producing and distributing official publications, a common practice in state-controlled information systems of the 20th century. Its publishing activities were integral to disseminating military protocols, governmental decrees, and public information materials.

### Identifiers and Documentation
The ministry is associated with several key identifiers:
- **VIAF ID**: 137691701, linking it to global library and archival networks.
- **NL CR AUT ID**: ko2004264013, with the qualifier "Československo. Ministerstvo národní obrany," specifying its full name in Czech.
- **Wikidata Entry**: Described as "Czechoslovakia government ministry responsible for military and national defense matters," emphasizing its primary function.

### Operational Context
Operating under the First Czechoslovak Republic and later Czechoslovakia, the ministry played a pivotal role in defense strategy through 1989. Its short name, **MNO** (Ministerstvo národní obrany), was widely recognized in official and public contexts. The ministry's historical scope aligns with the broader political and military developments of Czechoslovakia, including its alliances, conflicts, and eventual dissolution.

### Legacy and Dissolution
The ministry's operations concluded in 1989, coinciding with the end of the Cold War and the subsequent dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993. Its legacy is preserved through archival records, including its VIAF and NL CR AUT identifiers, ensuring its recognition in historical and bibliographic contexts. The ministry's dual role as a defense and publishing entity remains a distinctive feature of Czechoslovak administrative history.

## References

1. [Source](https://mocr.army.cz/ministr-a-ministerstvo/historie/ministerstvo-obrany-1918-1989-5316/)