Vojtech Tuka: Slovak Prime Minister Behind the Deportation of 58,000 Jews

Vojtech Tuka was one of the most influential and dangerous figures of the wartime Slovak State—a politician whose ambition, ideology, and loyalty to Nazi Germany helped pave the way for the destruction of Slovakia’s Jewish community. His rise began long before World War II, shaped by radical nationalism, clerical fascism, and a fierce desire to break Slovakia away from Czechoslovakia. When Hitler dismantled the Czech lands in March 1939 and allowed the creation of a Nazi-controlled Slovak puppet state, Tuka quickly became one of its most powerful leaders.As Prime Minister and later Foreign Minister, Tuka pushed Slovakia deeper into Nazi orbit. He co-authored the oppressive Jewish Code—one of the harshest anti-Jewish legal systems in Europe—and played a central role in organising the deportation of 58,000 Slovak Jews in 1942. Most were sent to Auschwitz, Majdanek, and Sobibor, where almost all were murdered. Tuka supported these policies not reluctantly, but enthusiastically, framing them as a necessary “renewal” of Slovak society.Even as his health declined, Tuka’s influence continued. His collaboration with Nazi Germany shaped Slovakia’s participation in the invasion of the Soviet Union and its alignment with the Axis. After the war, he was arrested, tried, and sentenced to death for treason and crimes against humanity. His execution in August 1946 ended the life of a man whose decisions contributed directly to the destruction of an entire community.This video explores the rise, rule, and downfall of Vojtech Tuka and the lasting impact of his actions during one of Europe’s darkest eras.This episode is part of the series High Ranking Fascist Collaborators: Politicians.Watch the full documentary and explore hundreds of historical films at:WorldHistory.tv