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The Prague Spring, image, image, image, image, image, image, image -…
The Prague Spring
Why was Brezhnev so worried about Czechoslovakia
That these reforms will spread to tother countries int he Warsaw Pact
More freedoms will result to more rebellions and the world will hear about protest agains communism
The trade and resources that was usually exploited from Czechoslovakia would be significantly reduced, if not gone
Power from the USSR will have less impact as now there are Czech regional governments
Travel restrictions were lessened, people's ca travel abroad and see the lives of non-communist nations and then diver
Danger of multiparty elections as a communist government might not get elected
If the Warsaw Pact disbanded, USSR will lose its buffer zone
Why did opposition to Soviet Rule in Czechoslovkia grow in 1960?
1948, stalin backed a coup in the country getting rid of noncommunist politicians, exablicing a pro-soviet communist government under the head Klement Gottwald
The Czech economy was run for the benefit of the Soviet Union and there were few consumer goods for the people
No freedom of speech! Radios, newspapers, and televisions were all censored
(Stalin's order) purges were carried out (between 1949 and 1954).
Victims
Democratic politicians
Military Leaders
catholics
Jews
high ranking catholics
People with wartime connections with the west
There were protests agains the low standard of low standard of living and lack of freedom, even student demonstrations (1966) showing how unpopular the government was.
Important Leaders during the Time
Khrushchev
Following the climb down at the Cuban Missle Crisis, Krushchev was deposed in 1964
Leonid Brezhnev
Krushchev was replaced by Leonid Brezhnev
Alexander Dubcek
Became leader of Czechoslovakia on 5th January 1968
Supported by Brezhev and a Czech general Ludvik Svoboda
Devoted Communist, proposed the concept, "Socialism with a Human Face" / The Prague Spring Reforms"
Gustuv Husak
Replaced Dubcek
Brezhnev Doctrine
communist countries should be 1 part states
all countries must remain in the Warsaw Pact
The USSR sends out messages to reformers in Eastern Europe again
A warning and a reassertion of soviet control
Responses from other countries
US
Didn't agree/like the Doctrine but didn't react or do anything as they were preoccupied by the Vietnam War
Relations were temporarily worsened but soon recovered
Weastern Europe
Communist Parties in countries such as Italy and Francecut links to Moscow
The governments of East Germany and POland welcomed Brezhnev's actions. They could feel more secure that they would not be challenged by reformers in their own countries.
China (Mao)
Critical of Brezhnev's Actions
They believed it was wrong to use force against a fellow communist nation
Feared Russia will use force against him
Eastern Europe (Warsaw Pact Nations)
The Brezhnev Doctrine was condemned by many countries in the pact
Ceausescu refused to send Romanian troops to help the USSR
Albania leaves Warsaw Pact in 1968
The Soviet Union had greater control over the members of the Warsaw Pact.
Prague Spring reforms
Elections and Party System
more power was given to Czech regional governments
Tfacd unions were given wider powers and government control of the industry was reduced.
The idea of having multiparty elections were discussed although Dubcek and the other communist leaders emphasized that this would not happen for years
Politcal Freedom
Censorship was relaxed and criticism of government actions were allowed
Travel & Trade
Czech people were given greater freedom to travel abroad
Trade with the west increases
The results
Demonstrations in Prague until April 1969
A student Jan Palach set himself on fire in January 1969 in protest
Dubcek was arrested and taken to Moscow to be replaced by more hardline leader Gustuv Husak
USSR reaction
Warsaw Troops and Tanks were sent in 20-21st August
there were violent scenes as students tried to resist but Chxechoslovakian army did not fight back
