The Collapse of Communist: the Czech Republic
The collapse of communism in Europe is the most epoch-making event at the end of the 20th century. The system that was founded on coercion, violence, and usurpation of civil liberties fell extremely swiftly. Thus, it is possible to state that the preconditions for the collapse of communism ripened for a long time and only the fear of Soviet tanks kept people from overthrowing this power earlier. The collapse of communism significantly changed the territorial, social, political, and cultural situation in the region and it greatly affected the Czech Republic, that was at that time a part of Czechoslovakia https://original-essays.org
After Stalin
Before turning to the situation in the country after the death of Stalin, it is necessary to note that the communist power came to the country after World War II. After the elections in 1946, the Communist Party immediately took over the major posts in the army, internal security, and government. In these conditions, there was Sovietization of the country with a subsequent culmination – a communist coup two years later. This fact denoted the beginning of the Cold War and complete power of communists in the Eastern Europe for the next 40 years. The period of Sovietization was highly tense and marked by political scandals.
After Stalin’s death, the communist regime started weakening its grip. Nevertheless, there was no complete de-Stalinization. It is despite the fact that about absolute de-Stalinization was declared in 1960, when Czechoslovakia adopted a new constitution, regarding which it was now a socialist republic. The republic faced great social and economic problems that resulted in leadership changes. 1968 was denoted by the appearance of Alexander Dubcek in politics. He became the leader of the country and a symbol of democratic changes. Freedom of the press made it possible to refresh the foundation of society. Censorship was abolished. The political evolution in Czechoslovakia gave hopes for the return of pluralistic society and democracy.
Nevertheless, unexpected changes occurred the same year, when the intervention of Warsaw Pact army stopped democratic reforms. The country experienced new political directives under the name of realistic socialism that were Brezhnev’s doctrine in reality. The consequence was that everyone who defended democratic reforms was removed from the political arena. This situation was similar to the one in Russia.
Liberalization
Great changes occurred in Czechoslovakia with the alteration in the course of the Soviet Union. These changes were connected with the election of Mikhail Gorbachev as the leader of the Communist Party. He led a number of reforms known as perestroika and glasnost and had a positive resonance in the states of the Soviet bloc. At that time, Czechoslovakia was greatly dependent on the Soviet Union and, thus, the country had the same reforms as were during Gorbachev's leadership in Russia.
Collapse
November 17, 1989 is an important day in the history of the country. This date was the fiftieth anniversary of the closure of universities by the Nazis in 1939. Students participated in a peaceful meeting that was dispersed brutally by the police. Such actions provoked resistance in the society. On December 10, 1989, president Gustav Husak resigned. It postulated the restoration of democracy, free economy, and return to the European space. It instigated the collapse of the communist regime in the state. In comparison to Russia, these changes were not violent. It became the most important event in the whole history of the country after 1945. Although Czechoslovakia faced serious problems, free elections affirmed the return of democracy and freedom. I believe that Beissinger’s argument about the reason of the collapse of communism is highly relevant to Czechoslovakia. Nationalism served as the major reason for this collapse and transition to a democratic society. Thus, it was the main driving force in the country.
In many ways, the 20th century was decisive for the Czech Republic. . There were a great number of events – from the victory of the Communist Party and the establishment of the communist regime to the proclamation of a democratic country in 1989. These events were highly important for the further development of the state.
