Prague Springs

• How to describe the government in Czechoslovakia before Prague Spring


  one-party communist state that answered to Moscow as a member of the Warsaw Pact. The government controlled the press and opposition was not tolerated
• What was the name of Czechoslovakia's particularly corrupt leader?

  Antonín Novotný
• What reforms did Ota šik, a respected Czech economist, recommend for economic reform?

  • less central control of the economy and lifting of the ban on private businesses
  • rights for consumers
  • more power for ordinary workers
  • the goverment should be more ready to listed to people's concerns
• Why did Moscow realise that some change would be needed to avoid a revolt in Czechoslovakia in 1966?

  šik called for full political reform believing that it was the only way to improve the economy. His ideas quickly grew in popularity
• When was Novotný forced to resign by the Soviet goverment?

  January 1968
• Who was Novotný replaced by

  Alexander Dubček, another senior Communist Party official
• What did Dubček call his new political reforms?

  • new start to socialism
  • socialism with a human face
• What did Dubček do as part of his political reforms just after gaining power?

  • remove state controls on industry, allowing Czechs to run their own businesses
  • allowed public meetings and freedom of speech
  • ended press censorship
  • gave Czechs the right to visit non-Communist countries
• Why was Dubček giving Czechs the right to visit non-communist countries a problem for the USSR?

  • there were very few opportunities inside the communist bloc
  • didn't want a repeat of West Berlin's brain drain
• Dubček pledged total loyalty to the Warsaw Pact and promised that communism would remain in Czechoslovakia after introducing his new political reforms
• How did Dubček act after USSR not stoping reforms despite Moscow becoming increasingly uneasy about them?

  Introduced even more radical changes in what became known as the 'Prague Spring movement"
• Just as Hungary had been one of Krushchev's first tests, Prague would be one of the first challenges of Brezhnev's rule
• Why were other Warsaw Pact leaders, particularly in East Germany and Hungary, very concerned by the developments in Czechoslovakia?

  They feared that the unrest would spread to their own countries
• Example of Dubček's influence spreading to other countries

  In Poland, student protesters called for their own Dubček
• Why did Brezhnev, initially, resisted intervening in Czechoslovakia?

  He felt that as long as communism remained in power in the country and Dubček remained committed to the Warsaw Pact, the situation would be managed
• In what countries was Dubček gaining support

  Yugoslavia and Romania (a Warsaw Pact member)
• Which of Dubček's reforms led to Warsaw Pact members showing their displeasure?

  • open borders with Western countries
  • remove all remaining censorship of the press
• What was a tactic used to intimidate Dubček's government?

  In June 1968, the Czech border was chosen as the location for Warsaw Pact military exercises by Soviet, Polish and East German Troops
• After a meeting in July 1968 with the Warsaw Pact, what did they do to get Dubček to reverse the reforms?

  • issued the 'Warsaw Letter' to the Czech government, acknowledging that every country had a right to self-determination but also warned that a challenge to the communist system in one country risked damaging the system as a whole
  • Brezhnev held a series of meetings with Dubček
• When did Soviet forces enter Czechoslovakia and quickly seize control of Prague?

  20 August 1968
• When Soviet forces entered Prague, there was some civilian resistance, but Dubček ordered the army to not fight back. People who resisted the invaders were dealt with brutally and Dubček knew that they stood no chance and would be slaughtered
• What was the last act of defiance in Czechoslovakia?

  Czech radio stations broadcasted reports of the invasion to the world, describing it as a violation of socialist principles and international law
• What happened to Dubček as a result of the Prague Spring

  Arrested and forced to reverse the reforms
• Casualty and death tolls of the Prague Spring movement

  A hundred protesters killed and 500 wounded
• What kind of government was established in 1969 as a result of the Prague Spring?

  A hard-line government, loyal to Moscow and Soviet-style communism
• What happened to Dubček after he was arrested?

  • expelled from the Communist Party in 1970
  • spent next 18 years working as a clerk in a wood-processing yard
  • returned to politics after fall of Soviet Union 20 years later