Czechoslovak Nationalism emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a movement advocating for the independence and unity of the Czech and Slovak peoples. It sought to promote their cultural identity, language, and history, particularly in response to the dominance of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The movement gained momentum during World War I, leading to the establishment of an independent Czechoslovakia in 1918. Key figures, such as Tomáš Masaryk and Edvard Beneš, played significant roles in promoting national unity and democratic governance, shaping the country's identity in the interwar period.