Chapter 16: Pressures on the USSR 1963-72 Flashcards
1
Q
What internal pressures did the USSR face at this time?
A
- Costs –> arms race, supporting allies
- Reforms –> change wanted in communist bloc
- Sino-Soviet split –> 1969 - led to border clashes
- Sino-US relationship –> 1971 - movement west = threat
2
Q
What pressures came from the soviet bloc - past and now?
A
- Khrushchev allowed differentiation of communism in countries - led to a variety of approaches
- Limits to USSR clear - crushed Hungarian uprising
- Brezhnev concerned for reforms in E Europe
- Alternative models of communism seen - Tito - Yugoslavia
- Economic decline - rising discontent - needed to strengthen control
3
Q
How did the Czechoslovakian crisis occur?
A
- Negative economic growth seen - made leaders question the benefits of communism
- 1960s - Ota Sik (economist) proposed reforms
4
Q
What reforms were proposed?
A
- End centrally planned economic targets
- Increased rights
- Increased private enterprise
- Argued political reforms needed to make these possible
5
Q
What was the consequence of these propositions?
A
- Gained support in the country
- Brezhnev moved to change the Czechoslovakian leadership
6
Q
How was leadership changed?
A
- Jan 1968 - Novotny -> Dubcek
- Seen as a typical, loyal communist leader
7
Q
How did Dubcek change things?
A
- Announced a new regime
- Communism with a human face / democratising communism
- 1968 - freedom of speech, press, travel, making economic decisions based on demand, move to consumer goods, allowance of trade unions and political parties
8
Q
What factors allowed the Prague Spring to happen?
A
- Economic problems
- Demands for change (Sik)
- Dubcek’s role
- Role of the USSR
9
Q
What concessions did Dubcek make to the USSR?
A
- Promised to stay loyal to the Warsaw pact
10
Q
How did Warsaw pact nations respond?
A
- July 1968
- Warsaw nations troops and red army do ‘training’ in Czechoslovakia but remain after as a threat
- Warsaw letter sent to demand the reversal of reforms that were a threat to communism
11
Q
How does Dubcek respond to the threats?
A
- Refuses letter - goes on TV to inform the public of this
- Announces the intention to discuss Western loans
12
Q
How does the invasion occur?
A
- 20 Aug 1968
- Dubcek and government officials arrested
- Forced to sign to reverse the reforms
13
Q
What was NATO’s response to the invasion?
A
- Condemn the invasion but take no action
14
Q
How was Czechoslovakia controlled after this?
A
- Red army reman
- Dubcek replaced by Husak 1969
15
Q
What was the Brezhnev doctrine?
A
- Used to justify the Czechoslovakian invasion
- Says they want to protect communism - would prevent the overthrow of any communist regimes
- Had a right to interfere if communism was threatened
