Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia Flashcards
What reforms was Alexander Dubcek making in Czechoslovakia?
As part of the ‘Prague Spring’, from April 1968, Dubcek introduced reforms such as less censorship, trade union powers increased/worker’s rights, more power for regional government, trade with West was increased and Czechs given greater freedom to travel abroad. The idea of holding multi-party elections in the future was discussed.
What did Dubcek promise Khrushchev make that meant the USSR were initially happy to accept him as leader?
Dubcek was committed to the Warsaw Pact and support for the Soviet Union.
What happened to change the USSR’s opinion on Dubcek?
The Soviet leader, Brezhnev (who replaced Khrushchev in 1968), disapproved of many of the reforms being made by Dubcek. He saw them as a threat to Soviet control in Eastern Europe.
Describe the events of the Soviet invasion.
On 20th August 1968, 500,000 Warsaw Pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia and ended the ‘Prague Spring.’ Although the Czech people could do little, there was some brave resistance, such as blocking roads or attacking individual tanks. The invading troops had been told they had been invited by the Czech government to help restore law and order, and were surprised by the hostility they encountered.
What impact did the Soviet invasion have Czechoslovakia?
Dubcek was arrested, sent to Moscow and ordered to reverse his reforms. Then in 1969 he was replaced by Gustav Husak. Husak was a hardliner loyal to Moscow and introduced a clampdown in which over a thousand Czechs were arrested.
What was the Brezhnev Doctrine?
Brezhnev said that the actions of any individual communist country affected all other communist countries. This meant other communist countries could take action to prevent reforms.
What was the impact of the Prague spring on USA/USSR relations?
The Soviet response to the Prague Spring outraged Western governments. There was an attempt to pass a formal resolution condemning the invasion in the United Nations but this was vetoed by the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union saw that the USA might protest but could take little action to opposed Soviet control in Europe.
