Prague Spring

Who was Soviet leader in 1968?

What was the capital of Czechoslovakia and where the uprising originated?

• Bucharest

• Warsaw

• Prague

• Budapest

He was the ‘hardline’ Communist leader of Czechoslovakia from 1957 to 1968.

• Lenoid Brezhnev

• Antonin Novotny

• Alexander Dubcek

• Josef Stalin

Answer explanation

Novotný did not bring in reforms, despite Khrushchev's de-Stalinisation policy

By the 1960s, the Czech economy was struggling and the standard of living was dropping.

When the leader of the USSR, Brezhnev, visited Czechoslovakia in December 1967, he withdrew his support for Novotný because he was so unpopular.

Who replaced Antonin Novotny as leader of Czechoslovakia in Jan 1968?

Reasons why there was unrest in Czechoslovakia in 1968?

• High unemployment + weak economy

• Government repression

• Censorship + No freedom of speech

Answer explanation

By the 1960s there was growing discontent mainly due to inflation , food shortages and falling living standards, despite the fact that Czechoslovakia had the strongest industry in the Eastern bloc.

The workers remained in poor housing and had the most basic of lifestyles.

What changes did Dubcek introduce?

• Legalised political opposition parties

• Relaxation of government censorship

• Greater freedom of speech

• Curtailing powers of the secret police

• Easing of travel restrictions

In what ways did Dubcek remain ‘loyal’ to the Eastern bloc?

• He would join NATO

• He would not follow an independent foreign policy

• The Czechs would remain in the Warsaw Pact

• He would maintain the Czech alliance with the USSR

Dubcek said he wanted to introduce a softer type of communism called "socialism with a ______ ____"

Answer explanation

That meant keeping the socialist model of government but guaranteeing a better delivery of goods, services and freedoms to the Czech people.

Why were other communist Eastern bloc leaders concerned about Dubcek’s reforms?

• They represented a return to Stalinism

• They were a threat to communism

• They would lead to Western military intervention in Eastern bloc affairs

• They would be under pressure to do the same in their country

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Prague Spring

How did Brezhnev respond to the Prague Spring?

• Invaded with 500,000 NATO troops

• Invaded with 500,000 Warsaw Pact troops

• Invaded with 500,000 Russian troops

Answer explanation

Though 5 members of the Warsaw Pact were involved, most troops and tanks were supplied by the USSR.