What Happened in 1968 During the Prague Spring?

By Alice Nichols

1968 was a year of significant events that took place across the world. One of the most notable events was the Prague Spring, which took place in Czechoslovakia from January to August of that year.

The Prague Spring was a period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia, which was then under Communist rule. This period saw an attempt to reform the Communist government and create a more democratic society.

The Beginning

The Prague Spring began with the election of Alexander Dubček as First Secretary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia on January 5th, 1968. Dubček was seen as a reformer who wanted to create a more open and democratic society.

He introduced reforms such as freedom of speech and freedom of movement. He also wanted to lessen Czechoslovakia’s dependence on the Soviet Union.

Reforms

Under Dubček’s leadership, Czechoslovakia experienced significant changes. The media became more independent, censorship was relaxed, and citizens were allowed greater freedom to express their opinions. Dubček also introduced economic reforms that aimed to create a market economy and reduce central planning.

The Soviet Response

The Soviet Union did not take kindly to these reforms. They saw them as a threat to their control over Eastern Europe and feared that other Communist countries would follow suit. On August 20th, 1968, the Soviet Union led an invasion of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact troops.

Resistance

Despite this invasion, many Czechs and Slovaks continued to resist Soviet control. There were protests across the country, including in Prague’s Wenceslas Square. The protests were met with violence by Soviet troops who used tanks and other weapons against unarmed civilians.

  • Many people were killed or injured during these protests.
  • The Soviet Union did not withdraw its troops until 1991.
  • The Prague Spring was a turning point in the Cold War and showed that people could resist Soviet control.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Prague Spring was a period of significant change in Czechoslovakia. It saw an attempt to reform the Communist government and create a more democratic society.

The reforms introduced by Alexander Dubček were met with resistance from the Soviet Union, who invaded Czechoslovakia in August 1968. Despite this invasion, the people of Czechoslovakia continued to resist Soviet control and showed that change was possible even under oppressive regimes.