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