History notes on the Pressures on USSR . Includes heavy detail on Sino-Soviet split, Prague Spring and Brezhnev doctrine.
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Course
Breadth study (2R)
Institution
AQA
Follows AQA A level history specification for component 2R the Cold War, c1945–1991.
Comprehensive notes on the crisis in Czechoslovakia and the Brezhnev doctrine; and Soviet and US relations with China. includes essay plans on analysis of the Sino soviet split- reasons, the extent and timelines...
KEY
BOOKLET 9 - Pressures on USSR 1964-1972: Purple= judgement/ analysis
The crisis in Czechoslovakia Red= limitations
Brezhnev doctrine Green= change
Sino relations with China Bc= because
Inc= increased
Essay Questions:
1) To what extent did the Sino-soviet split benefit the USA?
2) How far and why had relations between the USSR and China deteriorated by 1972?
3) To what extent did Soviet policies towards other members of the Eastern European
Communist Bloc change after 1962
4) Causes and consequences of Prague spring 1968
5) To what extent was Prague spring the most significant challenge to the USSR in years 63-70
6) How important were ideological divisions in the emergence of the SS split in the years 62-
68?
Why did Khrushy fall?
-Berlin Crisis and Cuban missile crisis- backed down + too volatile- brought USSR close to nuclear war
-failed to improve standard of living in USSR, disaster in reform of soviet economy
- want a new leadership to restore position of USSR as leader of communist countries- China
emerging power. breakdown in SS relations after 1956- Mao dislike him for criticism of Stalin
-By 1960s, USSR behind US militarily, technological and economic terms.
BREZHNEV- 1964
Vietnam War until 1973
Prague Spring 1968
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty 1968
SALT I 1972 and agreed SALT II in 1979
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan 1979
Reagan came to power in 1981
Changes:
-Under K, degree of freedom for comm states-own version of comm as long as loyal to war saw
pact. NOW, B. wants to re-assert its control and any dissent was to be repressed (crushed)
by force if necessary.
-more Stalinist
Czech crisis and Soviet responses:
1963- Economic downturns led to Czechoslovakians reconsidering relationship to socialism
and the Communist Party, which was seen as inefficient and corrupt.
CAUSE of Prague spring- make Czech prosperous again and more democratic and more civil
liberties
o Economic stagnation- by 1962, 0% growth in the Czech economy
- Not enough resources went into consumer goods, housing and transport, Czechs
were bitter that the USSR controlled their economy for its own benefit
o Tensions between Czechs and Slovaks
o Novotny unpopular (CP leader 1953-1968)- censorship of press ( intellectual
ferment) and lack of personal freedom for citizens. Refused to reform Czech and
embrace new tech so it fell behind economically and socially
, -1966: Professor Ota Sik proposes economic and political reforms eg End of centrally-
planned national economic targets, Individual enterprises allowed, workforce given more
power.
Gained support w intellectuals and the wider public.
-reject proposals and feel need to change Czech leadership to maintain comm gov.
Jan 1968- Alexander Dubcek becomes leader of Communist party in Czechoslovakia
• Charismatic advocate of political reform
• Declared the need for a ‘New start for socialism’, and ‘Socialism with a human face'
(meant removing state control of the economy and allowing freedom of speech.)
• Replaced key officials without Soviet approval
• Eliminated press censorship, freedom of speech- invites comm criticisms eg when
Khrushy did this= P + H uprisings 1956 increases ppls’ resistance to comm
Kremlin watch Czech CAEREFULLY CUZ specific threat for USSR- inspire other comm
countries and undermines authority of comm, relaxation of state control= relaxation of
ideological control and WESTERNIZING communism could lead to Czech being neutral and
leaving Warsaw Pact.
April 1968-Dubcek’s Action Programme:
• Czechoslovakia wanted its own path to achieve socialism
• Basic freedoms of speech, press and movement (including to western countries)
(potentially greater influence of capitalism in the comm bloc),
• freedom to economic enterprise (make decisions based on consumer demand not
gov targets, allows INDIVIDUAL business to flourish, seen as introduction of
capitalism in comm bloc- compromising comm),
• rights of autonomy for politically repressed Slovak minority
• Acknowledgement of non-party institutions such as trade unions
• Discussed trade with West Germany
June- Warsaw pact countries conduct military exercises in Czech to intimidate Dubcek
July- Warsaw pact issue ‘Warsaw Letter’- Summarised Czechoslovakia's right to internal
self determination, yet argued that challenges to socialism within one country were a threat
to the entire socialist movement and should NOT be tolerated
Dubcek response to talks w B (6 talks) .- he promises to repeal reforms but continues w his
liberating path to develop comm in a distinct way.
AUG 1968: Warsaw pact invasion- ALL except Romania. Biggest military operation in
Europe since 1945
faced no international action – some Chinese and Romanian protests but NATO did not feel
threatened.
----> china protest as a power play- attract and present itself as global comm power s f
present Chinese comm as different.
Czech Communist Party issue statement to people of Czech accusing Soviets of breaking
international law and treating them as subordinate rather than equal, demanded respect of
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