Czechoslovakia was a Soviet satellite state and a member of the Warsaw Pact in 1968. Alexander Dubcek - the Czech Premier - spoke of reinvigorating Communism within Czech borders, by relaxing state censorship, introducing multi-candidate elections and permitting a greater degree of free speech. Collectively, his suggestions were known as 'The Prague Spring Reforms'. Dubcek envisaged the reforms as a way of making Communism more palatable to the populace - 'Socialism with a Human Face'. However, hundreds of thousands of Warsaw Pact troops entered Czechoslovakia to put an end to the reforms, with Dubcek sidelined. He was replaced by Husak, a pro-Soviet candidate. The package of reforms were halted. In the wake of the invasion, Leonid Brezhnev announced the 'Brezhnev Doctrine' in Pravda; this was a tacit threat to any member of the Warsaw Pact who threatened the stability of the union.
In this episode, we debate the impact / consequences of the invasion.
For terms of use, please visit www.versushistory.com
