Activities of history division in Matica Slovenska from 1945 till the beginning of the 1950s.

The author of the present study tried to investigate the influence of the History Division of Matica slovenska in the years 1945-1950. The research has also shown the influence of published periodicals and books upon the development of historical writing in those years. Special attention has been given to basic starting points and trends in postwar Slovak historiography. The study highlights the role of individual members of the Division - the historians, who are the best and most significant personalities, as well as the scientific projects carried on, activities organized, but also the process which led to the end of the Division among professionals. The development of publication activities, the application of modem scientific procedures, the emphasis put on heuristic methods, methodology of historical science, the establishment of scientific groups of experts under the auspices of the Division represent a significant contribution to the history of Slovak historiography.