USSR Prague Spring Flashcards
What was Czechoslovakia like pre-Stalin
takeover? 5
1946 elections showed strong
support for Communist party
Czechoslovakians didn’t have time for
West after 1939 Munich Conference
Communist Party was in charge
of police & army was able to
influence elected govt
1946/47 country had hard
winter and economy began to
fail and ppl wanted Marshall aid
Foreign Minister Jan Masaryk realised
ppl were more critical of Soviet rule
describe how Stalin took over Czechoslovakia by force 3
1948 meant to be year of general elections there
Stalin feared Communist party wouldn’t do so well and took over Czechoslovakia
New Prime Minister Klement Gottwald introduced Soviet style of constitution that banned all political opposition
Foreign minister Jan Masaryk commits “suicide” (doctor that examined his body also died a few weeks later)
1966 why were reformist groups calling for
reform in Czechoslovakia? 7
Hard-line Communist Leader Antonin Novotny unpopular bc: censorship of press,no personal freedom for ordinary citizens
tired of 20 years of repressive rule
Weak Czech economy, Czechs bitter bc USSR controlled economy for own benefit.
Czech farmers had to follow Communist Party guidance on what to produce. efforts to modernise farming were discouraged
standard of living was lower inCzechoslovakia than other states. Workers in poor housing and led basic lifestyles
USSR exploited raw materials of Czechoslovakia
Ppl complained about government in Prague imposing it’s rules on them and overriding local autonomy
Give background to Prague Spring 5
Open criticism of Antonin Novotny in June 1967 at Writer’s Union Congress
Oct 1967 Students demonstrated against Novotny
early 1968 Novotny replaced as First
Secretary of party by Alexander Dubcek
Dubcek knew Czech couldn’t leave Warsaw Pact but attempted to “relax” Communism
He described it as “Socialismwith a human face”
what was Prague Spring? 8
freedom of speech
Czechs could travel outside Iron Curtain
Businesses could run themselves
worker’s councils were set up
reduction of secret police activities
next govt would be chosen by free elections
New opposition party was allowed: Social Democratic Party
Told Moscow they had no intention of leaving Warsaw Pact
Why was Brezhnev not happy with Prague Spring 4
Under pressure from Ulbricht of GDR and
Gomulka of Poland, he said that they need to stop
reforms before they spread to GDR and Poland
Soviet, GDR and Polish troops began “training
exercises” on Czechoslovakia border
Dubcek approached Yugoslavia &Romania for possible Alliance. Brezhnev really not happy
3 August there was meeting of Warsaw Pact
where Czech was told to keep political stability
Describe Brezhnev’s invasion of Czechoslovakia 4
sent 200 000 troops & 2000 tanks
Dubcek encouraged ppl not to respond with violence
72 protesters killed
Dubcek arrested & sent to Moscow
Describe the consequences of Brezhnev’s invasion of Czechoslovakia 5
Brezhnev introduced Brezhnev Doctrine
About 150 000 ppl left Czech for Austria or Germany
Student Jan Palach set fire to himself in Wenceslas Square in protest over Soviet actions
China criticised Brezhnev’s treatment of Czechs who were Communist. Added tension to already strained Sino-Soviet relations
No more protests from Eastern European countries until late 1980s when Gorbachev abandoned Brezhnev Doctrine
what was the Brezhnev Doctrine?
Moscow had right to interfere with military force if any country in Eastern Europe attempted to abandon Communism
