# Study Notes: The Prague Spring and Soviet Intervention in Czechoslovakia (1968) ## Overview of the Prague Spring The Prague Spring was a period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia during 1968 under the leadership of Alexander Dubček. It aimed to create "socialism with a human face" by introducing reforms such as freedom of speech, political pluralism, and economic decentralization. However, these reforms alarmed the Soviet Union, which feared the destabilization of its control over Eastern Europe. ### Key Features of the Prague Spring - **Reforms Introduced:** - Greater freedom of speech and press. - Political pluralism, with over 70 political organizations seeking registration. - Economic reforms to decentralize the economy. - **Public Support:** - A referendum in July 1968 showed that 89% of the population supported the Communist leadership, favoring socialism over capitalism. - Alexander Dubček emerged as a popular leader. Remember that the Prague Spring was not an attempt to abandon socialism but to reform it. One of the most popular organizations during this time was the "Club 231," named after Article 231 of the Criminal Code, which punished anti-socialist activities. --- ## Soviet Concerns and Reactions The Soviet Union viewed the Prague Spring as a threat to the socialist bloc and its ideological foundations. The Kremlin feared that similar reforms could spread to other Eastern Bloc countries, such as Poland, Romania, and Yugoslavia. ### Soviet Options for Response 1. **Diplomatic Pressure:** Convince Dubček to abandon reforms and return to a pro-Soviet policy. 2. **Regime Change:** Replace Dubček with a more loyal, pro-Soviet leadership. 3. **Military Intervention:** Invade Czechoslovakia to suppress the reforms. Initially, the Soviet leadership attempted diplomatic measures, but Dubček's refusal to reverse the reforms led to the decision for military intervention. It is often misunderstood that the Soviet Union immediately resorted to military action. In reality, they explored other options first. --- ## The Invasion of Czechoslovakia On August 20, 1968, the Soviet Union, along with other Warsaw Pact countries, launched a military invasion of Czechoslovakia to halt the Prague Spring reforms. ### Key Events of the Invasion - **Preparation:** - Soviet intelligence operatives disguised as tourists and businessmen infiltrated Czechoslovakia. - Propaganda campaigns claimed that counter-revolutionaries were threatening socialism in the country. - Military exercises were conducted on Czechoslovak territory under the guise of training. - **Execution:** - The invasion involved troops from five Warsaw Pact countries: the Soviet Union, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, and East Germany (though East German troops were held in reserve). - Approximately 200,000 troops and 2,000 tanks entered Czechoslovakia. - A Soviet plane feigned an emergency landing at a Prague airport, allowing paratroopers to seize control of the facility. The invasion was justified by the Soviets as a response to a request for help from "healthy forces" within the Czechoslovak Communist Party. During the invasion, Soviet propaganda falsely claimed that American tanks had been spotted near Prague. These turned out to be movie props for a World War II film. --- ## Resistance and Aftermath Despite the overwhelming military presence, the Czechoslovak people resisted the invasion through non-violent means. ### Forms of Resistance - **Civil Disobedience:** - Citizens built barricades and removed street signs to confuse Soviet troops. - Slogans like "Lenin, wake up! Brezhnev has gone mad!" appeared on walls. - **Media Resistance:** - Radio stations broadcast anti-occupation messages until they were shut down. - **International Protests:** - Seven Soviet citizens staged a protest in Moscow's Red Square, holding banners that read, "For your freedom and ours." Non-violent resistance can be a powerful tool against military aggression, as demonstrated by the Czechoslovak people. It is often assumed that there was no resistance to the invasion. In reality, resistance was widespread but non-violent. ### Casualties and Emigration - **Czechoslovak Losses:** - 108 civilians killed and around 500 injured. - **Soviet Losses:** - 12 soldiers killed in combat, with additional non-combat casualties. - **Emigration:** - Over 300,000 Czechoslovaks emigrated, seeking refuge from the oppressive regime. --- ## The Moscow Protocol and "Normalization" Following the invasion, the Soviet Union forced Czechoslovak leaders to sign the Moscow Protocol, which effectively ended the Prague Spring. ### Key Provisions of the Moscow Protocol - Reversal of democratic reforms. - Restoration of censorship. - Permanent stationing of Soviet troops in Czechoslovakia. The term "normalization" was used by Soviet officials to describe the process of re-establishing pro-Soviet control in Czechoslovakia. --- ## The Brezhnev Doctrine The Soviet Union justified its actions in Czechoslovakia through the Brezhnev Doctrine, which stated that the sovereignty of socialist countries was subordinate to the interests of the socialist bloc. ### Key Points of the Doctrine - Socialist countries must not deviate from the principles of Marxism-Leninism. - The Soviet Union had the right to intervene if socialism was threatened in any Eastern Bloc country. The Brezhnev Doctrine became the cornerstone of Soviet foreign policy in Eastern Europe for the next 15 years. The Brezhnev Doctrine was later invoked to justify the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. --- ## Legacy of the Prague Spring The Prague Spring and its suppression had far-reaching consequences for both Czechoslovakia and the broader socialist bloc. ### Impact on Czechoslovakia - **Political Repression:** Reformist leaders were removed, and pro-Soviet officials took control. - **Public Disillusionment:** Many citizens lost faith in socialism and the Soviet Union. - **Cultural Resistance:** The events inspired a wave of underground literature and art. ### Impact on the Soviet Union - **International Condemnation:** The invasion damaged the Soviet Union's reputation globally. - **Domestic Dissent:** The invasion led to increased opposition among Soviet intellectuals and dissidents. The Prague Spring is often seen as a precursor to the eventual collapse of Soviet control in Eastern Europe. --- ## Key Takeaways - The Prague Spring was a bold attempt to reform socialism in Czechoslovakia, but it was ultimately crushed by Soviet military intervention. - The Soviet Union's actions were driven by fears of losing control over the Eastern Bloc. - The Brezhnev Doctrine justified the suppression of reforms in Czechoslovakia and became a key element of Soviet foreign policy. - The events of 1968 left a lasting legacy of resistance and disillusionment, both in Czechoslovakia and the broader socialist world. ### Practice Questions: 1. What were the main goals of the Prague Spring reforms? 2. How did the Soviet Union justify its invasion of Czechoslovakia? 3. What forms of resistance did the Czechoslovak people use against the invasion? 4. Explain the significance of the Brezhnev Doctrine.