How Similar Was The Czech Rebellion In 1968 To Events In Hungary In 1956?

by simonpreed (student)

Both Hungary and Czechoslovakia are examples of ‘Iron Curtain’ Countries who were dominated by the Soviet Union following liberation from Nazi control. During the 1950s and 1960s, both Hungary and Czechoslovakia tried to gain freedom from the Soviet Union. At a glance, these two rebellions appear similar, but on closer inspection are different in many ways.

The Czech Rebellion was similar to the Hungarian Rebellion as both countries wanted greater freedom from the Soviet Union as they began to feel oppressed by the Soviet Union. The situation was the same in both countries - wages were low and political freedom was virtually non-existent. Hungary and Czechoslovakia demonstrations were held. In Czechoslovakia, protests took place while more millitant protests took place in Hungary. The demands of both countries were also similar. Less censorship of the media, freedom of speech, the right to form new political parties and the right to greater freedom from the Soviet Union are just examples of the numerous demands of both coutries. In Hungary, Rakosi, the ‘hard-line’ Communist, was removed and replaced with a far more liberal leader, Nagy. The same then happened in Czechoslovakia twelve years later as Dubcek was instated as leader. In both cases, the Soviet Union did not approve of the new Reforms introduced by the more liberal leaders Nagy and Dubcek, resorting to sending in tanks and troops. As a result of this, the Reforms introduced were reversed.

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It is, however, possible to differenciate between the two Rebellions. By 1968, Khrushchev had been replaced by Brezhnev as leader of the Soviet Union. Brezhnev was far less liberal, continuing the policy of firm Soviet control of the Satellite States. The very reason behind the Rebellions was also different. It could be argued that the Rebellion in Hungary was due to the fact that political freedom was wanted, whereas in Czechoslovakia economic freedom was wanted. Czechoslovakia did not want to be totally independent, however, as highlighted by the fact they remained loyal to the Warsaw Pact as they wished to remain a part of it. Hungary, on the other hand wanted total freedom and wished to withdraw from the Soviet Union. This led to the demands of Czechoslovakia being somewhat different from that of Hungary as the Reforms introduced by Dubcek failed. He introduced the ‘Prague Spring’, signalling a ‘rebirth’ of ‘new era’ for the country, appearing to throw out the old, opressive Communist approach, instead replacing it, allowing the country to flourish socially, economically and politically. In Hungary there was a lot of bloodshed as the people fought back against the Red Army sent by the Soviet Union, leading to thousands of deaths. In Czechoslovakia there was little retalliation when, instead of the Red Army, the Warsaw Pact troops moved in. Although both leaders were removed, Nagy, former leader of Hungary was executed by the Soviet Union, whereas Dubcek was simply arrested.

To conclude, the Rebellion in Hungary was similar in many ways to the Rebellion in Czechoslovakia as the majority of demands were the same, as well as the action taken by the Soviet Union. There were, however, differences as the Rebellion in Czechoslovakia was far less millitant. Czechoslovakia did not demand total freedom as they wished to remain a part of the Warsaw Pact. Both countries became tired of the Soviet Union because what was first deemed to be liberation, quickly turned into opression. To prevent this from happening again, Brezhnev launched a self-titled Doctrine in which he announced that it was the task of all members of the Warsaw Pact to act together in order to resist an attempt by any member to abandon Communism.

Simon Reed.

11L.