Velvet Revolution

The "Velvet Revolution" (Czech: sametová revoluce, Slovak: ne?ná revolúcia) (November 16 - December 29 1989) refers to a bloodless revolution in Czechoslovakia that saw the overthrow of the communist government there.

Political situation prior to the revolution

Czechoslovakia was ruled by the Communist Party from February 25, 1948. There was no opposition. Dissidents (notably Charter 77) published home-made periodicals (samizdat), but they faced persecution from the secret police, and the general public was afraid to support them. A person could be dismissed from their job or school, or have their books or movies banned for having a "negative attitude to socialist regime." This included: being a child of a former entrepreneur or non-Communist politician, having family members in exile, supporting Alexander Dub?ek, opposing Soviet military occupation, promoting religion, boycotting rigged parliamentary elections, signing Charter 77 or associating with those who did. These rules were easy to enforce as all schools, media and businesses belonged to the state and were under direct supervision.

Related Topics:
Charter 77 - Samizdat - Alexander Dub?ek

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This changed gradually after the introduction of Mikhail Gorbachev's Perestroika in 1985. The Czechoslovak Communist leadership verbally supported Perestroika, but did little to institute real changes, and speaking of the Prague Spring of 1968 was still a taboo. 1988 (see e.g. the Candle Demonstration) and 1989 saw the first anti-governmental demonstrations, which were repressed by the police.

Related Topics:
Mikhail Gorbachev - Perestroika - 1985 - Prague Spring - 1968 - Candle Demonstration

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The actual impetus for the revolution came from the developments in neighboring countries ? by November 16, all neighboring countries of Czechoslovakia, except the Soviet Union, got rid of the Communist rule, the Berlin Wall fell on November 9, and the citizens of Czechoslovakia could see all these events everyday on TV (both foreign and domestic). The Soviet Union also supported a change in the ruling elite of Czechoslovakia, although they did not anticipate the overthrow of the communist regime.

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