Soviet Invasion Of Czechoslovakia Flashcards
What reforms was Alexander Dubcek making In Czechoslovakia
As a part of the ‘Prague spring’ from April 1968, Dubcek introduced reforms such as less censorship, trade union powers increased/ workers rights, more power for regional government, trade with the 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 that meant the USSR were initially happy to accept him as a leader
Dubcek was committed to the Warsaw Pact and support for the Soviet Union
What happened to change the USSRs 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, 500000 Warsaw Pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia and ended the ‘Prague spring ‘. Although the Czech people could do little, there were some brave resistance, such as blocking roads or attacking individual tanks. (Hostility)
What impact did the Soviet invasion have on 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 countries. This meant other communist countries could take action to prevent reforms
What was the impact of the Prague spring on the 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 oppose soviet control in Europe
