Confrontation and Cooperation, c1963–1972: Pressures on the USSR - the Crisis in Czechoslovakia and the Brezhnev Doctrine

Question 1

What did Brezhnev believe would secure stability in the Eastern bloc? Why did he want stability?

Answer 1

• Economic strengthening
• Material improvements tended to reduce protests
• Believed a stable Eastern Europe was necessary for Soviet prosperity

Question 2

Why were revolts arising in Czechoslovakia?

Answer 2

• Historically, Czechoslovakia was a relatively wealthy Eastern bloc nation
• In 1963, negative economic growth was recorded

Question 3

When was negative economic growth recorded in Czechoslovakia?

Answer 3

• 1963

Question 4

Ota Sik

Answer 4

• Influential Czechoslovak economist
• In mid 1960s, Sik proposed reforms to planned economy

• Economic reforms

• End to centrally planned economic targets for whole country
• Allow individual enterprises to function
• Communist Party responsive to public opinion
• Workforce having more power

• Political reforms
- In 1966, Sik argues for political reform to facilitate economic reforms

• Ideas become popular among intellectuals, students and wider public

Question 5

When did Ota Sik propose economic and political reforms?

Answer 5

• Mid 1960s
- Sik calls for economic reform

• 1966
- Sik argues for political reform

Question 6

How did the USSR respond to Sik’s reforms and their growing popularity?

Answer 6

• USSR recognised changes in leadership needed to maintain communist government
• In January 1968, Party leader Antonín Novotný pressured into resigning by USSR and replaced by Alexander Dubček

Question 7

Which Communist Party leader was pressured to resign by the USSR? Who was he replaced with and when did this happen?

Answer 7

• January 1968
• Antonín Novotný pressured to resign
• Replaced by Alexander Dubček

Question 8

Why did the USSR pick Alexander Dubček as leader?

Answer 8

• Appeared to be typical Party member

- Was a Slovak so could appeal to the Slovak minority and reduce protest

Question 9

What did Alexander Dubček promise once in power?

Answer 9

• Promised a ‘new start to socialism’ and ‘socialism with a human face’

Question 10

What actions did Alexander Dubček take once in power?

Answer 10

• Installed key officials who wanted reform without consulting Soviets
• Ended press censorship
• In April 1968, announced Action Programme
• In June 1968, abolished censorship

Question 11

Action Programme

Answer 11

• April 1968
• Aimed at achieving socialism through a distinct Czechoslovak path
• Permit freedom of speech, press and movement - including travel to Western countries
• Freedom for economic enterprises to make decisions based on consumer demand rather than government targets
• Increased rights of autonomy for the politically repressed (and underrepresented) Slovak minority
• Would acknowledge non-party associations such as trade unions

Question 12

When did Dubček announce the Action Programme?

Answer 12

• April 1968

Question 13

When did Dubček abolish censorship?

Answer 13

• June 1968

Question 14

How did Dubček try reassuring the USSR that Czechoslovakia would remain loyal to Moscow?

Answer 14

• Promised that Czechoslovakia would remain loyal to the Warsaw Pact

Question 15

How did the USSR and Warsaw Pact countries respond to Dubček’s reforms?

Answer 15

• USSR curious to see extent of reforms
• In late June 1968, Warsaw Pact countries conducted military exercises in Czechoslovakia to intimidate Dubček
• In July 1968, Warsaw Pact send Warsaw Letter to Dubček recognising self-determination but argued that challenges to socialism in one country threatened the entire socialist movement
• In July 1968, Dubček promises Brezhnev to repeal reforms but doesn’t; Brezhnev expects pro-Soviet group would emerge from Czechoslovak Communist Party but this doesn’t happen
• In late August 1968, Warsaw Pact forces invade Czechoslovakia
• In November 1968, Brezhnev delivers Brezhnev Doctrine
• In April 1969, Dubček replaced by Gustáv Husák

Question 16

When do Warsaw Pact countries conduct military exercises in Czechoslovakia to intimidate Dubček?

Answer 16

• Late June 1968

Question 17

When was the Warsaw Letter made? What was its message?

Answer 17

• July 1968
• Recognised Dubček’s right to self-determination but argued that challenges to socialism in one country were a threat to entire socialist movement
• E.g Polish students echo ‘Poland awaits her own Dubček’

Question 18

When do Dubček and Brezhnev have their last meeting before the invasion? What are their promises?

Answer 18

• July 1968
• Brezhnev hoped to split Czechoslovak Communist Party, with a pro-Soviet group emerging - this didn’t happen
• Dubček promised to repeal reforms but didn’t

Question 19

When does the Warsaw Pact forces invade Czechoslovakia?

Answer 19

• Late August 1968

Question 20

When is the Brezhnev Doctrine made? What was its message?

Answer 20

• November 1968
• Argues for right for self-determination
• But argues that no change should damage socialism in their own or other countries
• Stresses responsibility of communist states to intervene to protect communist community
• Outlines what deviation from communism would lead to

Question 21

What happened following the invasion of Czechoslovakia?

Answer 21

• Soviets found it hard to find members of Czechoslovak Communist Party willing to take power
• So Dubček remains in power until April 1969
• New government, led by Gustáv Husák, conformed to the Soviet line and remained
  in power until the collapse of communism in 1989
• Its power depended on continued Soviet military presence, and Red Army remained in Czechoslovakia until 1990

Question 22

When was Dubček replaced? Who was he replaced by and how loyal was this new government?

Answer 22

• April 1969
• Replaced by Gustáv Husák
• Remained loyal and in power until collapse of communism in 1989
• Its power depended on continued Soviet military presence, and Red Army remained in Czechoslovakia until 1990

Question 23

Outline main events of the crisis in Czechoslovakia

Answer 23

• Mid 1960s
- Ota Sik proposes economic reforms

• 1966
- Sik argues for political reform

• 1968
January
- Antonín Novotný replaced by Alexander Dubček
April
- Action Programme
June 
- Abolishes censorship
- Warsaw Pact countries do military exercises in Czechoslovakia
July
- Warsaw Letter
- Brezhnev and Dubček have last meeting
August
- Warsaw Pact forces invade Czechoslovakia
November 
- Brezhnev Doctrine

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