The Prague Spring was a period of
political liberalization in Czechoslo-vakia
during the era of its domina-tion
by the Soviet Union after World War II. It began on
January 5, 1968, when reformist Alexander Dubček
came to power, and continued until August 21, when
the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies invaded
the country to halt the reforms.
The Prague Spring reforms were an attempt by Dubček to grant additional rights to the citizens in an act of partial decentralization of the economy and democratization. Among the freedoms granted were a loosening of restrictions on the media, speech and travel.
The reforms were not received well by the Soviets who, after failed negotiations, sent thousands of Warsaw Pact troops and tanks to occupy the country. A large wave of emigration swept the nation. While there were many non-violent protests in the country, including the protest-suicide of a student, there was no military resistance. Czechoslovakia remained occupied until 1990.
