the prague spring

• when was the prague spring?

  1968
• background

  • the hungarian revolt was brutally suppressed in 1956
  • khruschev had been ousted and leonid brezhnev was the new leader of the USSR
  • the leader of Cechslovakia was Antonin Novotny, a hard-line communist
• why was there oppositon in czechslovakia? (main points)

  • czechsolvakia, as other soviet satellites, was a one-party state governed by communists. They resented their lack of freedom of speech under the Soviet system.
  • Its economy was government-run, with emphasis on heavy industry, rather than consumer goods, and on collective farms.
  • By the mid-1960s many people were very disappointed with the standard of living under Soviet-style government.
• why was there oppositon in czechslovakia?

  • Strict censorship made difficult to criticise the government and a large secret police force arrested the political opponents.
  • However, there were student demonstrations in 1966 and public criticism against Novotny’s government.
  • Novotny replied increasing censorship and arresting opponents.
  • The student protesters called for greater democracy and free speech.
• Why were there political changes in 1968?

  • Novotny ousted; Dubček appointed as Communist Party leader.
  • Action Programme introduced in April, known as 'Prague Spring.'
  • 'Socialism with a human face' policy proposed by Dubček.
  • Reforms included: allowing minor parties in government, more democratic rights, equal Slovak rights.
  • Learned from Hungarian uprising, assured no plans to leave Warsaw Pact or Comecon.
  • Opposition, led by intellectuals, launched criticisms on radio and TV.
  • Summer saw emergence of radical ideas, including the allowance of a rival Social Democratic Party.
• how did the USSR respond?

  • New ideas in Czechoslovakia feared to spread across Eastern Europe.
  • Ulbricht (East Germany) and Gomulka (Poland) press Brezhnev to curb Czech reforms.
  • Dubček urged to slow reforms; public military exercises on Czech border.
  • July summit with USSR: Dubček agrees not to allow Social Democratic Party but insists on most reforms.
  • Early August: Warsaw Pact declares urging Czechoslovakia to 'maintain political stability.'
  • August 20: Warsaw Pact tanks move into Czechoslovakia.
• how did the czechs resist?

  • The Czech government decided not resist the invading army.
  • People refused to cooperate with the Soviets, tried to convince the troops to leave Prague and there was very little fight on the streets.
• what was the outcome?

  • Within few days the whole country was under occupation.
  • Dubček was removed from power in 1969 (but not executed!!): his experiment proved to be unacceptable to the other Communist countries. All the reforms were removed.
  • Husák, a pro-Soviet leader took his place.
  • In May 1970 a Soviet-Czechoslovak treaty was signed: the Czechs were forced to thank the Soviets for the invasion.
• The Brezhnev Doctrine

  • Brezhnev made it clear to the world what would happen to any country which tried to follow Czechoslovakia’s example.
  • He said that if a Communist country started to go back towards Capitalism, other Communist countries would take action to stop it doing so.
• how many people were killed

  137