Prague Springs

        The Prague Spring was a period was a period of revolt and political liberalization in Czechoslovakia. The Czech Communist Party called for “democratization” of the political system. This has much significance to the Cold War as it deals upon the primary aspects of the communist/democratic struggles in Europe.

        The major countries involved were Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union. The major political leader involved was reformist Slovak Alexander Dubcek.

         On January 5^th 1968, Alexander Dubcek came to power in Czechoslovakia. The Prague Springs were an attempt by Dubcek to grant additional rights to the citizens and also an attempt at democrazitation. The result was a loosening of restriction on media, speech, and travel.

  

Alexander Dubcek (Prague Springs Leader)

          The reforms were not accepted well by the Soviets. The Czechoslovakian time period during this era was plastered by Soviet domination. The Soviets then sent thousands of their own troops and also Warsaw Pact allies to occupy Czechoslovakia. Many protestors met the oncoming onslaught of communist soldiers. However, on August 21^st, reform leaders were stripped of power and censorship was reintroduced. Czechoslovakia became occupied until 1990.  

        The result of the Prague Springs was not successful, as the democratic movement failed. After the invasion of Czechoslovakia, a period of normalization occurred where leaders tried to restore the political values prior to Dubcek’s reform. In April 1969, Dubcek was replaced by Gustav Husak, who worked to reinstate the socialist state.  

         Prague Springs had a large cultural impact in disserting the Communist government. It contributed to the growth of democratic ideas in Western communist parties that sought distance from the Soviets. Eventually, it led to the dissolution of many of these communist groups. Prague Springs has also had a cultural impact on current music, books, and sports due to its important on Czech history.