Prague Spring, Hungarian Revolution, Solidarity Movement from "summary" of The World Was Going Our Way by Christopher Andrew
The events of 1968 - the Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia, the Hungarian Revolution in 1956, and the Solidarity Movement in Poland - were pivotal moments in the history of the Cold War. Each of these movements represented a challenge to Soviet domination in Eastern Europe, and each was met with a violent response from the Soviet Union. The Prague Spring, led by Czechoslovakia's reformist leader Alexander Dubček, sought to create "socialism with a human face." The movement called for political liberalization, freedom of speech, and an end to censorship. The Soviet Union, fearing the spread of dissent to other Eastern Bloc countries, responded by invading Czechoslovakia with Warsaw Pact troops in August 1968. The Prague Spring was crushed, and Dubček was replaced by a more hardline leadership. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 was another significant challenge to Soviet control in Eastern Europe. The uprising, sparked by protests against the oppressive policies of the Hungarian government and Soviet influence, quickly turned into a full-scale revolt. The Soviet Union responded by sending in troops to crush the rebellion, resulting in thousands of deaths and the installation of a new pro-Soviet government in Hungary. The Solidarity Movement in Poland, which emerged in the early 1980s, was a trade union-led resistance movement that challenged the communist government's authority. Led by Lech Wałęsa, Solidarity called for workers' rights, political reforms, and greater freedom. The movement gained widespread support among the Polish population, posing a significant threat to Soviet control in the region. In response, the Soviet Union imposed martial law in Poland in 1981, cracking down on Solidarity and arresting its leaders. Despite the violent suppression of these movements, they left a lasting impact on the people of Eastern Europe and contributed to the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union. The Prague Spring, Hungarian Revolution, and Solidarity Movement demonstrated the desire of Eastern Europeans for greater freedom and independence from Soviet control, setting the stage for the changes that would come in the years ahead.
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