Key Issue & - Similarities between Hungary and Czechoslovakia Flashcards
Causes - similarities
Both countries had a long-term resentment of Soviet rule
Causes - differences
- Hungary was affected by issues in other countries: the rebellion in Poland inspired them to act
- Czechoslovakia was affected by issues at home: economic depression and a desire for political change
Aims of rebels - similarities
Both wanted to give their people more rights and lessen the control of communist state
Aims of rebels - differences
-In Hungary, changes included withdrawing from the Warsaw Pact and Soviet influence.
The Czechs did not go that far
Actions of the people - similarities
Both involved groups of people protesting
Actions of the people - differences
- In Czech, the people’s actings were largely started by the role of their leader; it was his changes that encouraged them to protest
- In Hungary, it was the people who acted first
Why the Soviet Union intervened - similarities
The Soviet Union was very suspicious and fearful that nay form of rebellion would spread and lead to a split in its control in other countries
Why the Soviet Union intervened - differences
-Political nature of Czech was particularly dangerous for the Soviets; they faced people-led rebellions before like that in Hungary, but the “Prague Spring” was started by people who were mean to be under Soviet control
How each state responded to Soviet intervention - similarities
Both leader were removed form office
Both resulted in mass emigration
How each state responded to Soviet intervention - differences
- In Hungary, the people armed themselves and fought when the Soviets attacked
- In Czechoslovakia, following orders from the government, the people did not fight back
- In Czechoslovakia there were several protests after the Russian invasion including suicides
Reaction of the wider world - similarities
Reactions to both were wholly negative to Soviet use of force
The situation in Hungary was discussed at the United Nations; with Czechoslovakia the Soviet actions were condemned by different countries including the USA
Reaction of the wider world - differences
With the Czech invasion some members of the communist Warsaw Pact expressed shock at Soviet violence
The Romanian leader complained about Russian intervention
