CZECHOSLOVAKIA

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opposition to soviets

There were no riots or demonstrations but, during 1967, students and writers were complaining about the lack of freedom, and the poor performance of the Czechoslovak economy.

IMPACT OF SOVIET RULE ON CZECHOSLOVAKIA

Czechoslovakia economy and living standards declined

opposition to communism was crushed

communist rule very unpopular.

DUBCEK January 1968- leader of Czech

good friends with soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev.

communist support of the Warsaw pact but wanted communism to be better and easier to live under.

his reforms resulted in the "Prague Springs" (1968)

Prague spring reforms his reforms relaxation of censorship = freedom to say and write things even critical of communism. democracy allowed parties alongside the communist party, and more power given to the Czech parliament , soviet control reduced.

Brezhnev doctrine

the Brezhnev doctrine= from now USSR had the right to invade any eastern block country that threatened to security of the whole eastern block.

BREZHNEVS RESPONSE (soviet re-establish control)

he couldn't allow reforms, as weakness in control= brake up of the Warsaw pact ( no Dubcek's intention) B failed to change D mind and stop reforms. 1968 the USSR sent tanks to Prague and D was arrested., Czech returned to being under stick soviet control.

international reaction;

USA condemned the invasion but did nothing to stop in ( in fear of war)

western European communist parties were horrified and declared themselves form soviet communist party.

Yugoslavia and Romania also backed off from the USSR weakening the USSR grip Eastern Europe.