Czechoslovakia

• What was Czechoslovakia considered since 1948?


  A 'model satellite'
• Why was Czechoslovakia seen as a 'model satellite'?

  It had a better standard of living than other satellite states and was obedient to the Soviet Union
• What led to the growth of opposition to Soviet control in Czechoslovakia during the 1960s?

  Multiple factors, including economic decline and political repression
• Who was the Czech leader from 1957 until 1968?

  Antonin Novotny
• Why was Antonin Novotny unpopular?

  He was a hard-line communist who refused to introduce reforms
• What was Novotny's stance on Khrushchev's policy of de-Stalinisation?


  He was slow to follow it and slow to release political prisoners jailed under Stalin
• What economic issue did Czechoslovakia face in the 1960s?

  A serious economic decline
• How did the Soviet Union affect Czechoslovakia's economy?

  It forced Czechoslovakia to produce materials for the Soviet economy and restricted consumer goods production
• What was the outcome of Novotny's New Economic Model introduced after 1965?

  It was unsuccessful and produced a surplus of consumer goods that few could afford
• What did the failure of economic reform lead to in Czechoslovakia?

  Increased demands for greater democracy
• Who were some of the reformers that challenged Novotny's leadership in 1967?

  Alexander Dubcek and Ota Sik
• What was Brezhnev's reaction to the opposition against Novotny?


  He was surprised and withheld support for Novotny
• When was Novotny replaced as First Secretary of the Communist Party?

  5 January 1968
• Who replaced Novotny as President of Czechoslovakia?

  General Ludvik Svoboda
• What was significant about Ludvik Svoboda's name?

  It means 'freedom' in Czech
• What was Alexander Dubcek's birth date?

  27 November 1921
• What was Dubcek's role during the Second World War?

  He was a communist guerrilla opposing the Nazi occupation
• How did Dubcek's views change after 1964?


  He increasingly supported capitalist economic views and private enterprise
• What was the 'Prague Spring'?

  A series of reforms introduced by Dubcek in spring 1968
• What were the main reforms of the Prague Spring?

  • Greater political freedom and free speech
  • A 10-year program for political change
  • Reduction of secret police powers
  • Removal of travel restrictions
  • Creation of works councils for workforce representation
• What was the public reaction to Dubcek's reforms?

  It encouraged opponents of communism and led to demands for more radical reforms
• What was the title of the manifesto published by Ludvik Vaculik?

  The Two Thousand Words
• Why was the Soviet Union concerned about the changes in Czechoslovakia?

  They feared Czechoslovakia might leave the Warsaw Pact and that new ideas could spread to other Eastern European countries
• Who pressured Brezhnev to stop the reforms in Czechoslovakia?

  Walter Ulbricht and Gomulka
• What did Vasil Bilak do regarding the Prague Spring reforms?

  He signed a letter to Brezhnev suggesting that communism was under threat and encouraged Soviet intervention
• What was the timeline of events leading to the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia?

  Increased military presence, meetings with Brezhnev, and Dubcek's insistence on reforms led to the invasion
• When did the Soviet Union invade Czechoslovakia?

  20 August 1968
• How did Czechoslovakians respond to the Soviet invasion?

  They protested, threw petrol bombs, and set up barricades, but there was no armed resistance from the army
• What happened to Dubcek and other leaders after the invasion?

  They were arrested and taken to Moscow
• What was the Brezhnev Doctrine?

  It justified the Soviet invasion by stating the right to intervene in any Eastern European country threatening the security of the Eastern Bloc
• What were the consequences of the Soviet invasion for Czechoslovakia?

  Demonstrations continued, Dubcek was forced to resign, and strict communist rule was re-established
• How did the Soviet invasion affect Soviet and US relations?

  It temporarily worsened relations, but ultimately did not endanger détente
• What was the reaction of Western European countries to the invasion?

  They condemned the invasion but provided no military support
• How did the invasion impact communist parties in Western Europe?

  They declared independence from the Soviet Communist Party and began developing Eurocommunism
• What was the impact of the invasion on the rivalry between China and the Soviet Union?

  It increased the rivalry as China criticized the use of force against a fellow communist nation
• What stance did President Ceausescu of Romania take regarding the invasion?

  He refused to send troops and took an independent line against the Soviet Union
• How did the Soviet Union react to the distancing of other communist countries after the invasion?

  It did not react significantly as it was preoccupied with events in Czechoslovakia
• What was the significance of the Central Committee of the Communist Party in the leadership challenge against Novotny?

  It was the platform where reformers like Dubcek and Sik challenged Novotny's leadership
• What was the Bratislava Declaration?

  It was a declaration signed by Brezhnev and Warsaw Pact leaders affirming their faith in communism
• What were some specific actions taken by Dubcek during the Prague Spring?

  He introduced reforms for political freedom, reduced secret police powers, and allowed for a multi-party state