The Truth Shall Prevail. Office for Prevention of Usury as an Instrument against Black Market Activities and Corruption in the First Czechoslovak Republic (1918–1938)

Abstract

Black market, smuggling, rackets, various illegal practices by fraudulent businesspersons increased among the population together with the growing economic problems of the collapsing supply system. This happened not only in times of war, but also after the war had ended. Practices of illegal enrichment were spreading, but also, at the same time, they were distinct strategies of survival.

This study presents an analysis of usury and corruption in the Czechoslovak Republic that was founded as consequence of the Habsburg monarchy’s collapse in 1918. After many centuries of being a part of Hungary, Slovakia joined the new Czechoslovak state. Our study focusses on the fight of the Czechoslovak state organs against usurers and corruption. In the centre of our focus are the activities of a state institution referred to as Office for Prevention of Usury (Úrad pre znemožnenie úžery), located in Bratislava, the Slovak capital. We illustrate the fight of the state controlleurs against the illegal activities of individuals occupied with trade, supplies and goods. Our analysis focusses in the inspectors’ work, and we present the most widespread criminal activities virulent in those early years of the Czechoslovak Republic. Through the eyes of the Office, we explain usury and corruption in citizens’ daily lives after the First World War.