Jan Nepomuk Schwarzenberg (1860-1938). His Life and Reign

This thesis focuses on the personality of Jan Nepomuk II. Schwarzenberg (1860-1938) and his activities in the economic, social, and political context of the Czech lands at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The aim of this thesis is to provide a comprehensive picture of his life and activities, with particular emphasis on the administration of the Schwarzenberg estates and the changes in the position of the nobility during a period of fundamental political change. Particular attention is paid to the period after the establishment of Czechoslovakia and the impact of land reform on the Schwarzenberg family's economic activities. The thesis follows the life of Jan Nepomuk II. from his family background and upbringing through his assumption of responsibility for the family estate to his public and political opinions. Emphasis is placed on the practical aspects of estate management, decision-making, and relations with employees and state institutions. The text also addresses the issues of identity, loyalty to the state, and reactions to changes in the political system after 1918. Methodologically, the thesis is based primarily on archival sources, in particular documents from the Schwarzenberg Family Archive stored in the State Regional Archive in Třeboň, Český Krumlov branch. It uses the method...