1968 Prague Spring

The 1968 Prague Spring was a brief period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia, initiated by leader Alexander Dubček. It aimed to introduce reforms like increased freedoms, democratization, and reduced censorship within a communist framework. However, the Soviet Union and fellow Eastern Bloc countries viewed these changes as a threat to control and stability. In August 1968, they led a military invasion to suppress the reforms, re-establishing strict Soviet-style rule. The event is significant as it symbolized aspirations for reform and the limits imposed by Soviet dominance during the Cold War.