Constitutions and Constitution-making during the Communist Government Constitutional Development in Czechoslovakia in the 1950s

Abstract

The article discusses the development of constitutional law in Czechoslovakia during the 1950s. It briefly summarizes the most significant events that preceded this period and had the greatest impact on constitutional changes at the time. The most notable change of this period was the adoption of the “Ninth-of-May Constitution,” which laid the foundation for the implemented reforms. Given the importance of this document, the article describes the circumstances of its creation, including a competing constitutional draft. Special attention is paid to the constitution's content and the additional legislation that supplemented and amended it. In connection with this legislation, the article provides examples demonstrating that constitutional guarantees of the separation of powers and fundamental human rights were violated and subordinated to the totalitarian regime led by the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia.