7 In September 1967, Alexander In January 1968 Alexander Dubcek 8 Dubcek, a key Communist, became the new leader of the presented a long list of problems Communist Party in with the Czech government. This Czechoslovakia. Dubcek stated: led to many demonstrations "We shall have to remove against the existing leader of everything that strangles artistic Czechoslovakia, Novotny. and scientific creativeness." He promised the Czech people, “Communism with a human face” 9 During February 1968, Dubcek In April 1968 the Communist Party 10 announced a series of reforms. This of Czechoslovakia said that included the abolition of censorship members would no longer be and the right of citizens to criticize forced to be obedient to party the government. Newspapers policy. Instead it declared that began publishing revelations about each member "has not only the corruption in high places, including right, but the duty to act according the president, Novotny. to his conscience." 11 Jan Palach had always been In August, Dubček assured Moscow 12 interested in politics, but during that Czechoslovakia would remain 1968 his interest grew. In the spring in the Warsaw Pact and that they of 1968 he attended many had nothing to worry about with discussion sessions and student regards to the reforms. Meanwhile meetings. he allowed farmers to form and suggested that opposition parties could be set up. 13 On 3rd August Brezhnev stated that On the night of August 20th/21st 14 the USSR would intervene in any 1968, 500,000 Warsaw Pact troops country trying to end Communism invaded Czechoslovakia. The (Brezhnev Doctrine). Hard-line invasion was nearly bloodless and Communist leaders in Europe wrote there was very little resistance from to Brezhnev in Russia, demanding the Czech people. he stopped the reforms in Czechoslovakia. 15 The reforms of Dubček were During autumn of 1968 Prague 16 abandoned. He was arrested and radio broadcast demands for sent to Moscow. Here he was told passive resistance – secret what was expected of broadcasters showed the world Czechoslovakia and he was what was happening until they released and sent back to Prague. were discovered and silenced.
7 In September 1967, Alexander Dubcek, a key Communist, presented a long list of problems with the Czech government. This led to many demonstrations against the existing leader of Czechoslovakia, Novotny. In January 1968 Alexander Dubcek became the new leader of the Communist Party in Czechoslovakia. Dubcek stated: "We shall have to remove everything that strangles artistic and scientific creativeness." He promised the Czech people, “Communism with a human face” 8 9 During February 1968, Dubcek announced a series of reforms. This included the abolition of censorship and the right of citizens to criticize the government. Newspapers began publishing revelations about corruption in high places, including the president, Novotny. In April 1968 the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia said that members would no longer be forced to be obedient to party policy. Instead it declared that each member "has not only the right, but the duty to act according to his conscience." 10 11 Jan Palach had always been interested in politics, but during 1968 his interest grew. In the spring of 1968 he attended many discussion sessions and student meetings. In August, Dubček assured Moscow that Czechoslovakia would remain in the Warsaw Pact and that they had nothing to worry about with regards to the reforms. Meanwhile he allowed farmers to form and suggested that opposition parties could be set up. 12 13 On 3rd August Brezhnev stated that the USSR would intervene in any country trying to end Communism (Brezhnev Doctrine). Hard-line Communist leaders in Europe wrote to Brezhnev in Russia, demanding he stopped the reforms in Czechoslovakia. On the night of August 20th/21st 1968, 500,000 Warsaw Pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia. The invasion was nearly bloodless and there was very little resistance from the Czech people. 14 15 The reforms of Dubček were abandoned. He was arrested and sent to Moscow. Here he was told what was expected of Czechoslovakia and he was released and sent back to Prague. During autumn of 1968 Prague radio broadcast demands for passive resistance – secret broadcasters showed the world what was happening until they were discovered and silenced. 16