6 The Prague Spring

Question 1

What caused Antonin Novotny’s fall from power?

Answer 1

• Antonin Novotny was an unpopular leader because he was a hard-line communist who only gradually introduced de-Stalinisation (e.g. slow to release political prisoners)
• Czechoslovakia were forced to produce materials such as steel for the USSR, even though they needed it for their own struggling economy.
• The failure of Novotny’s New Economic Model (due to producing a surplus of consumer goods that could not be afforded) caused Czechoslovakians to campaign for a greater amount of democracy, and reformers in the party openly opposed Novotny’s rule
• With the approval of Brezhnev, Alexander Dubcek replaced Novotny as First Secretary of the Communist Party in January 1968, and General Ludvik Svoboda replaced him as President of Czechoslovakia in March.

Question 2

What reforms did Dubcek introduce in the Prague Spring?

Answer 2

Dubcek remained a devoted communist, but wanted to win support by removing its worst features. These reforms were known as the Prague Spring, the policies included:
- A 10 year programme for political change, with democratic elections and a multi-party state
- Greater political freedom including free speech and the abolition of press censorship
- A reduction in the powers of the secret police to imprison without trial
- The removal of travel restrictions and fresh contact with the West, such as trade with West Germany
- The creation of work councils representing the workforce to improve working conditions

Czechoslovakia did not leave the Warsaw Pact in these reforms

Question 3

Why were the Soviet Union unhappy with the Prague Spring reforms, and what were the reasons behind a potential invasion?

Answer 3

Dubcek’s reforms had encouraged opponents of communism to demand even more radical change, and the Soviets were suspicious of the changes taking place for several reasons:
- Czechoslovakia was an important country in the Warsaw Pact, as it was centrally placed. Brezhnev was worried they would leave the Warsaw Pact, which would result in the Eastern Bloc splitting into two and NATO being able to take over the country.
- Czechoslovakia had the strongest industry in Eastern Europe
- The new ideas in Czechoslovakia could spread to other countries in Eastern Europe
- Czechoslovakia were developing a very strong relationship with West Germany, which could result in West Germany dominating the economy in Czechoslovakia and Eastern Europe

Question 4

What specific event triggered the invasion of Czechoslovakia?

Answer 4

• Despite Soviet discontent with the reforms, Dubcek managed to convince Brezhnev that a new Social Democratic Party would not be allowed to form against the Communist party and that Czechoslovakia would not leave the Warsaw Pact
• However, on the 9th August 1968, the leader of Yugoslavia, Tito, who was distrusted by the Soviet Union, received an enthusiastic reception in Czechoslovakia
• This caused the Soviets to believe that Dubcek was trying to gain independence from the Soviet Union, and so after a three day meeting session of the Politburo, the Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia.

Question 5

How did the Soviets invade Czechoslovakia?

Answer 5

• On 20-21st August 1968, thousands of Soviet troops backed by other European countries invaded Czechoslovakia with little military resistance, less than 100 people were killed in the invasion
• Dubcek and other leaders were arrested and taken to Moscow, where they were forced to accept the end of Czechoslovakia’s move towards democracy.

Question 6

What was the Brezhnev Doctrine, issued in the Autumn of 1968?

Answer 6

Brezhnev issued the doctrine to justify the invasion of Czechoslovakia, it stated that:
- The Soviet Union had the right to invade any country in Eastern Europe whose actions threatened the security of the Eastern Bloc and threatened the Warsaw Pact
- Communism was redefined as a one party system and all member countries had to remain part of the Warsaw Pact
- If a capitalist country threatened any communist country, other communist states had the right to intervene using force

Question 7

What were the consequences of Soviet Invasion?

Answer 7

• Czechoslovakia: Dubcek was eventually force to resign, and his replacement, Gustav Husak reverted to strict communist rule.
• Soviet and USA relations: Brezhnev and Lyndon B. Johnson had an unspoken deal that the USA would not intervene in Czechoslovakia if the Soviet Union did not get involved in Vietnam. Therefore, the invasion did not endanger relations.
• Western Europe: Like America, they condemned the invasion but provided no military help. The Soviet Union started to lose influence in communist parties in Western Europe, who formed their own form of communism known as Eurocommunism.
• Communist countries: Rivalry with China increased as they condemned the invasion of a fellow communist country (because they also feared an invasion from the Soviets). Albania left the Warsaw Pact in 1968. Romania and Yugoslavia also distanced themselves from the Soviet Union and formed an alliance with China.