Soviet Invasion Of Czechoslovakia 1968 Flashcards
1
Q
When was the invasion of Czech?
A
1968
2
Q
Why was Novotny unpopular?
A
- Czech leader since 1957
- hard line communist who didn’t introduce reform
- slow to follow destalinisation
- his reform attempt after 1965(New economic model) was unsuccessful as they produced consumer goods no one could afford
3
Q
Why was the Czechoslovakian economy declining and when?
A
- 1960s
- ussr took the steel they produced
- stopped factories from producing consumer goods
4
Q
What did the declining economy lead to?
A
- Czechoslovakians to demand greater democracy
- 1967- Dubcek challenged Novotnys leadership at a communist party meeting
- Brezhnev invited to Prague and he did not support Novotny when he saw the country’s hatred
5
Q
Who was Alexander Dubcek?
A
- 1968- Dubcek replaced Novotny (1st highest rank in party)
- wanted to make communism better (‘socialism with a human face’)
6
Q
What were the Prague Spring reforms and when were they introduced?
A
- 1968
- Dubceks reforms to improve communism
- relaxation of censorship
- more democracy
- improve working conditions
- reduce secret police influence
- economy to have capitalist elements
7
Q
Responses to Prague Spring reforms
A
- Czechs-welcomed reforms and wanted more (apart from secret police)
- USSR- suspicious (feared Czech might leave Warsaw Pact and threaten communist rule)
8
Q
Why did the USSR invade Czechoslovakia
A
- worried ideas may spread
- worried Czech was becoming closer to West Germany (industrial reltaions)
9
Q
Re-establishing Soviet Control
A
- August 1968- USSR troops threw bombs, made barricades,
- Dubcek was arrested and forced to accept the end of Czech moved towards democracy
- next few years, hard line communism was reinforced by other leaders
10
Q
What was the Brezhnev Doctrine and when was it made?
A
- 1968
- made to justify invasion
- USSR had right to invade any Eastern countries whose actions appears threaten the security of the whole Eastern Bloc
- redefined communism as a one party system
- sent message reasserting control
11
Q
Consequences of the Brezhnev Doctrine
A
- Western European communist parties were horrified and declared themselves independant
- weakened USSRs grip on Eastern Europe (Yugoslavia and Romania backed off )
12
Q
Importance/consequences of Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia
A
- other Eastern European states (Poland and Hungary) had to rigidly stick to USSR style communism or risk invasion.
- worsened relations temporarily (west protested but did not stop the invasion)
- Western European communist countries did not associate with USSR
