Prague Spring Summary
The Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia was a period in time of political liberation by the Soviet Union after World War 2. It all begins when Alexander Dubcek was elected as the First Secretary of Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and replaced Antonin Novotny. Within the first few months of ruling, he had implied economic and political reforms. Alexander wanted to democratise the nation and to lossen up the tight control of Moscow, which held the nation's affairs. This however resulted in the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Soviet Union.Clearly, the Czeceh military couldn't stand up to the invasion, therefore they didn't resist. Dubcek was arrested, his reforms abandoned and then he was sent back to rule the country the "right" way. In April 1969, Dubcek was removed from office.
In June of 1967, there was critisim put upon Antonin Novotny, whom was the Party leader and was then replaced by Alexander Dubcek in October of 1967, since he had handed a long list of complaints against Novotny. Soon, Debcek started a reform of amendments that embarked greater individual freedom and political democracy.
He had created the movement known as the Prague Spring. This had consisted of reducing totalitarian aspects in the Czech Communist Party. he had given the members of the party the act of "according to their conscience." Dubcek also allowed the citizens to criticise the government. Many newspapers had taken advantage of this and published severe criticism about the corruption in the new government. In other words, under Dubcek, the Czech government had retained its original socialist economy , however ended media censorship, and gave greater freedom of speech and travel, and greater bargaining rights for trade unions.
He had created the movement known as the Prague Spring. This had consisted of reducing totalitarian aspects in the Czech Communist Party. he had given the members of the party the act of "according to their conscience." Dubcek also allowed the citizens to criticise the government. Many newspapers had taken advantage of this and published severe criticism about the corruption in the new government. In other words, under Dubcek, the Czech government had retained its original socialist economy , however ended media censorship, and gave greater freedom of speech and travel, and greater bargaining rights for trade unions.
Dubcek tried to reasure Moscow that Czechoslovakia was still part of the Warsaw Pact , which was a military alliance between the Soviet Union and several other Eastern European countries, and the reforms weren't anything to worry about. However the rassurance wasnt enough and on the night of August 20th/21st the troops of the Warsaw Pact invaded Czechoslovakia. The military of Czech didn't resist this invasion.
The results were that the reforms of Dubcek were removed and he was arrested and sent to Moscow. With his meeting with Moscow, Dubcek was told what was expected of Czechoslovakia and was then sent back, still with the postion First Secretary of the Party. He did as was required and announced that the reforms ended. His days in office came to an abrupt end in April of 1969.
The results were that the reforms of Dubcek were removed and he was arrested and sent to Moscow. With his meeting with Moscow, Dubcek was told what was expected of Czechoslovakia and was then sent back, still with the postion First Secretary of the Party. He did as was required and announced that the reforms ended. His days in office came to an abrupt end in April of 1969.
Cartoon
In this cartoon, a soldier is going to step on a plant that is labeled free speech. The soldier represents the Soviet Union and Russia and the little plant represents freedom of speech, which in my case was one of the reforms of Alexander Dubcek. The Soviet Union soldier is going to step on the freedom of speech because he greatly disapproves of it. The author in his opinion is that he also opposes free speech since he made that object small while making the soldier big.
Photograph
In this photograph, it shows the end of the Prague Spring of August 20th/21st in 1969. Czechoslovakia is being invaded by the USSR and Russia military.