Edgar Morales Ortega A01213306

May 1966 complains that the USSR was exploiting

people.
Poor economy and no reform worked. Workers lived
in poor and had the most basic lifestyle.
June 1967 open criticism of writers union against
Antonn Novotn including Kundera.
October 1967 students demonstrations.


First Signs

Early 1968 replaced by Alexander Dubek.
He embarked in reforms and amendments to the
Constitution to bring back democracy and freedom.
He wanted the Communist Party as the leader but
without the totalitarian part.
Right for party members to challenge policies.
A New Leader

End of censorship and the right of citizens to criticize
government.
Newspapers published reports of government
incompetence and corruption.
Farmers gained right to form independent co-
operatives to be self-sufficient.
Trade unions given rights to bargain for their
members.
Dubek assured Moscow that this wouldnt affect the
Warsaw Pact and had nothing to worry about.
The Prague Spring

The night of August 20/21 troops from the Warsaw
Pact invaded to reassert Moscows authority.
Most from the USSR but Polish, East German,
Hungarian and Bulgarian troops involved to give the
impression the disapproval of the hole Warsaw Pact.
Military had no chance and there where no blood but
several committed self-immolation.
Dubek reforms abandoned, he was arrested and
sent to Moscow, where was told what they expected
from the country and was sent back.
The Invasion

When returning to Prague he cancelled all reforms,
however in April 1969 he was removed from office.
This proved that the USSR was not willing any
member of the Warsaw Pact to leave it.
This reaffirmed to the West that Eastern Europe was
oppressed and lacked of democracy.
The control remained until 1989.
Aftermath

The Prague Spring of 1968, History Learning Site
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/prague_sprin
g_1968.htm
Reference