Background: Czechoslovakia Before 1968
- After 1948, Czechoslovakia remained loyal to Moscow under leaders like Klement Gottwald and Antonín Novotný.
- Novotný's regime was marked by corruption and stagnation, causing tensions within the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (CPCS).
Dubček's Reforms: Socialism with a Human Face
- In January 1968, Alexander Dubček replaced Novotný, advocating for political reform.
- Dubček's vision, known as " socialism with a human face," aimed to balance socialism with democratic principles.
The Action Programme
- In April 1968, Dubček introduced the Action Programme, outlining key reforms:
- Freedoms of Speech, Press, and Movement: Including travel to Western countries.
- Economic Autonomy: Allowing enterprises to make decisions based on consumer demand.
- Slovak Minority Rights: Increasing autonomy for the underrepresented Slovak population.
The Action Programme was a bold attempt to create a distinct Czechoslovak path to socialism, challenging the rigid Soviet model.
Soviet Response: From Caution to Intervention
- Initially, the Soviet Union observed Czechoslovakia's reforms with interest.
- However, as reforms escalated, including the end of press censorship and talks with West Germany, Soviet concerns grew.
The Warsaw Letter
- In July 1968, leaders of the USSR, Bulgaria, East Germany, Hungary, and Poland issued the Warsaw Letter:
- Affirmed Czechoslovakia's Right to Self-Determination: But warned that challenges to socialism threatened the entire socialist movement.
- Called for Action: Urged Dubček to control "counter-revolutionary" groups.
The Warsaw Letter reflected the Soviet belief that individual reforms could destabilize the entire Eastern Bloc.
The Invasion: A Turning Point
- On August 20, 1968, Warsaw Pact troops, led by the Soviet Union, invaded Czechoslovakia.
