Communism in Czechoslovakia

Communism in Czechoslovakia

• L.O: to understand the history of communism in Czechoslovakia and why it fell
• STARTER
• Match the key word to the definition:
• Prague Spring
• The Velvet Revolution
• Czechoslovakia Coup
• EXTENSION: find out when each of these events took place
• A term used to describe the collapse of communism in Czechoslovakia.
• A brief period of time when the government of Czechoslovakia wanted to democratise the nation to lessen the power that Moscow had on the nations affairs
• Communist had forced other coalition parties out of the government in Czechoslovakia and rigged elections were held

Early Communism in Czechoslovakia

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfdfSuNa2wY (Incorporar)
• Coup 1948- caused by US terminating a large loan to Czechoslovakia
• Said that the US action was driving their nation into the clutches of Communism
• Communists organised strikes and protests but the government clamped down on rebels after the possibility of accepting Marshall Aid
• By Feb 1948, communist forced other parties out of the government and took control
• Rigged elections held in May
• Prague Spring- Dubcek promised reform for democratisation
• Eased press censorship, allowed greater artistic and cultural reform
• Still remained loyal to Moscow
• July 1968- met with Brezhnev who demanded Czechoslovakia remained strict communist state
• August 1968- Moscow sent in tanks and Dubcek kidnapped and forced to sign declarations of loyalty to Moscow
• Husak appointed & reversed reforms

How Communism fell in Czechoslovakia

• Berlin Wall collapse- this encouraged people, especially students to speak out. The wall symbolised a lack of freedom under communism. The collapse meant the people now have comfidence
• Velvet Revolution- the collapse of communism in 1989
• Public demonstrations calling for reforms
• Civil Forum- coordinate campaign to get rid of communist government
• Communism caved under public pressure and reforms introduced in 1989
• Protests were through the arts and not aggressive like other countries in Europe
• Vaclav Havel (play write) elected President
• Country split into Czech and Slovak republics
• 

TASK: fill in the dates