The Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968)
I can explain the consequences of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.
The Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968)
I can explain the consequences of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Brezhnev believed that Alexander Dubcek's Prague Spring reforms in Czechoslovakia were a threat to the Warsaw Pact.
- In August 1968, the USSR invaded Czechoslovakia and replaced Dubcek with Gustav Husak who reversed Dubcek's reforms.
- The Brezhnev Doctrine was used to justify the invasion, claiming it was necessary to protect the Warsaw Pact.
- The USA condemned the Soviet invasion but they did not intervene due to presidential elections and the war in Vietnam.
- The Soviet invasion damaged the USSR's relationship with other communist countries including China.
Keywords
Reform - a change introduced to improve something, often a system or law
Warsaw Pact - a military alliance of Eastern European countries led by the Soviet Union during the Cold War; it was formed in 1955 in response to NATO
Doctrine - a set of beliefs or principles
Satellite state - a country that is dominated by another country
Common misconception
All communist countries were members of the Warsaw Pact.
The Warsaw Pact was primarily a European military alliance so non-European communist countries like China and Cuba were not members. Some European countries like Yugoslavia were never members while others joined and then left like Albania in 1968.
To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: The Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: The Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Cold War crises, 1958-70 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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