Transcript 4. Web – Czech – Sep 30

KD Answers:
11. Compare and contrast the Hungarian Uprising and Prague.
Compare:
•
Soviet military intervention
•
Discontent with Soviet control – both economically and politically
•
Neither received help from the West.
Contrast:
•
Hungary planned to leave the Warsaw Pact but Czechoslovakia
didn’t.
•
The Soviets seemed to be more patient with Czechoslovakia before
invading but acted aggressively and immediately in Hungary.
•
Nagy was executed and Dubček demoted.
•
Hungarians resisted (thousands dead) but the Czechs didn’t resist.
•
Czechs wanted freedom of speech and additional political parties.
TOPIC #6: Czechoslovakia and the Prague Spring of 1968
Aftermath - Brezhnev Doctrine (Sept 1968) essentials of communism:
• a one-party system
• to remain a member of the Warsaw Pact
“When forces that are hostile to socialism try to turn the development
of some socialist country towards capitalism, it becomes not only a
problem of the country concerned, but a common problem and
concern of all socialist countries."
• Unlike Nagy in Hungary, Dubček was not executed.
• Dubček was gradually downgraded (ambassador to Turkey, then
expelled from the Communist Party and photographs showing him as
leader were ‘censored’).
• Czechoslovakia’s mood had been one of optimism. After, it was despair.
• Czechoslovakia became resentful of the Soviet connection, and other
communists alienated (China).
• Ideas that could have reformed Communism were silenced.
• 20 years later, Gorbachev, the leader of the USSR, questioned the
invasion himself.
Aftermath - Effects of Soviet-led invasion on Czechoslovakia:
• During the attack of the Warsaw Pact armies, 72 Czechs and Slovaks
killed, 266 severely wounded and another 436 were lightly injured.
• Alexander Dubček called upon his people not to resist. Nevertheless,
there was scattered resistance in the streets. Road signs in towns were
removed or painted over—except for those indicating the way to
Moscow.
PPQ 66. Why did the USSR invade Czechoslovakia in 1968? (6)
• The Soviet Union was very suspicious of the changes. The pace of reforms was too fast
and liberal.
• As censorship had been eased, attacks against the Communist leadership flourished
(grew), pointing out how corrupt and useless they were.
• Communist government ministers were ‘grilled’ on live television and radio about how they
were running the country and about events before 1968.
• Czechoslovakia was one of the most important countries in the Warsaw Pact (centrally
placed next to Germany with strong industry and resources that the USSR relied on).
• The Soviets were worried that the new ideas in Czechoslovakia might spread to other
countries in Eastern Europe (Domino Effect).
• There were also concerns about a new political party (Social Democratic Party) would rival
the Communists and undermine Communist control.
• The Soviets were also worried that the stability of the Warsaw Pact was at risk.
• Brezhnev came under pressure from the East German leader, Walter Ulbricht, and the
Polish leader, Gomulka, to restrain Czechoslovakia. He wanted to show affirm hand and
control unfolding events.
• The USSR worried that Czechoslovakia might turn to the West for help, both economically
and politically.
• On 20 August 1968, to the stunned amazement of the Czechs and the outside world,
Soviet tanks and Warsaw Pact Allies moved into Czechoslovakia.
• The Soviets were prepared for a violent response but there was little resistance. Many
Czechs, however, refused to co-operate with the Soviet troops.
• Ultimately the Soviets enforced the Brezhnev Doctrine - one party and secure membership
in Warsaw Pact.
KD ANSWERS:
2. Cold War thaw in the 1970s: (7)
There were a number of factors that led to a thaw in
relations between the USA and USSR.
Helsinki conference, August 1975 (or as Krish likes to say, Hell-Si-Nicky).
• All countries recognised the borders set out after the Second World
War, including the division of Germany. They agreed to respect
human rights – e.g. freedom of speech, freedom to move from one
country to another.
(Does that remind you of the Locarno Treaties of 1925? – p. 240)
High hand shake!
• American astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts met up and shook
hands in space. This was quite literally the high point of détente.
(What does this prove or demonstrate / why important?)
KD ANSWERS:
3. Why did the Cold War freeze again in the 1980s? (7)

After a decade of détente, the distrust and hostility between the USA and
USSR returned and witnessed another freeze in the Cold War in the 1980s.
Revolution in Iran:
The Iranian revolution changed the balance of power in the Middle
East and increased tension between the superpowers, who were
worried about how each other would react.
Civil wars in Nicaragua, El Salvador and in Angola:
Communist rebels (supported by Cuban and Soviet money and
expertise) tried to overthrow the governments of these states in South
America and Africa. The USA funded the governments against the
rebels. In Angola, the USA and the USSR helped to fund a long-running
civil war.
Human rights:
Jimmy Carter (US President, 1977–81) openly criticised the USSR’s
suppression of dissidents – people who spoke out against the
government in both the USSR and eastern Europe.
New nuclear weapons:
In 1977 the USSR began replacing out-of-date missiles in eastern
Europe with new SS-20 nuclear missiles. In response, President Carter
allowed the US military to develop the Cruise missile. By 1979 the USA
had stationed Pershing missiles in western Europe as an answer to the
SS-20s.
Collapse of SALT 2:
The main terms of the SALT 2 agreement had been set out as early as
1974. It was not until June 1979 that SALT 2 was finally signed. By
that time, relations between the USA and the USSR had deteriorated
so much that the US Congress refused to ratify SALT 2.
Afghanistan
In 1979 the pro-Soviet regime in Afghanistan was under serious threat
from its Muslim opponents, the Mujahideen. To protect the regime,
Soviet forces invaded. Western powers were alarmed and the USA
secretly began to send money, arms and equipment to Pakistan for the
Mujahideen. Portrayed in Charlie Wilson’s War
The Moscow and Los Angeles Olympics
In protest at Soviet involvement in the Afghan War, the USA boycotted
the 1980 Olympic games held in Moscow. In retaliation, the USSR and
eastern European teams boycotted the Los Angeles Olympics held four
years later.
Ronald Reagan:
In 1980, the USA elected Ronald Reagan as President.
Reagan made no secret of his dislike of Communism and the USSR,
calling it the Evil Empire. He supported anti-Communist forces in
Afghanistan and Nicaragua.
Reagan was helped by the fact that many of Europe’s leaders at this
time (including Britain’s Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher) supported
his tough line against the USSR.
His boldest plan was to escalate the arms race in order to end it. He
increased US defense spending by $32.6 billion.