"Prague Spring" - a revolution or a conspiracy?

The "Prague Spring" 1968 played enoughan important role in the history of world socialism. The definition of this historical process within a short period of time has changed significantly - the then "creeping counterrevolution" now has the name of a peaceful democratic revolution.

The most interesting is that the reform process,which was proposed by members of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, was severely suppressed by the military force of the Communists ruling in the neighboring countries-allies of Czechoslovakia under the Warsaw Treaty. It seemed that the "Prague Spring" was destroyed and finally forgotten, but its ideas became the basis of mass movements in the countries of the socialist bloc that followed in the 80s and led to a peaceful change of power and social order.

To begin with, it is necessary to understand whatmeans the term "Prague Spring"? Firstly, it can be said with certainty that this was not an ominous plan or counter-revolution of the right-wing forces with the aim of changing the state system in Czechoslovakia. Secondly, the idea of ​​an attempt by NATO member countries to separate Czechoslovakia from a socialist camp should not be taken seriously. Because in 1968 the main goal of the society in this country was freedom of speech and press, democratization of the regime, economic reforms and unwillingness to build communism under the Stalinist system.

Do not forget that it was the time of the 60's -a period of great hopes in the socialist countries, where the idea of ​​improving the existing economic policy was actively discussed. Czechoslovakia, in which among the creative intelligentsia and students' organizations there were bitter disputes and discussions about the country's further social and economic development, was no exception. Czechoslovakia at that time strongly lagged behind its Western European neighbors, and in all possible ways tried to eliminate this gap. To this end, various reforms were proposed, for example, economic reforms, which was supposed to create prerequisites for future changes in the political structure. However, as it usually happens, the impetus to change was the change of cadres at the top of power. Because of this conspiracy, A. Novotny was forced to leave the post of the first secretary of the Central Committee, whose place was later occupied by A. Dubcek, who was well acquainted with the members of the CPSU. It was from this moment that the "Prague spring" began its report.

After that, Czechoslovakia was relativelyquietly, in the country there were discussions about the future and the socialist revival of the state. Also, censorship was weakened, new public associations were organized, such as the Club of Non-Party People - "KAN", and many residents of the republic had a sense of independence and freedom. As for the government of the state, within the HRC the struggle for redistribution of portfolios was under way, which distracted the country's leadership from the planned policy of reforms. And that is why the power gradually passed to non-traditional political forces of Czechoslovakia.

In March 1968, the Central Committee of the CPSU sent aa document on the state of affairs in Czechoslovakia. It expressed anxiety about the manifestation of antisocialist sentiment among society and spoke of the need to repulse revolutionary actions. But Dubcek always said that the situation in the country is under the vigilant control of the party.

However, at this time in Czechoslovakia increasinglyhear the demands for the creation of an official opposition. Within the country, the professional suitability of most of the party leadership was actively discussed. Various performances and rallies were held, society was ready for counter-revolution, and A. Dubcek continued to remain inactive.

And all this did not remain without the attention of countriesWarsaw Pact, whose soldiers and tanks entered Czechoslovakia on the night of August 20, 1968. At the same time, Soviet military aircraft landed at the Prague airfield, and members of the KGB arrested the first secretary and members of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. And Prague itself, figuratively speaking, closed its doors. A general strike was declared in the city, all the streets were deserted. Residents of the Czechoslovak Republic did not respond violently to violence. and no shot was fired at the occupants. In total during the process, called the "Prague Spring", in Czechoslovakia, more than 70 people were killed, 250 were injured, thousands of people were thrown into emigration. This was the suppression of the "Prague Spring" - the second attempt at perestroika in the socialist camp after Hungary in 1956.

In fact, the organizers of the Czechoslovak reformswere against their country becoming capitalistic, all of them were convinced communists. They just wanted to create socialism "with a human face."