Czech political history has been shaped by various influences, starting with the establishment of the Czech state in the 9th century. Over the centuries, it experienced periods of independence and foreign domination, notably under the Austro-Hungarian Empire and later during Nazi occupation in World War II. After the war, Czechoslovakia became a communist state until the peaceful Velvet Revolution in 1989 led to the end of communist rule. In 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully split into two separate nations: the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Since then, the Czech Republic has developed a democratic political system, joining the European Union in 2004. The country has faced various political challenges, including corruption and economic reforms, while maintaining a stable parliamentary democracy.