CZECHOSLOVAKIAN UPRISING

• Who imposed his will on Czechoslovakia's communist leaders?

  Soviet leader Joseph Stalin
• Until what year was Czechoslovakia run as a Stalinist state?

  1964
• What began in Czechoslovakia in 1964?


  A gradual trend toward liberalization
• What were Czechoslovakians agitating for starting in 1966?


  Changes to education and an end to censorship
• Who was the First Secretary of Czechoslovakia before Alexander Dubcek?

  Antonin Novotny
• In what year was Antonin Novotny replaced as First Secretary?

  1968
• Who was unanimously elected as First Secretary by the Czechoslovakian Central Committee?

  Alexander Dubcek
• What happened on the night of August 20, 1968?


  Nearly 200,000 troops invaded Czechoslovakia
• What was the nature of armed resistance to the invasion?

  It was negligible
• What did protesters do in response to the invasion?

  They took to the streets and tore down street signs
• What happened at Radio Prague during the invasion?


  Journalists refused to give up station and 20 were killed
• How many protesters were shot to death by Warsaw Pact troops?

  More than 100
• Which countries condemned the invasion of Czechoslovakia?

  China, Yugoslavia, and Romania
• What was the outcome of the invasion for Czechoslovakia's intellectual and business elite?

  Many fled en masse to the West
• What did Dubcek announce upon his return to Prague on August 27?


  He agreed to curtail his reforms
• What happened to Dubcek after he was forced to dismiss his progressive allies?

  He became increasingly isolated from both the public and his government
• Who replaced Dubcek as First Secretary after the anti-Soviet rioting in April 1969?


  Gustav Husak
• What was Gustav Husak's political stance?

  He was a "realist" willing to work with the Soviets
• What were the key reforms promised in the "Action Program" unveiled in April?

  • Democratic elections
  • Greater autonomy for Slovakia
  • Freedom of speech and religion
  • Abolition of censorship
  • End to restrictions on travel
  • Major industrial and agricultural reforms
• What was the significance of the "Two Thousand Words" petition published in late June?

  • Called for rapid progress to full democracy
  • Reflected public desire for reform
  • Alarmed the Soviet Union and its satellites
• What was USA response to Prague spring 


  Cancelled an upcoming meeting between president Lyndon b Johnson and soviet leader Brezhnev
• How did Prague spring increase tension

  Showed the brehznev the new soviet leader could be just as cruel as Stalin