The Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968)
I can explain the consequences of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.
The Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968)
I can explain the consequences of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Brezhnev believed that Alexander Dubcek's Prague Spring reforms in Czechoslovakia were a threat to the Warsaw Pact.
- In August 1968, the USSR invaded Czechoslovakia and replaced Dubcek with Gustav Husak who reversed Dubcek's reforms.
- The Brezhnev Doctrine was used to justify the invasion, claiming it was necessary to protect the Warsaw Pact.
- The USA condemned the Soviet invasion but they did not intervene due to presidential elections and the war in Vietnam.
- The Soviet invasion damaged the USSR's relationship with other communist countries including China.
Keywords
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
Doctrine - a set of beliefs or principles
Satellite state - a country that is dominated by another country
Common misconception
All communist countries were members of the Warsaw Pact.
The Warsaw Pact was primarily a European military alliance so non-European communist countries like China and Cuba were not members. Some European countries like Yugoslavia were never members while others joined and then left like Albania in 1968.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
- Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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