Pressures on the USSR Revision Notes

Pressures on the USSR Revision Notes

Background:

• Under the rule of Khrushchev, the Eastern Europeans nations were allowed to form their own distinct path of socialism in exchnage for their loyalty to the USSR (Warsaw Pact and one-party state)
• After the removal of Khrushchev, Brezhnev cam to power - he saw dissent was to repressed by the USSR even if it requires force (related to the Brezhnev Doctrine)
• Brezhnev's aim was to stabilise the USSR domestically and internationally - however, discontent rose in Eastern Europe about their situation = Prague Spring, 1968

The crisis in Czechoslovakia, 1968:

• Brezhnev saw the stability of Eastern Europe as a vital source of the well-being of the USSR - it must be protect at all cost + economic progress must take place
• However, in the 1960s there were first signals of revolt in Eastern Europe over their situation (to be exact in Czechoslovakia) - Professor Ota Sik proposed reforms that are not in line with the plans USSR had in store for them
• January 1968 - Antonin Novotny resigned under pressure of the USSR and replaced by Alexander Dubcek
• Dubcek called for a "true invigoration and unification of all constructive and progressive forces in our Republic" - not in line with the distinct communsit path of the USSR
• In April 1968 - Dubcek announced Action Programme which stated the Communist Party's determination to achieve socialism on a distinct Czechoslovak path
• Late June 1968 - USSR, Bulgaria, GDR, Hungary and Poland met - concerned about Czechosolvakia's reforms
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