Chapter 6: The Soviet Invasion of Czechoslovakia, 1968 Flashcards
Background of The Prague Spring/The invasion of Czechoslovakia 1968
Country wise
Czech had been a rich democracy before the war
*Allies did not intervene when they got invaded
Had a huge fall of standard of living All parts of media controlled Strictly followed Communism - but people hated the lack of freedom Workers wanted more say in factories They were refused a referendum Wanted a free vote Terrified of secret police
Dubcek’s “socialism with a human face” reform
Relaxation of press censorship Elements of capitalism allowed More power to reigned governments Criticism of government allowed More political opposition More power to the Czech parliament
These were abused by the people, who tried to force more reform
E.g the book called “two thousand words” persuaded people to force more reform
Background of The Prague Spring/The invasion of Czechoslovakia 1968 Leader wise
Was Antonin Novotny Hard line communist Unpopular Slow to release political prisoners He was slow to De - Stalinise
Reasons for the invasion of Czechoslovakia
Dubcek replaced Novotny
Novotny resigned in 1968, replaced by Svobada
Czech could leave the Warsaw pact and join Nato
Other countries could follow Czech
5 leading opponents of the the Prague spring wrote letters to Brezhnev to use “all means at your disposal”
Czech was getting an increasing amount of trade links to the West
East German and Polish leader put pressure on Brezhnev to stop reform
Consequences of the Czechoslovakia reform
Dubcek’s replacement reverted to strict communist rule (Gustav)
Soviet and Chinese rivalry increased
Albania left the Warsaw pact and allied with China
Yugoslavia and Romania condemned the invasion, distanced themselves from the Soviets and also allied with China
Narrative account of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (After Dubcek came to power)
After Dubcek replaced Novotny and made his reforms:
June 1968: Soviet tanks remain in country after exercises
July: Brezhnev met Dubcek, who agreed to only have one party and to stay in the Warsaw pact, but to do the reforms
August: Despite Dubcek declaring his faith to communism, he welcomed Tito, the distrusted leader of Yugoslavia. Brezhnev screams at Dubcek on the phone
20th August; The Soviet Union invades Czechoslovakia
No real resistance was made, and only 100 people died
What was the Brezhnev doctrine
The Brezhnev doctrine:
The soviets could invade any East Europe country who threatened the security of the Eastern Bloc
Dubcek’s reforms threatened the Warsaw pact and Soviet control.
