International responses to the Prague Spring
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the reactions of countries in the East and West to events in Czechoslovakia from 1968-69.
Key learning points
- Alexander Dubček's Prague Spring reforms were seen as a threat by other Warsaw Pact leaders.
- The USSR worried that Czechoslovakia might leave the Warsaw Pact.
- The USSR led an invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968.
- The Prague Spring reforms were overturned and Dubček was replaced with Gustáv Husák.
- The West opposed the invasion but was unwilling to fight over Czechoslovakia.
Keywords
Warsaw Pact - a military alliance of Eastern European countries led by the Soviet Union during the Cold War
Barricade - something that is quickly put across a road or entrance to prevent people from going past
Common misconception
The Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia created the risk of war between the superpowers.
The USA opposed the invasion but was unwilling to become involved in a military conflict involving the USSR and so limited its oppositions to criticism rather than taking steps to protect Czechoslovakia.
Teacher tip
Students could be given a card with some information about a country / individual and then asked to predict their response to the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. Cards could include: the USA, Poland, Yugoslavia, Dubček, etc.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Write the missing word. Czechoslovakia was a Soviet state.
Q2.Write the misisng word. In the early 1960s, there were frequent shortages of goods in Czechoslovakia.
Q3.Who became leader of Czechoslovakia in January 1968?
Q4.What name is given to the period in early 1968 when Dubček introduced reforms in Czechoslovakia?
Q5.Write the missing word. Dubček's reforms were described as ' with a human face'.
Q6.Which of the following was not a reform made by Dubček during the Prague Spring?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which military alliance was made up of Eastern European communist states?
Q2.Which communist countries supported Dubček's reforms during the Prague Spring?
Q3.How many troops invaded Czechoslovakia in August 1968?
Q4.What war was the US fighting at the same time as the invasion of Czechoslovakia?
Q5.Why did a meeting between Alexander Dubček and the Yugoslav leader Josip Tito increase Soviet concerns about Czechoslovakia?
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: International responses to the Prague Spring, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: International responses to the Prague Spring, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Wider Depth Study - Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945–1972 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.