Opposition to USSR rule

Hungary 1956

• People didn't like loss of freedom of speech.
• Feared secret police.
• Had hard-line Communist leader.
• Started by intellectuals (from university).
• Wanted social reforms.
• Soviet tanks crushed rebellion but then withdrew.
• Allowed the new government to be formed.
• It looked as if Khrushchev would allow people to sort out problems.
• People wanted free elections and to leave the Warsaw pact.
• Khrushchev couldn't let them leave the Warsaw Pact.
• 1000's of troops entered.
• Many people killed and the resistance was crushed in 2 weeks.
• Khrushchev allowed some reforms but not leaving Warsaw pact.

Czechoslovakia and the Prague Spring 1968

• New challenge to Soviet domination.
• Dubcek was leader of Czech Communist party.
• He proposed "socialism with a human face" - less censorship and more freedom of rights etc.
• Had no plans to leave the Warsaw pact of Comecon.
• Czech opposition led by intellectuals from universities.
• There was relaxed censorship which meant that an attack could be launched on Communist leaders.
• Period known as Prague Spring because of all the new ideas.
• USSR worried this idea might spread.
• Tried to slow Dubcek down.
• Army training exercises on Czech border.
• Thought about sanctions but didn't incase Czechoslovakia asked from help from west.
• Held conference with countries of Warsaw pact which called on Czechoslovakia to maintain political stability.
• 17 days later tanks moved into Czechoslovakia.
• Little violent resistance.
• Dubcek removed.
• This lead to new Communist leader Brezhnev and Communist was defined to:
• 1 party system
• all countries to remain part of the Warsaw pact
• *As a result of this Albania resigned from Warsaw pact but Brezhnev didn't care because Albania was not considered important

Similarities

• Triggered by intellectuals from universities etc.
• Aims for social reform of Communism e.g. more freedom of speech.
• Both crushed by USSR tanks to show power.

Differences

• Hungary wanted to leave Warsaw pact - not Czechoslovakia.
• Only USSR involved in Hungary. All Eastern Europe countries involved in conference about Czechoslovakia.
• Leader in Hungary was executed but in Czechoslovakia they were only downgraded and expelled from Communist party.