Brezhnev doctrine

Question 1

What was it?

Answer 1

a Soviet foreign policy announced after the crushing of the Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia.

Question 2

Why did it happen?

Answer 2

• In 1968, Dubček in Czechoslovakia introduced liberal reforms (“socialism with a human face”).
• These reforms included freedom of speech, relaxed censorship, and possible multi-party elections.
• The USSR feared this would spread to other Eastern bloc countries.

Question 3

Soviet response

Answer 3

Warsaw Pact forces invaded Czechoslovakia in August 1968.
• Dubček was arrested and replaced by a more obedient leader.
• The Brezhnev Doctrine was then used to justify future Soviet interventions in Eastern Europe.

Question 4

Importance:

Answer 4

• Reinforced control over Eastern Europe.
• Made it clear that no Eastern bloc country could escape communism without a fight.
• It was a direct challenge to the idea of détente and freedom movements.
• Helped explain future actions (e.g. resistance to Solidarity i