World Civilizations Prague Spring

Prague Spring ● Process of liberalization in the Czechoslovakian Socialist Republic ● Lead by economic crisis, criticizing low standards of living ● Intellectuals protested the harsh censorship in the media ● Example of counterculture State of Czechoslovakia (40s-60s) ● Under communist rule since 1948 ● Ruled by authoritarian leader, Antonin Novotny ○ Risen to power from Soviet support ○ Oppressive and loyal to Moscow ○ Secret police known as the StB ● Economic instability ○ Previously strong economy, failed from COMECON ○ Low standards of living, poverty ○ Attempted reforms massively failed ● Political instability, frequent change in leadership ○ Hardline dictator, Antonin Novotny ■ Lost Soviet support after Brezhnev realized unpopularity of Novotny ○ 1968, Novotny replaced by Alexander Dubcek ■ First Secretary of Czechoslovakia ■ Moderate reformer communist ● Ducek began a limited reforms program ○ “Socialism with a human face” ○ Reduced powers of StB ○ Relaxed censorship laws ○ Gave industries more freedom ○ Relaxed travel restrictions ● Ducek continued reforms, expanding further ○ Toleration of the Non-Communist Party ○ Freedom of press ○ Plans of open borders with west ○ Trade discussions with West Germany ● These further reforms lead to direct intervention by Brezhnev ○ Brezhnev mobilized nations of the Warsaw Pact ○ Invasion of Czechoslovakia, removing of Dubcek Invasion of Czechoslovakia, 1968 ● Lead by nations of the Warsaw Pact on USSR’s orders ● Dubcek removed from power, arrested, and taken to Moscow for his reforms ● Hundreds of deaths student protests and continuation of demonstrations ● Return to hardline, one-party communist rule Effects of Invasion of Czechoslovakia ● Worsened relations western relations, US condemns invasion ● Brezhnev Doctrine established ○ Justified Soviet Union’s actions in Czechoslovakia ○ If any member state of the Warsaw Pact strayed from one-part communism, USSR had the authority to intervene ○ Tied nations of the Warsaw Pact closer together ● Romania disapproved the Invasion of Czechoslovakia, refusing to partake ○ Romania and USSR had increased tensions ○ Romania stayed with Warsaw Pact out of fear from Brezhnev Doctrine ● Czechoslovakia established a “normalization” program ○ Reversed Dubcek’s reforms ○ Ended demonstrations or memorials for Invasion ● Czechoslovakia remained a communist nation for another 20 years ○ Obedient to Moscow, oppressive regime of Gustav Hustak began