The Prague Spring 1968

Question 1

What had changed in the 1960s

Answer 1

A new leader had emerged in 1967.
- Dubcek, who proposed ‘socialism with a human face’

Question 2

What did Dubcek’s policies involve

Answer 2

Less censorship
More freedom of speech
reduction in the activities of the secret police
He believed that communism did not have to be so restrictive
Key - he assured Brezhnev that he had no plans to pull out of the Warsaw Pact or Comecon

Question 3

What happened as a result of Dubcek’s policies

Answer 3

New ideas emerged as opponents were able to criticise the failings of community rule and expose corruption.
By the summer of 1968 there were even talks of allowing a second party, the Social Democratic Party

Question 4

What response did this trigger from the USSR

Answer 4

The USSR was suspicious of the changes occurring and Brezhnev came under pressure from the DDR and Polish leaders to clamp down on the reforms

Question 5

What actions did this trigger from the USSR

Answer 5

1. Soviet, Polish and East German troops carried out training exercises on the Czech border
2. Economic sanctions considered but cancelled as the Soviets feared they would seek help from the West
3. In July 1968 the USSR held a summit with the Czechs and Dubcek agreed not to allow a new party, but insisted on keeping most reforms.

Question 6

What happened after these actions, to the surprise of the world

Answer 6

On 20 August 1968, Warsaw Pact troops entered Czechoslovakia. There was limited violent resistance.

Question 7

What were the consequences for Czechoslovakia

Answer 7

Dubcek was not executed but slowly demoted and photos of him were censored.

Question 8

What were the consequences for the USSR

Answer 8

It gave rise to the ‘Brezhnev Doctrine’

Question 9

What was the Brezhnev Doctrine

Answer 9

1. A one-party system must exist in all countries
2. All countries must remain members of the Warsaw Pact

Question 10

What was the reaction of the USA

Answer 10

President Johnson issued a statement along the lines of:
‘The Soviet Union and its allies have invaded a defenceless country … it is a sad commentary of the Communist mind that a sign of liberty in Czechoslovakia is deemed a fundamental threat to the security of the Soviet system’

Question 11

Why might America not have intervened - wider comments

Answer 11

1. Avoid war
2. Johnson not very popular after Jan 1968 Tet Offensive and ‘Nam
3. Acknowledgement that what happens in Eastern Europe is up to the USSR