by P P

Created on: August 07, 2009   Last Updated: August 08, 2009

The Prague spring of 1968 was a brief period of time when the government of Czechoslovakia, led by Alexander Dubcek, tried to loosen the strangle hold that the Soviet Union had on them and start a democracy. This ended with Soviet invasion and the removal of Dubcek.

The first sign that all was not well came when people complained that the Soviets were exploiting them, or taking advantage of them for their own selfish reasons. Then the people of Slovakia complained that Prague was imposing new rules on then and overriding their autonomy (self-government, independence). A weak economy worsened.

The Prague Spring of 1968 is the term used for the brief period of time when the government of Czechoslovakia led by Alexander Dubcek seemingly wanted to democratize the nation and lessen the stranglehold Moscow had on the nation's affairs. The Prague Spring ended with a Soviet invasion, the removal of Alexander Dubcek as party leader and an end to reform within Czechoslovakia.

The first signs that all was not well in Czechoslovakia occurred in May 1966 when there were complaints that the Soviet Union was using the people for their own selfish reasons.

This developed when people in Slovakia complained about the government in Prague imposing its rules on the Slovaks and overriding local government. A weak economy made the situation worse and none of the reforms that were introduced worked. The workers remained in poor housing and led the most basic of lifestyles. The same occurred in rural Czechoslovakia for farmers had to listen to the government rules about cultivation.

People hated the Czechoslovakia's party leader Antonin Novotn, so they replaced him with Alexander Dubcek. Dubcek wanted to amend the constitution, give personal freedom and restore democracy in Czechoslovakia. He let the communist Party stay in power, but reduced their power. People could challenge government laws. He also got rid of censorship and allowed government criticism. He also let farmers choose what work they wanted to do. Trade unions were given increased rights to bargain for their members.

Dubcek assured the Soviets that Czechoslovakia would stay in the Warsaw Pact. They did not believe him and sent troops of the Warsaw Pact to attack Czechoslovakia, who didn't stand a chance against the attack. Dubcek was arrested, but later released. He returned to v as party leader and did what the Soviets told him to do. This showed how paranoid the Soviet Union was of a country leaving the Warsaw pact. They thought the Warsaw Pact protected European communism.

1. The Prague Spring of 1968 History learning site Monday, September 15, 2008 April 26th 2009 http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/prague_spring_1 968.htm

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