Prague Spring

:This article refers to a period of history of Czechoslovakia in 1968. For the music festival of the same name, see Prague Spring International Music Festival.

Impact of the occupation

Only vocal criticism from the democratic countries followed ? the reality of nuclear standoff in the Cold War meant the western countries were in no position to challenge Soviet military force in Central Europe.

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The occupation was followed by a wave of emigration (estimate: 70,000 immediately, 300,000 in total http://www.britskelisty.cz/9808/19980821h.html), typically of highly qualified people. Western countries allowed these people to stay and work without complications.

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The events of the Prague Spring deepened the disillusion of many Western leftists with Leninist theory and contributed to the growth of Eurocommunist ideas in the western communist parties ? leading to the eventual dissolution or break-up of many of these parties.

Related Topics:
Leninist - Eurocommunist

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A decade later, the Prague Spring lent its name to an analogous period of Chinese political liberalization known as the Beijing Spring.

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