1. Czechoslovakia: ‘The Prague Spring’, 1968

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

3. 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

4. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

10. Brezhnev acts
August 21st 1968, 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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…

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

15. 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)

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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”

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

23. 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

24. 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