The Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968)
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the consequences of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.
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.
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, China, Yugoslavia, Dubcek etc.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which keyword describes items purchased by individuals for their personal use and enjoyment?
Q2.Which keyword describes consumer a change introduced to improve something, often a system or law?
Q3.What was Brezhnev concerned that the Prague Spring would lead to?
Q4.Complete the sentence with a keyword: Antonin Novotny was a communist and his government was very unpopular in Czechoslovkia.
Q5.Who was General Ludvik Svoboda?
Q6.Which of the following reforms were included in the Prague Spring?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which keyword describes a military alliance of Eastern European countries led by the Soviet Union during the Cold War?
Q2.Which keyword describes a set of beliefs or principles?
Q3.How many soldiers did the Soviet army have when they invaded Czechoslovakia in August 1968?
Q4.Why did the Americans not intervene in the USSR's invasion of Czechoslovakia?
Q5.Who replaced Dubcek as leader of Czechoslovakia in April 1969?
Q6.Which of the following were consequences of the USSR's invasion of Czechoslovakia?
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968), 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 Period study: Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.