Prague Spring

In 1968 the Czechoslovak communist party itself launched socialism with a human face, a reform movement ended by Warsaw Pact invasion in August.

Overview

Alexander Dubcek became party leader in January 1968 and lifted censorship, eased travel, and began economic reform, seeking democratic socialism inside the bloc. Press freedom and civic debate exploded in what was called the Prague Spring. Moscow feared the contagion of reform, and on the night of 20 to 21 August troops of five Warsaw Pact states occupied the country. Unlike Hungary in 1956 there was little bloodshed, as civilians surrounded tanks and argued with bewildered soldiers. Gustav Husak imposed normalization, purging hundreds of thousands from party and jobs. The invasion was condemned by several communist parties worldwide, and Charter 77 dissidents kept the reform memory alive until 1989.