Prague Spring

Question 1

What was life like in Czechoslovakia around 1968? Give one signal of revolution.

Answer 1

Stalin’s 1948 communist coup led to poor living conditions, for example, low wages and scarce resources. The government had carried out purges under Stalin’s orders in 1949-54, and there had been student demonstrations against the oppressive government in 1966.

Question 2

When had Stalin performed a communist coup in Czechoslovakia?

Answer 2

1948

Question 3

When had the Czech government carried out purges under Stalin’s orders?

Answer 3

1949-54

Question 4

When had there been student demonstrations against the oppressive Czech government?

Answer 4

1966

Question 5

When did Alexander Dubcek become leader of Czechoslovakia?

Answer 5

1968

Question 6

What kind of a leader was Dubcek?

Answer 6

He was a devoted Communist who believed, like Nagy, in “socialism with a human face”. The Soviets trusted him to remain loyal while popularising the Czech government.

Question 7

What actions did Dubcek initially take once he was in power?

Answer 7

He began to replace officials, without Moscow’s permission, and got rid of press censorship. In the eyes of his allies in East Germany and Hungary, he exposed the Czech people to the “infection of democracy”.

Question 8

What was the name of the programme, introduced by Dubcek, which became known as the Prague Spring?

Answer 8

The “Action Programme”.

Question 9

What happened in April 1968?

Answer 9

Dubcek announced the “Action Programme”.

Question 10

What was the “Action Programme”?

Answer 10

This was a programme which included a series of liberal reforms, putting Czech Communism on its own distinct path. While the Communists would remain in power, other political parties would be allowed a voice.

Question 11

When did Dubcek introduce the “Action Programme”/Prague Spring?

Answer 11

April 1968.

Question 12

Give at least 3 examples of liberal reforms put in place as part of the Prague Spring.

Answer 12

1) Censorship relaxed 2) Trade unions given wider powers 3) Criticism of government allowed 4) Centralisation reduced 5) Trade with West increased 6) More international travel freedoms

Question 13

How did Brezhnev respond to Dubcek’s “Action Programme”?

Answer 13

Hoping to scare Dubcek back into line, Brezhnev ordered Warsaw Pact troops to practise threatening military manoeuvres in Czechoslovakia in June 1968. A letter was sent, respecting Dubcek’s moves, but warning him not to go so far as to endanger communism.

Question 14

When did Brezhnev order Warsaw Pact troops to practise threatening military manoeuvres in Czechoslovakia?

Answer 14

June 1968.

Question 15

When did Brezhnev and Dubcek have the last of six meetings on the issue of his “Action Programme”?

Answer 15

July 1968.

Question 16

When did Warsaw Pact troops invade Czechoslovakia?

Answer 16

20th August 1968.

Question 17

How many Warsaw Pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia on the 20th August 1968?

Answer 17

500,000.

Question 18

What happened on the 20th August 1968?

Answer 18

500,000 Warsaw Pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia, ending the Prague Spring. Brezhnev had ordered the Czech army not to oppose the attack, but some brave individuals stood up to the forces. Dubcek was arrested and ordered to reverse his reforms.

Question 19

Why was Dubcek surprised when Warsaw Pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia in August 1968?

Answer 19

In July, Brezhnev and Dubcek had met for the last time of six, to discuss the issue of his “Action Programme”, and no demands had been made.

Question 20

When was the Brezhnev Doctrine issued?

Answer 20

September 1968.

Question 21

What happened in September 1968?

Answer 21

The Soviet paper “Pravda” outlined the Brezhnev Doctrine.

Question 22

What happened in Czechoslovakia in the aftermath of the invasion?

Answer 22

Dubcek was eventually replaced. The Red Army remained in Czechoslovakia, until 1990, to prevent any future sparks of uprising.

Question 23

What was the explicit message of the Brezhnev Doctrine?

Answer 23

It stated that “every Communist party is responsible not only to its own people but to the entire communist movement”.

Question 24

What was the purpose of the Brezhnev Doctrine?

Answer 24

To retroactively justify the invasion of Czechoslovakia that ended the Prague Spring, along with earlier Soviet military interventions, such as the invasion of Hungary in 1956. These had been meant to put an end to liberalization efforts and uprisings that had the potential to compromise Soviet hegemony inside the Eastern Bloc.

Question 25

What was the underlying message of the Brezhnev Doctrine?

Answer 25

The policy meant that no socialist country would be allowed to compromise the cohesiveness of the Eastern Bloc in any way, such as leaving the Warsaw Pact or deviating from Soviet policy. Implicit in this doctrine was the message that the leadership of the Soviet Union reserved, for itself, the power to define “socialism” and “capitalism”.

Question 26

Give 5 consequences of the Prague Spring and Soviet invasion.

Answer 26

1) Brezhnev Doctrine, Sept. 1968. 2) Yugoslavia + Romania condemned the invasion. 3) Communist parties of Italy + France cut links to Moscow. 4) East G. + Poland governments welcomed Brezhnev’s actions: they felt more secure in their power. 5) The UN’s attempt to pass a formal resolution condemning the invasion was vetoed by the USSR.

Question 27

What was the importance of the Prague Spring and Soviet invasion on the US’s reputation?

Answer 27

It seemed that the USA was keen to criticise and protest against the USSR, but was much less prepared to take direct action opposing its oppressive control of the Eastern Bloc.

Question 28

What was the importance of the Prague Spring and Soviet invasion on Eastern Europe?

Answer 28

1) Brezhnev Doctrine outlined September 1968. 2) Yugoslavia + Romania condemned the invasion. 3) East German + Polish governments welcomed Brezhnev’s actions: they felt more secure in their power.

Question 29

What was the importance of the Prague Spring and Soviet invasion on relations with the West?

Answer 29

1) Communist parties of Italy + France cut links to Moscow. 2) Western government were outraged and many made strong protests to the USSR. The UN’s attempt to pass a formal resolution condemning the invasion was vetoed by the USSR.