Key learning points

1. After Czechoslovakia became a Soviet satellite state, people faced economic challenges and limits on their freedom.
2. From 1957, under the leadership of Antonin Novotny, standards of living declined and calls for reform increased.
3. Alexander Dubcek became leader in January 1968 and introduced a series of reforms known as the Prague Spring.
4. Brezhnev was concerned that the Prague Spring would weaken communism and Czechoslovakia would leave the Warsaw Pact.
5. In August 1968, a Soviet-led invasion removed Dubcek from power and ended the Prague Spring.

Keywords

• Consumer goods - items purchased by individuals for their personal use and enjoyment

• Secret police - government agencies that operate in secrecy to enforce political control; they often use covert methods to monitor, intimidate and eliminate perceived threats

• Hard-line - strict and uncompromising

• Reform - a change introduced to improve something, often a system or law

• Warsaw Pact - a military alliance of Eastern European countries led by the Soviet Union during the Cold War; it was formed in 1955 in response to NATO

Common misconception