CZECHOSLOVAKIA

• DUBCEK

  • In 1968, the Czech Communist Party elected Alexander Dubcek as First Secretary
  • This title gave Dubcek the responsibility of leading the Czech government
  • The Soviet Union approved the appointment of Dubcek
  • The Soviet Union and the Czech Communist Party trusted Dubcek to improve the Czech government's efficiency and popularity
  • Dubcek needed to achieve these aims while remaining loyal to the Soviet Union
  • Dubcek was a devout communist. He believed in:
  • The upholding of the Warsaw Pact
  • Implementing communism in a way that did not make people's lives miserable
• 'SOCIALISM WITH A HUMAN FACE' -REFORMS

  • Dubcek wanted the Czech public to enjoy living in a communist state
  • Multi-party elections were considered for the future
  • More power to local governments
  • Reduced government control on Czech industry
  • Increased trade with the west
  • More opportunities for Czech citizens to travel abroad
  • More power given to trade unions
  • Freedom to criticise government without punishment
  • Relaxation of censorship
• REACTION TO REFORMS

  • The public reacted positively to the reforms
  • The USSR did not like Dubcek's reforms
  • The USSR became concerned about Dubcek's commitment to the Warsaw Pact
  • Dubcek confirmed that Czechoslovakia would remain a loyal ally to the USSR
  • Brezhnev did not want Dubcek's actions to encourage other satellite states to reform
  • In the 1960s, the USSR's control over Eastern Europe was not as strong as it had been in the 1940s
  • Yugoslavia had broken away from the USSR
  • Romania had refused to attend Warsaw Pact meetings
  • Brezhnev needed to keep control over Czechoslovakia
• SOVIET INVASION OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA

  • On 20th Aug 1968, 500,000 Warsaw Pact troops invade Czechoslovakia.
  • Czech public did not fight the Soviet troops. They peacefully protest by standing in front of tanks and giving flowers to the Soviet troops. A student protestor, Palach burned himself to death in the centre of Prague
  • Dubcek is arrested and sent to Moscow. The USSR ordered him to reverse the reforms.
  • Dubcek returns to Czechoslovakia. Czech communist party replaces Dubcek with Husak and he reinforces power by arresting protestors
• IMPACT ON COLD WAR TENSIONS

  • The USA strongly protested against the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia
  • The event proved that the USA would not take military action against the Soviet Union
  • The USA was engaged in a costly war in Vietnam
  • After the Cuban Missile Crisis, the USA attempted to form closer relations with the Soviet Union. The process is often referred to as Détente
  • The unwillingness of the USA to protect the freedom of the Czech people impacted their reputation across the West. The USA spoke out against the Soviet Union's actions but were unwilling to act against them
• CONSEQUENCES OF PRAGUE SPRING

  • Suppression of the Czech public and the appointment of Husak.
  • No military action by the USA against the Soviet Union
  • Creation of the Brezhnev doctrine in Sep 1968
• BREZHNEV DOCTRINE

  • The Brezhnev Doctrine aimed to bring the satellite states under more direct Soviet control
  • The actions of one communist country affect the reputation of all communist countries
  • The Warsaw Pact means that it is the responsibility of all communist countries to protect against a single country's actions. They must be willing to take action to stop one country from damaging communism
  • Reform in one country would damage communism. Instead of allowing reform to spread, communist countries should be prepared to fight against reforms.
• REACTIONS TO DOCTRINE

  •  Pro-Soviet leaders in Eastern Europe welcomed the doctrine
  • Some communists pushed further away from the USSR
  • Yugoslavia and Romania condemned the actions of the USSR
  • The communist parties in France and Italy cut all links to the USSR
  • The Brezhnev Doctrine tightened the Warsaw Pact, and concerned Western powers. This increased the threat and the power of the USSR
  • The USA did not want to fight against the USSR
  • The US government became more determined to pursue friendly relations with the USSR. The process is often referred to as Détente