What was the impact of the USSR Invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968?

Learning objective – to be able to assess the impact of the USSR invasion of Czechoslovakia In 1968. I can describe the key features of the USSR invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. Grade D I can explain the impact USSR invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. Grade B I can evaluate the impact of the USSR invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. Grade A

Starter – stick this comic strip on the Prague Spring and annotate it with one fact about each reform.

Leonid Brezhnev’s dilemma The Prague Spring created a significant dilemma for Brezhnev for a number of reasons. He considered Dubcek a friend. Dubcek had made no move to leave the Warsaw Pact – unlike Nagy in Hungary – or damage the USSR. On the other hand ……. Fear that the Prague Spring would lead to the weakening of Soviet control in Czechoslovakia – the richest country in central Europe with the strongest industry. Losing control in Czechoslovakia could provide the template and example for other satellite states in eastern Europe to follow.

How did Brezhnev try to stop the reforms of the Prague Spring? Constant contact with Dubcek through 1968 to persuade him that the reforms went too far for the Soviets to accept. In May and July, 1968, senior USSR politicians visited Czechoslovakia demanding the end to these reforms, particularly on censorship. In June, 1968, Warsaw Pact troops engaged in very public armed manoeuvres on the Czech border. In early August, 1968, Warsaw Pact countries called on Czechoslovakia to maintain political stability.

The USSR Invasion of Czechoslovakia – August 1968 Why? Although Dubcek had made some concessions, there were nowhere near enough to satisfy the USSR. The Soviet Union had been in control of Czechoslovakia since 1948. What? Warsaw Pact troops entered Czechoslovakia on the night of 20/21 August 1968 claiming that they had been invited by loyal Czech communists to stop revolution. The invasion was met with protests from the Czechs rather than violent opposition on the orders of Dubcek. Significant? USSR invasion of Czechoslovakia showed how much they saw the Prague Spring as a threat. This was eagerly supported by a number of satellite states, especially East Germany.

Czechoslovakia response to the USSR invasion Why? Czechoslovakia did not want to became ‘another Hungary’. They wanted to be still seen as loyal to the USSR and, therefore, did not want to resort to violent confrontation which they would probably lose. What? Although Dubcek ordered the Czech people not to respond to violence with violence, there was a significant amount of civil disobedience in response to the invasion. For example, students stood in the way of tanks, flowers were given to soldiers and radio broadcasts were made. Significant? Because of this passive resistance, the Czechs gained significant international support and the casualty rate was very low compared with the Hungarian Uprising [73 Czech protesters were killed].

Dubcek falls Why? The USSR ended with the arrest of Dubcek on August 28th 1968, who was then flown to Moscow for ‘talks’. What? The talks between Brezhnev and Dubcek essentially was a one sided discussion how Dubcek had betrayed socialism. Dubcek was forced to sign the ‘Moscow Protocol’ allowing the USSR troops to remain in Czechoslovakia and reintroducing censorship and removing political opposition. Significant? Dubcek’s experiment with ‘Socialism with a Human Face’ had failed. Dubcek was forced out of office early in 1969 and replaced by Gustav Husak.

The Brezhnev Doctrine Why? Brezhnev had to justify Soviet actions in Czechoslovakia as the world reaction was informally negative outside the satellite states. What? On 3rd August 1968, Brezhnev made a speech [which was publicised after the Czech invasion] outlining his view that it was the duty of Warsaw Pact countries to invade any Communist country who attempted to make any capitalist reforms. These actions, argued Brezhnev, threatened the stability of the Eastern Bloc and the Warsaw Pact. Significant? This commitment became known as the Brezhnev Doctrine and was used to justify the invasion of Czechoslovakia.

Reaction towards the Soviet Invasion of Czechoslovakia The American response was one of disapproval but inaction as they were distracted by the events in Vietnam. Western Europe’s reaction was condemning the invasion but provided little aid to Czechoslovakia. The invasion divided Eastern Europe with Romania and Yugoslavia allying themselves with China and East German and Poland welcoming the Soviet invasion. Western European Communist Parties were horrified at the Soviet invasion and declared themselves independent of the Soviet Union’s Communist Party.

Task – define the Brezhnev Doctrine

Task Construct a timeline of events between the Prague Spring and the fall of Dubcek. Can you find out what happened on the following dates which relate to the USSR invasion of Czechoslovakia. April 1968 – The Prague Spring May 1968 - June 1968 - July 1968 - 3rd August 1968 – - 20th August 1968 – 28th August 1968 – 17th April 1969 -

Plenary These collection of images of people involved in the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. Can you identify who is in each of the pictures and write what role they played in the Czech invasion.