The Prague Spring Timeline

Alexander Dubcek as First Secretary

Jan 5, 1968

"5 January 1968 Stalinist party chief Antonin Novotny voted out of the communist party's central committee, and Alexander Dubcek (1921-), a slovak with a liberal reputation, replaced him as First Secretary of the communist party." -C.T. Evans

Antonin Novotny Replaced

Apr 16, 1968

"April 1968, Novotny removed as president, and General Jan Svoboda installed." -C.T. Evans

Beginning of the Prague Spring

May 16, 1968

"Prague Spring, "Socialism with a Human Face," as Dubcek ended censorship and instituted liberal economic reforms. Dubcek continued to proclaim loyalty to Moscow to avert a replay of 1956 in Hungary, but increasingly Soviet leaders became suspicious." -C.T. Evans

Warsaw Pact

Jun 16, 1968

"June 1968, Warsaw pact maneuvers held in Czechoslovakia." C.T. Evans

Czechoslovakia and USSR meet

Jul 29, 1968

"29 July 1968, Czech and Soviet leaders met at Cierna near the border to "discuss" the situation." -C.T. Evans

Warsaw Pact invade Czechoslovakia

Aug 20, 1968

"20/21 August 1968, Warsaw Pact invasion. The Czech army did not resist; although there were a few isolated outbreaks of fighting." - C.T. Evans

Brezhnev Doctrine Justification

Sep 25, 1968

"Brezhnev Doctrine (Pravda, 25 September 1968), justified the intervention." -C.T. Evans

Protests Against the Invasion

Oct 28, 1968

"28 October 1968, large protests occurred in Prague against the Soviet occupation." C.T. Evans

Husak Replaces Dubcek

Apr 17, 1969

"17 April 1969, Gustav Husak replaced Dubcek as first secretary of the communist party." C.T. Evans