Czechoslovakia: ‘The Prague Spring’, 1968

Background Pague is the capital of Czechoslovakia, a nation formed as part of the Treaty of Versailles.

Background 1948: Czechoslovakia becomes a communist state (thru a coup that killed a democratically elected leader: Jan Masaryk) By 1967, many people felt their communist leaders were out of touch with the problems they were facing Standard of living was falling Trade was doing badly People who publically disagreed with the government were put into prison Leaders of student demonstrations were beaten

Prague Spring January 1968, new leader of the Czech communist party was elected: Alexander Dubček He replaced the cruel and repressive leader Antonin Novotny Dubček brought reforms

Prague Spring reforms Relaxed government control of industry – left decision making to managers and workers Ended censorship of the press Czech’s were free to travel to other countries Czech’s were allowed to hold political meetings inside Czechoslovakia The Communist Party held meetings with non communists With these reforms, they never said they would leave the Warsaw pact

Reaction of the USSR Brezhnev (who had replaced Khrushchev in October ‘64) was alarmed by what was happening Soviet’s held military exercises near Czech border Warsaw pact countries held military exercises inside Czechoslovakia Dubček met with Brezhnev and other communist leaders, promising that the Communists would remain in control, they would remain in the Warsaw pact and that the Czech press would not criticise the USSR

Reaction of the USSR Brezhnev was not convinced and was afraid that Dubček’s reforms might be copied by other Eastern Bloc countries Both Romania and Yugoslavia assured Dubček of their support Bulgarian leader, Zhivkov, first suggested using Warsaw Troops & was backed up by East German leader

Brezhnev acts August 21st 1968, 500 000 Warsaw pact troops marched in and took control of Prague and other Czech cities Dubček was captured and sent to Moscow (in the USSR) Reforms of the ‘Prague Spring’ were cancelled before Dubček was allowed to return to Czech Eventually Dubček was replaced as leader by Gustav Husak

Jan Palach´s self-immolation On 16th January, 1969, in protest against the continuing occupation, Palach sets himself on fire. About a million people came to his funeral

Consequences Some 300,000 Czech professionals left for the West The whole nation was forced to approve the invasion Those who collaborated with the government received modest consumerist rewards Only a small number of dissidents remained China, Romania and Yugoslavia condemned the invasion

Key Concepts How was the Soviet response the same as it was to the uprisings in 1956? (continuity) How was the response different from the uprisings in 1956? (change) How did this incident impact the Cold War? (significance) think of the impact on Sino-Soviet relations…US-Soviet relations…

Détente Read the Handout on the Arms race and Détente. As you read, complete the handout and come prepared to discuss next class.

USSR: Brezhnev Era Economic Stagnation Years of poor harvests lead to morale and productivity declines Consumer goods limited and poor quality Thriving ‘black market’ 25% GNP spent on military (missile gap)

Dissent in USSR Samizdat Tamizdat Minorities and non-Russians Self-published illegal pamphlets distributed in USSR Tamizdat Smuggled illegal pamphlets published abroad Minorities and non-Russians Using Helsinki Accords 1975 to advocate for equal treatment

Political Stagnation Gerontocracy: rule by elderly Very conservative No new ideas or leaders “stability” meant stagnation

Foreign Policy Challenges Brezhnev Doctrine – limited sovereignty Keep communist regimes in place, protect from internal and external threats Détente: SALT Arms limitation Role in Angolan revolution, Somalia, Mozambique

Afghanistan 1979 - 1989 Rebel forces, Mujahideen, oppose PDPA Mujahideen assassinate PDPA leaders, Soviet advisors…civil war brewing Invasion to support PDPA, invoking Brezhnev Doctrine 10 year intervention, 10,000s lives lost “USSR’s Vietnam” CIA supported Mujahadeen

Andropov and Chernenko Brezhnev dies 1982 Continuation of much the same policies Supported suppression of Polish Solidarity movement Poor relations with USA Gorbachev takes power in 1985

Gorbachev, 1985-1989 54 = young and vital! Reformer Sought to repair an ailing system “the worst time for a regime to reform is when it is in crisis”

Gorbachev’s Reforms Decreased alcohol consumption (lost tax revenue) Perestroika: Economy Decentralize planning, end price controls Glasnost: Politics Open to criticism, dissidents rehabilitated Demokratiztsiya

Gorbachev’s Foreign Policy Satellites expensive! Renounce Brezhnev Doctrine Withdraw from Afghanistan Too costly, no clear objective Meet with Reagan Ease strain of confrontation INF and START treaties Reduce stockpiles and cost of maintaining arsenal

Consequences in Eastern Europe Satellites facing same problems Dissent, economic instability, shortage of consumer goods Local party officials (apparatchiks) concerned with Gorbachev’s reforms Fear losing control Nationalist movements gain momentum