Write a narrative account analysing the key points of the Prague Spring (1968) [8 marks]
In 1968, Alexander Dubcek became leader of Czechoslovakia. He was friendly with
Brezhnev, the leader of the USSR, however, he wanted to change communism to ‘socialism
with a human face’. These changes were to revitalise the depleted Czechoslovakian
economy and increase prosperity and the quality of life in the country. The young, scholars
and educated people welcomed the reforms known as ‘Prague Spring’, but the older people
and communist party members disagreed with the changes. Warsaw Pact country leaders
feared the reforms would inspire uprisings in their own countries, so Brezhnev, the leader of
the USSR, ordered Dubcek to revert to full communism. Dubcek refused, so on 25th
December 1968, Warsaw Pact paratroopers landed at Prague airport, and captured it,
allowing more troops to enter the country. Dubcek ordered people to not resist the
invasion, but scholars and young people did. The Soviets took over Czechoslovakia and
reimposed traditional communism on the country.
There was international outrage at the invasion, so Brezhnev gave a statement known as the
Brezhnev Doctrine, which stated that the USSR had the right to invade any Warsaw Pact
country where communism was being threatened, to restore order.
8/8
In 1968, Alexander Dubcek became leader of Czechoslovakia. He was friendly with
Brezhnev, the leader of the USSR, however, he wanted to change communism to ‘socialism
with a human face’. These changes were to revitalise the depleted Czechoslovakian
economy and increase prosperity and the quality of life in the country. The young, scholars
and educated people welcomed the reforms known as ‘Prague Spring’, but the older people
and communist party members disagreed with the changes. Warsaw Pact country leaders
feared the reforms would inspire uprisings in their own countries, so Brezhnev, the leader of
the USSR, ordered Dubcek to revert to full communism. Dubcek refused, so on 25th
December 1968, Warsaw Pact paratroopers landed at Prague airport, and captured it,
allowing more troops to enter the country. Dubcek ordered people to not resist the
invasion, but scholars and young people did. The Soviets took over Czechoslovakia and
reimposed traditional communism on the country.
There was international outrage at the invasion, so Brezhnev gave a statement known as the
Brezhnev Doctrine, which stated that the USSR had the right to invade any Warsaw Pact
country where communism was being threatened, to restore order.
8/8
