Confrontation and Cooperation, c1963-1972: Pressures on the USSR - the Crisis in Czechoslovakia and the Brezhnev Doctrine Flashcards
What did Brezhnev believe would secure stability in the Eastern bloc? Why did he want stability?
• Economic strengthening
• Material improvements tended to reduce protests
• Believed a stable Eastern Europe was necessary for Soviet prosperity
Why were revolts arising in Czechoslovakia?
• Historically, Czechoslovakia was a relatively wealthy Eastern bloc nation
• In 1963, negative economic growth was recorded
When was negative economic growth recorded in Czechoslovakia?
•1963
Ota Sik
• 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
When did Ota Sik propose economic and political reforms?
• Mid 19605
- Sik calls for economic reform
• 1966
- Sik argues for political reform
How did the USSR respond to Sik’s reforms and their growing popularity?
• USSR recognised changes in leadership needed to maintain communist government
• In January 1968, Party leader Antonín Novotny pressured into resigning by USSR and replaced by Alexander Dubcek
Which Communist Party leader was pressured to resign by the
USSR? Who was he replaced with and when did this happen?
•January 1968
• Antonín Novotny pressured to resign
• Replaced by Alexander Dubcek
Why did the USSR pick Alexander Dub¢ek as leader?
• Appeared to be typical Party member
- Was a Slovak so could appeal to the Slovak minority and reduce protest
What did Alexander Dubcek promise once in power?
• Promised a ‘new start to socialism’ and
‘socialism with a human face’
What actions did Alexander Dubcek take once in power?
• Installed key officials who wanted reform without consulting
Soviets
• Ended press censorship
• In April 1968, announced Action Programme
• In June 1968, abolished censorship
Action Programme
• 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
When did Dubček announce the Action
Programme?
•April 1968
When did Dubček abolish censorship?
• june 1968
How did Dubcek try reassuring the USSR that Czechoslovakia would remain loyal to Moscow?
• Promised that Czechoslovakia would remain loyal to the Warsaw Pact
How did the USSR and Warsaw Pact countries respond to Dubcek’s reforms?
• USSR curious to see extent of reforms
• In late June 1968, Warsaw Pact countries conducted military exercises in Czechoslovakia to intimidate Dubcek
• In July 1968, Warsaw Pact send Warsaw Letter to Dubiek recognising self-determination but argued that challenges to socialism in one country threatened the entire socialist movement
• In July 1968, Dub¿ek 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, Dubcek replaced by Gustáv Husk
When do Warsaw Pact countries conduct military exercises in Czechoslovakia to intimidate Dubček?
• Late lune 1968
When was the Warsaw Letter made? What was its message?
July 1968
• Recognised Dubcek’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’
When do Dubček and Brezhnev have their last meeting before the invasion? What are their promises?
• July 1968
• Brezhnev hoped to split Czechoslovak Communist Party, with a pro-Soviet group emerging - this didn’t happen
• Dubcek promised to repeal reforms but didn’t
When does the Warsaw Pact forces invade
Czechoslovakia?
• Late August 1968
When is the Brezhnev Doctrine made? What was its message?
• 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
What happened following the invasion of Czechoslovakia?
• Soviets found it hard to find members of Czechoslovak
Communist Party willing to take power
• So Dubcek remains in power until April 1969
• New government, led by Gustav 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
When was Dubček replaced? Who was he replaced by and how loyal was this new government?
• April 1969
• Replaced by Gustáv Husk
• 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
Outline main events of the crisis in
Czechoslovakia
• Mid 19605
- Ota Sik proposes economic reforms
• 1966
-Sik argues for political reform
• 1968
January
- Antonín Novotny replaced by Alexander Dubcek
April
- Action Programme
June
- Abolishes censorship
- Warsaw Pact countries do military exercises in Czechoslovakia
July
- Warsaw Letter
- Brezhnev and Dub&ek have last meeting
August
- Warsaw Pact forces invade Czechoslovakia
November
- Brezhnev Doctrine
