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.

Situation in Czechoslovakia

Since the middle of the 1960s Czechs and Slovaks showed increasing signs of rejection of the existing regime. This change had been reflected by reformist elements within the communist party in installing Alexander Dub?ek as party leader. Dub?ek's reforms of the political process inside Czechoslovakia, which he referred to as "Socialism with a human face", did not represent a complete overthrow of the old regime, as was the case in Hungary in 1956. Dub?ek's changes had broad support from the society, including the working class. However, it was still seen by the Soviet leadership as a threat to their hegemony over other states of the Eastern Bloc and to the very safety of the Soviet Union. Czechoslovakia was in the middle of the defensive line of the Warsaw bloc and its possible defection to the enemy was unacceptable during the Cold War.

Related Topics:
Communist party - Alexander Dub?ek - Socialism with a human face - Hungary in 1956 - Working class - Eastern Bloc - Cold War

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Unlike other countries of Central and Eastern Europe the communist take-over in Czechoslovakia in 1948, although as brutal elsewhere, was a genuine popular movement and reform in the country did not lead to the convulsions seen in Hungary. However a sizeable minority in the ruling party, especially at higher leadership levels, was opposed to any lessening of the party's grip on society and they actively plotted with the leadership of the Soviet Union to overthrow the reformers. This group watched in horror as calls for multi-party elections and other reforms began echoing throughout the country.

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