Czechoslovakia Crisis and Brezhnev Doctrine Flashcards
Why was Khrushchev replaced and when did Brezhnev come to power?
- Perceived failures of CMC
- Domestic policies had failed to improve living standards
October 1964
- Brezhnev alongside party insiders were planning his removal
Under Khrushchev what was communism like within other nations?
Revolutions and reform had been attempted in Poland, Hungary and E.Germany
- As long as countries remained loyal to USSR, by staying in the Warsaw Pact and maintaining their status as a single party state, modifications in the nature of communism was allowed.
What was Mao’s reaction to communism under Khrushchev?
Disapproved and critscised
Overview of Brezhnev era - (Reassertion of USSR as a leader of communism)
- Between 1964-68 movements demanding changes in leadership and policies across E.Europe
- Continued economic deprivation
- Economic and political repressions caused discontent
What was the key cause of stability across the eastern block?
Economic stability
Czechoslovakia and USSR prior to uprising
- Relatively prosperous and loyal satellite state
- 1963 they recorded negative growth within Czechoslovakia
- Fears they may revolt
What were Ota Sik’s suggestios?
Czechoslovakian economist Ota Sik proposed reforms to the economy
- Allowing individual enterprises to function
- A Communist Party that would be responsive to public opinion.
- Existence of consumer rights
- Workforce having more power
What was the USSR’s response to Ota Sik’s plans?
- Would not let this happen
- Sik’s arguments were gaining support so change of leadership recquired
- Took changes to Czechoslovakian leadership to maintain the communist government.
Overview of Dubcek
- Choice to lead to Czechoslovakia
- Committed Communist
- Good terms with Brezhnev
- Wanted to create a popular form of communism
- Wanted to get rid of most repressive aspects of communist rule, reform economy & allow more cultural freedom
What was Dubcek like when he came to power and what did he do to the party?
- Advocate for political reform
- Began to replace key officials with those who wanted reform without consulting the USSR
- Also began to eliminate press censorship
What was USSR’s action to the removal of party officials?
USSR did not take immediate action, but were watching Czechoslovakia very carefully.
What did Dubcek announce in April 1968 and outline this?
Action Programme
- Stated the Communists determination for socialism according to the Czechoslovakian path
It included
- Basic freedoms of speech,press and movement
- Freedom for economic enterprises to make decisions based on consumer demand rather than government targets
- Increased rights of autonomy for politically repressed and underrepresented
- Communist Party would retain its ‘leading role’ but it would acknowledge the legitimacy of non-party institutions such as trade unions.
- Open borders with the West
How did Dubcek protest these reforms?
Assured Russia that Czechoslovakia would remain loyal to Warsaw Pact.
What was Prague Spring?
The timing of the reforms from Dubcek
Did the USSR initially react to the Action Programme?
No - they wanted to see how far reforms would go
How and when did Soviets react to the reforms?
Warsaw Pact Countries conducted military exercises in Czechoslovakia in late June 1968 to intimidate Dubcek
When and who did leaders meet to discuss Czechoslovakian reforms?
USSR, Bulgaria, E.Germany, Hungary and Poland on 14-15th July
Invasion of Czechoslovakia - When, Troops, Dubcek
On 20 August 1968, 500,000 Warsaw Pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia. Dubcek and three other leaders were arrested and sent to Moscow.
What was the reaction of the Czechoslovakians to the invasion and why?
The Czechoslovakians did not fight the Russians. Instead, they stood in front of the tanks, and put flowers in the soldiers’ hair.
- They did not have the resources to fight
- They also could not be villianised as they did not retaliate
What did the Czechoslovak Communist Party outline of the 21 August 1968?
6 point statement
- Explained how the Warsaw Pact had been broken as countries were against each other
- Demanded withdrawal of troops from Warsaw Pact
- Demanded Czechoslovakians did not attack troops so they could not use Czechoslovakia as an excuse or reason for future reforms/plans as USSR instigated attack
What did the Brezhnev Doctrine outline?
- USSR would not allow the countries of Eastern Europe to reject communism
- He stated that all communist countries had the responsibility to protect the communist movement and to interfere when it was threatened
What became known as the Brezhnev Doctrine?
Speech delivered to Polish Party Congress on November 19th 1968
When did Dubcek remain in power until?
April 1969
Who replaced Dubcek?
Gustav Husak
- Conformed to Soviet line
- Remained loyal until collapse of USSR
