Historical Background
What year did the Prague Spring, which was ultimately suppressed by the Soviet invasion, begin?
1968
Who was the Soviet leader at the time of the invasion?
Leonid Brezhnev
Which international organization condemned the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia?
The United Nations
Which Czech film director’s work from the period was heavily influenced by the events of 1968?
Miloš Forman
What was the primary purpose of the Warsaw Pact, under which the Soviet invasion was carried out?
To maintain military and political control over Eastern Bloc countries and counter NATO influence
Which Czechoslovak leader was in power during the Prague Spring?
Alexander Dubček
Name the Czechoslovak president who was removed from office following the invasion.
Ludvík Svoboda
Which major Western leader publicly criticised the Soviet invasion and expressed support for Czechoslovakia?
U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson
What was a common theme in Czech literature and art following the invasion?
Themes of resistance, repression, and the struggle for freedom
How many Warsaw Pact countries participated in the invasion of Czechoslovakia?
Four (Soviet Union, Poland, Hungary, and Bulgaria)
What was the name of the political reform movement that sought to create "socialism with a human face"?
The Prague Spring
Who was the prominent Czech writer and dissident who became an international symbol of resistance against the invasion?
Václav Havel
How did neighbouring countries like Poland and Hungary respond to the invasion?
They generally supported the Soviet action, as they were also Warsaw Pact members.
How did the invasion impact Czech music and theatre in the following years?
Many works were censored or suppressed, but also inspired underground and dissident artistic movements.
What was the key military strategy used by the Soviet forces during the invasion?
A rapid and overwhelming military presence to quickly suppress resistance and install a friendly government
What major event triggered the Soviet decision to invade Czechoslovakia in August 1968?
The reformist policies and liberalization measures introduced by Alexander Dubček
Which Czechoslovak diplomat was instrumental in negotiating the early stages of the crisis with the Soviet Union and was later replaced as Foreign Minister due to the invasion?
Jozef Smrkovský
Which famous French intellectual and philosopher publicly denounced the Soviet intervention in Czechoslovakia?
Jean-Paul Sartre
Which famous Czech artist used their work to comment on the political situation during and after the invasion?
David Černý
How did the Soviet military plan to justify the invasion to both domestic and international audiences?
By portraying it as a necessary action to suppress counter-revolutionary forces and protect socialist gains.
Which pact did the Soviet Union use as justification for its intervention in Czechoslovakia?
The Warsaw Pact
Who was the leader of the Soviet military forces in Czechoslovakia during the invasion?
General I. P. D. Hramov
How did the Soviet invasion affect Czechoslovak-American relations in the aftermath?
The invasion strained relations, leading to a cooling of diplomatic ties and a period of increased criticism from the U.S.
How did the invasion influence Czech cinema in the long term, particularly the New Wave movement?
The invasion led to increased censorship and a focus on themes of political oppression and personal freedom in Czech cinema.
What were the main types of military equipment and tactics used by the Soviet forces during the invasion?
Tanks, infantry units, and air support, with a focus on overwhelming force and rapid deployment to key locations.