The "Prague Spring" of 1968 plays a fairly important role in the history of world socialism. The definition of this historical process has changed significantly in a short period of time - the then "creeping counter-revolution" now has the name of a peaceful democratic revolution.
The most interesting thing is that the reform process, which was proposed by members of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, was severely suppressed by the military power of the Communists, ruling in the neighboring countries allies of Czechoslovakia under the Warsaw Pact. It seemed that the "Prague Spring" was destroyed and finally forgotten, but its ideas became the basis of mass movements in the countries of the socialist bloc that followed in the 80s and led to a peaceful change of power and social order.
First, you need to understand what does the term "Prague Spring" mean? Firstly, it can be said with certainty that this was not a sinister plot or a counter-revolution of right-wing forces with the aim of changing the political system in Czechoslovakia. Secondly, the idea of an attempt by NATO member countries to separate Czechoslovakia from the socialist camp should not be taken seriously. Because in 1968 in this countrythe main goal of the society was freedom of speech and press, democratization of the regime, economic reforms and unwillingness to build communism according to the Stalinist system.
Do not forget that it was the time of the 60s - a period of great hopes in the socialist countries, where the idea of improving the existing economic policy was actively discussed. Czechoslovakia was no exception, where among the creative intelligentsia and student organizations there were fierce disputes and discussions regarding the further socio-economic development of the country. Czechoslovakia at that time was far behind its Western European neighbors, and in every possible way tried to close this gap. To this end, various reforms were proposed, for example, the economic one, which was supposed to create the prerequisites for future changes in the political structure. However, as is usually the case, the impetus for change was a change in personnel at the top of power. Due to the conspiracy, A. Novotny was forced to leave the post of first secretary of the Central Committee, whose place was then taken by A. Dubcek, who was well known to the members of the CPSU. It was from this moment that the "Prague Spring" began its report.
After that, it was relatively quiet in Czechoslovakia, the country held discussions about the future and the socialist revival of the state. Censorship also weakened, new public associations were organized, such as the Club of Non-Party People - "KAN", and many residents of the republic gained a sense of independence and freedom. As for the government of the state, a struggle was in full swing within the CPC forredistribution of portfolios, which distracted the country's leadership from the planned reform policy. And so power gradually passed to the non-traditional political forces of Czechoslovakia.
In March 1968, the Central Committee of the CPSU sent a document on the state of affairs in Czechoslovakia to the party activists. It expressed concern about the manifestation of an anti-socialist mood in society and spoke of the need to rebuff revolutionary actions. But Dubcek kept saying that the situation in the country was under the vigilant control of the party.
However, at this time in Czechoslovakia, demands for the creation of an official opposition were increasingly heard. Inside the country, the professional suitability of most of the party leadership was actively discussed. Various speeches and rallies were held, the society was ready for a counter-revolution, and A. Dubcek continued to do nothing.
And all this did not go unnoticed by the Warsaw Pact countries, whose soldiers and tanks entered Czechoslovakia on the night of August 20, 1968. At the same time, Soviet military aircraft landed at the Prague airfield, and members of the KGB arrested the first secretary and members of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. And Prague itself, figuratively speaking, closed its doors. A general strike was declared in the city, all the streets were empty. The inhabitants of the Czechoslovak Republic did not respond with violence to violence. and not a single shot was fired at the invaders. In total, during the process called the "Prague Spring", more than 70 people died in Czechoslovakia, 250 were injured, thousands of people were thrown into emigration. Sothere was a suppression of the "Prague Spring" - the second attempt at restructuring in the socialist camp after Hungary in 1956.
In fact, the organizers of the Czechoslovak reforms were against their country becoming capitalist, they were all staunch communists. They just wanted to create socialism "with a human face".
