crisis in Czech 1968

• what did Brezhnev want when he came into power?

  • stability in Eastern Europe, economic progress is the key to stability in the Bloc countries.
  • thought process was that as material improvements increased decline in protests occurred so he focused on strengthening the economy of Czechoslovakia.
• what was happening in Czechoslovakia 1963?

  • negative growth was recorded, leading to questioning of a socialist/communist relationship. communism seen as inefficient and corrupted
• when did signs of revolt in Czech begin in the 60s?

  • influential Czech economist Ota Sik proposed reforms to economy:
  • end to centrally planned economic targets for country
  • communist party responsive to public opinion
  • existence to consumer rights
  • workforce having more power (workers can replace factory managers
• who supported Ota Siks reforms?

  first intellectuals and students, then wider public so soviets felt changes had to take place in leadership to maintain communist government