The Prague Spring Flashcards
1966
Why were people in Czechoslovakia unhappy?
- Very limited freedoms as a communist satellite state
- Poor living standards
- Declining economy - the USSR took a lot of their produce and goods.
1966
How did the Czech people begin to show their anger?
There were protests throughout the 1960s. In 1966 there was a wave of student protests in Prague.
1968
Who was the new leader of Czechoslovakia?
Alexander Dubcek
1968
What kind of communism did Dubcek want in Czechoslovakia?
More ‘relaxed’, more freedoms for the people, more contact with the West
Communism with a “human face” :)
1968
What change did Dubcek introduce to Czechoslovakia as part of the Prague Spring?
The Action Programme:
I.Free trials
II.More political freedom with other political parties having a say
III.Free travel to non communist countries
IV.Free press and freedom of speech
1968
Why was the Soviet leader, Brezhnev, worried about these reforms?
They might bring down communism across Eastern Europe
August 1968
What eventually happened on 20th August, 1968?
The USSR and Warsaw pact invaded with 200,000 troops and 5,000 tanks
August 1968
What were the Czech army ordered to do while the Warsaw Pact troops invaded?
Not resist / not to put up a fight
August 1968
What was the Brezhnev Doctrine that was developed because of events in Czechoslovakia?
To use force to stop any country that was acting in a way that might cause communism to fall.
August 1968
How did other countries in the Warsaw Pact (Romania and Yugoslavia) respond to events in Prague?
Were very nervous and didn’t want to support them
August 1968
Why was the USA in a difficult position to take meaningful action against the USSR?
Their economy was in bad condition.
East Europe was under the influence of the USSR, so it was very difficult for the USA to do anything.
After the other crises of the 1960s the USA were also reluctant to push the USSR further.
