In general, Europeans have known far more strife and adversity over the years compared to Americans. These experiences have had a significant influence in shaping people groups and their mentalities/beliefs. Slovakians are no different. They have endured hundreds of years of tumultuous change including being forced against their will to comply with certain beliefs/lifestyles they neither asked for nor wanted. Two recent examples include: the Hungarians who oppressed the Slovaks only 125 years ago and of course the communists beginning shortly after WWII. The ripple effects of these experiences have had powerful implications right into the present day.