Existing comment:
CZECHOSLOVAKIA AS A MEMBER OF THE SOVIET BLOC
The end of World War II in Europe in 1945 heralded not only the defeat of Nazi Germany, but also the formation of two opposing blocs: U.S.-led states and those in the Soviet Union's sphere of influence. As part of a restored Czechoslovakia, Slovakia was to become part of the Soviet bloc. The country's post-war ruling regime was largely under the sway of communists who had scant regard for human or civil rights, and who then staged a power-grab coup in Slovakia (autumn 1947), and Czechoslovakia as a whole (February 1948).
After seizing absolute power, the communists immediately adopted punitive measures against citizens. Subsequent years were characterized by wide-scale repressions, 'show trials' that often ended in judicial murders or life-sentences, the destruction of churches, enforced collectivization, labor camps, and indiscriminate imprisonments. The 1960s brought the regime's partial liberalization, culminating in the Alexander Dubček-led communists aiming to establish 'socialism with a human face' in 1968, i.e. the Prague Spring: censorship was lifted, borders opened, pressure on churches eased,
economic reforms began, and Slovaks sought the federalization of a unitary common state with the Czechs.
This taste of democracy came to a bitter end with the August 21, 1968 invasion by Warsaw Pact troops. The Communist Party's reform- minded leadership was replaced by politicians that had no qualms about collaborating with the Soviets. Most citizens during this period of 'normalization' adapted to the new circumstances and avoided open confrontation with the totalitarian regime. Since the Communist Party could no longer count on genuine popular support after the brutal events of 1968, it instead sought citizens' compliance-apolitical and non-interventionist- in exchange for higher standards of living. Those who resisted this trade-off faced strict repressive control from the notorious State Security (ŠtB).
Technological lag, weak economy, and popular discontent led to the communist regime's weakening power. This incremental process culminated in the late 1980s-coupled with the international political situation-with a society-wide crisis. |