On the Nature and Role of Arms Production in Interwar Czechoslovakia1

Abstract

Arms production in interwar Czechoslovakia has been a fascinating subject to research. The development of Czechoslovak weapons production was remarkably interesting as it was influenced by many political, military, and economic factors. The arms industry was obviously a particular branch that, together with arms exports, represented a matter that was also very politically delicate. In the 1930s, the rapid revitalization of the armament industry played an important role in the Czechoslovak economy. The armament boom helped the Czechoslovak economy to achieve better results and improved the situation in many branches of the Czechoslovak industry. However, high defense expenditures represented a rather dangerous phenomenon, with possible negative effects on the Czechoslovak economy in the long run.