Before the Prague Spring - Cold War DOCUMENTARY

Our historical documentary series on the history of the Cold War continues with a video with the events before the Prague Spring, as we introduce the ongoing processes that brought about this rejection of the Soviet dominance in Czechoslovakia.
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#ColdWar #Czechoslovakia #SovietUnion #PragueSpring

[@befeleme]

I lived through this. I was 14yo in 1968, a starry-eyed and naive dreamer. The buzzword of the day was "socialism with human face". We were all so very excited about it; there was so much freedom in the air; the newspapers became more readable, TV became more watchable, new avantgarde theaters sprang up, formerly banned books were being reprinted; one could speak without fear of repercussions. And we did speak a lot! The iron curtain was almost lifted. But it did not last very long. A rude awakening followed. I spent the next 13 years in depression, and then finally escaped from the country. But that's another story.

[@starrycrown]

Same generation, but on the west coast of the US. There was a new feeling in the air around the world. You explained the atmosphere so well! A mini Renaissance! Wish it could have truly bloomed.

[@ericluffy7970]

Wow, so many questions. Favorite cereal?

[@befeleme]

@@user-mr4uo5mw9n "The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help." - Ronald Reagan.

[@befeleme]

@@user-mr4uo5mw9n I actually thought you were being sarcastic. It truly amazes me that there is still someone who truly believes in the infallibility of a government. Government consists of normal people. Some are good, some are bad. The fact that you yourself may be good and help people does not necessarily mean that everyone in every government in every country of the world behaves like that. And besides, you are not that good as you think you are, if you accuse me of lying without knowing anything about me, my life and my experiences. Actually, you have just proven my point. You have no idea what you are talking about. You are just another government minion convinced of his own righteousness and moral superiority.

[@bjornpellicioli162]

My grandfather was from the Sudeten land. He was happy that he moved to Belgium years before WW2 started. ❤

[@Chilly_Billy]

Fun fact: the great Czech hockey player Jaromír Jágr, one of the best wingers in NHL history, choose 68 for his player number in remembrance of the Prague Uprising.

[@Ah01]

From Czech point of view the 68 has very limited amount of fun facts..

[@viktornovomestsky3999]

As a Czech myself, I would like to thank you for covering this topic, so important for our country... As it was the brutal Soviet invasion in 1968 ending the period of liberalization, which has led us to the 1989 peacefull Velvet revolution.. And due to that action by the USSR, we were always worried about today's Russia and Putin, which led Russia to add the Czech republic in the official list of its enemies 1 year prior to the Ukraine war... So it consisted of the USA and the Czech republic in 2021 only, something we are very proud of:) Due to that experience, we were the first country to provide tanks, howitzers, attack helicopters and much more to Ukraine, making a way for the other countries to do the same... Even our PM was the first to visit the then besieged Kyiv on March 15th 2022, together with the Polish PM and Slowenien PM.. Due to the actions of the USSR in 1968, we are one of the leading voices in support of Ukraine, hosting the most refugees per capita in the EU (524.000 by a population of 10,5 million) and making sure Ukraine will prevail... Btw. in terms of GDP per capita, we are the leading post-soviet country, though Estonia is very near...

[@John-vp2jq]

Indeed, being on Russia's list of enemies with the US is a badge of honor. Authoritarianism cannot be victorious in this fight.

[@befeleme]

Unfortunately, to conflate modern Russia with the USSR betrays a geopolitical ignorance akin to comparing modern-day Germany with the Third Reich. Yes, the USSR had done much evil in the 20th century, but Germany had done far worse, including inventing the Marxist and Communist ideology that the Soviet Union was based upon. But you are not the only one who has fallen for the convenient lie of the Russian boogeyman. The reasons for the Ukrainian conflict are not as simple and straightforward as your mainstream media and your government wants you to believe. No matter what one thinks about Russia's invasion, there can be no denying that Russia was provoked into it. Ukraine is not the innocent party and the model of democracy you are being led to believe. Sending more money and weapons to Ukraine will only serve to prolong this unnecessary war, kill more people on both sides and wreak more destruction upon the country - but it won't change the final outcome. In fact, it will cause yet greater disruption to the peace and well-being of Europe, and may even lead to WW3.

[@janapech2025]

Not much to add to previous comments....well put. I was took matric age 18 in 1968, and saw the dark ages descent.

[@garymartinez7128]

A great historical what if of the 20th century. If Moscow allowed the Czech’s reforms to play out and the results were favorable, a much gentler transition to perestroika and glasnost would have been achievable. Their system would still be far behind the West but at least they would have been happier.

[@queenofdramatech]

My best friends were alive in Prague during the Prague spring! Their stories are beautiful and powerful. Also, the documentary/movie Burning Bush did a good job of portraying what happened post spring.

[@cdgncgn]

now you have the browns calling themselves democrats. If you dont share their beliefs, youre enemy of the state. And folks from ČT will spread falsehoods about you. Almost reminds me of Za císaře pána.

[@jesseberg3271]

You need to cover the fall of Khrushchev.

[@gate7clamp]

1968 was a crazy year

[@TomKroupa80]

This was an awesome episode for me, because I am Czech. Thank you for it. ... Also, David, good work with the pronunciation of the names. Almost every name was very close to perfect, I am giving you B+ :-). Plus is for Mr. Dubček, you pronouced his name like a native Czech:-).

[@TheColdWarTV]

"close to perfect" but only a B+?? This is a tough audience! 😂

[@mpky23]

Still better than finnish audience and names :D

[@agusti92]

@@TheColdWarTV we have a different grading mindset in the old continent :)

[@AB8511]

It was briefly mentioned that young Dubček lived for a while in Kirgizstan. Story went like this - before World War I his parents actually emigrated for work to the USA, where his father became communist symphatizer. After WWI they moved back to Czechoslovakia, where was Dubček born in 1921. In 1925 his father and others put his money earned in USA into this Kirgizstan venture, but commune did not prosper much, conditions were harsh, he lost invested money, stalinist purges were beginning and in the end his father asked for the passport to go back to Czechoslovakia. Somebody would say such experience would teach intelligent person something, but you can not really change true believer...

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Infuriatingly tragic but seemingly true.

[@user-ut5jq1pr4s]

Have been waiting for this video for many years, because there are no many detailed materials about these events. Thanks!

[@OTDMilitaryHistory]

Great backgrounder to the Prague Spring. I'm looking forward to the next video.

[@wiktorberski9272]

Nice to watch. Waiting for the next episode

[@EnzoFerrari63193]

David, there's another 'spring' quite unknown: the Zagreb spring in 1971. USSR didn't jump on that stage, but the uprising failed.

[@luisenriquearizmendi4771]

Gracias por finalmente dedicarle un video a este tema

[@lief3414]

Thank you, very cool.

[@stanislavstz]

Hey, the Bratislava Declaration was signed by Bulgaria, too. Also, this is a good place to mention that no matter how great this channel is, Bulgaria is the most overlooked Eastern Bloc country. And there is plenty to cover like Goryani guerillas (like Forest Brothers in the Baltics), the somewhat unique relationship with the USSR, the idea of uniting Bulgaria and Yugoslavia and their Macedonian policy, the rule of Todor Zhivkov, one the longest serving dictators in the Eastern bloc, the assassination of the Bulgarian journalist and dissident - Georgi Markov with a poisoned umbrella.

[@XhumpersX]

I would watch the shit out of a video on that.

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

It was informative and had sufficient historical footage about Czechoslovaka political, economic circumstances during the Cold War before Prague uprising. No one has the ability to hold a fire 🔥 bunch and an ice block with one hand...opportunities in attitudes are not remaining forever

[@Mrgunsngear]

Thanks

[@CanadianMemorials]

Great channel

[@ekmalsukarno2302]

The Cold War, can you please make a video on all the on-and-off military governments that Thailand has had throughout the Cold War. Please accept my request. Thank you very much.

[@marekhavrlik9851]

Hi from CZ! Well made video, I enjoyed it. I do not agree on the narative of why to go for supression through just Breznhnev. The matter also made divison among several politbyro and army high ranking officials and I was suprised to found out, that for Brezhnev military operation and ocupation were not the first picks how to solve it. Looking forward for the second part.

[@brokenbridge6316]

This was a nice idea into a pivotal even during the Cold War.

[@TheMagicLemur]

Would be great it The Cold War did biographies too - e.g. Vaclav Havel.

[@treadheadpete4770]

I just watched you on OTD, great discussion! I wirk nights in a Veterans Hospital in Canada, so once things are quiet , I will check out your videos, apparently you have 265 to help get me through a 12hr shift! I am looking forward to it!

[@TheColdWarTV]

glad to have you here!

[@bigcityragdolls]

As a russian, I am so sorry for that 😭😭😭 I wish my contry tried building a human-faced democracy nowadays 💀

[@XhumpersX]

The Russian military has no shortage of human faces these days.

[@vojtechkubinek6650]

I have my personal theory that onem of the reasons to why Novotný didn't have the support of Brezhnev is because Novotný was one of the staunchest allies of Khruschev when Brezhnev deposed him, so I think Brezhnev wanted to take a sort of a revenge on Novotný and because of that supported Dubček.

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Maybe a contributing factor of distrust. Still, probably not the main concern. It was clear socialism would erode if not propped up.

[@sourabhmayekar3354]

Nice

[@Hidensee]

Dupček's only mistake, was naivity point of view on rest of east Block...

[@Ali-bu6lo]

Interestingly the clips shown from Ceaușescu in the background are both from him meeting the Iranian officials before and after 1979 revolution. 16:55, he's meeting the Shah while 17:06 he's walking alongside the officials from the Islamic republic including then president Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani.

[@forensicdarling]

My father in law was a young man during the Pr a gue Spring. He was very stoic man and it took years for me to learn the truth of what was done to him for m erely attending a large protest. He was grateful his son was finally given freedom to travel one day. I met them all in Prague. And i was in love.

[@user-wi1xr4mn3z]

I really appreciate this channel, but I would love to watch material on latin america during the cold war. Here there are many videos about the events that took place in Europe and Asia. There were several tensions and unsuccessful revolutions and military coups in the countries of South America and Central America that deserve to be addressed.

[@imperatortravelblog]

An excellent documentary as usual. Just a small mistake - Romania's 1964 so-called Declaration of Independence was done by Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej, Ceausescu's predecessor who died in 1965. Ceausescu took command in 1965.

[@juancz4626]

My Grandfather was member of UV KSČ ( Central Commity of Communist party) during Prague Spring. It was crazy time from beging til end

[@toddvoss52]

Still waiting for Part 2

[@tompegorinno5141]

Spring looks good, eh? - some Soviet Soldier

[@skylineXpert]

the decades with skoda jokes. But not today. Skoda Is pretty decent

[@michaeldunham3385]

Was that because they were bought buy a German company?

[@MithunOnTheNet]

Thanks only to Volkswagen's takeover. Likewise with Lada's takeover by Renault. Otherwise both Skoda and Lada would have died.

[@ugencz8364]

@jnx2333 Because the whole company was outdated. They were lucky that they've somehow managed to release Škoda Favorit, which was a good car.

[@cdgncgn]

@jnx2333 they dont understand that the west came in to loot. And that is why ur living standard overall as well as freedom of thought didnt ge any better. They consider eastern block defeated and see the war spoils. If not, theyre ready to destroy you. Via proxy, coups, sanctions whatever. They brought war.

[@Henners1991]

Does David not offer input/corrections on the scripts? We know the writer of this series is a Russian speaker and that was quite prominent with the constant omission of "the" when talking about the Prague Spring here.

[@aaronjones8905]

Isn't it funny how those who claim to be "for the people" refuse to listen to those very same people? To his credit, Dubcek seems to have been willing to enact policies that truly benefitted people regardless of their ideological purity. We can forgive his misbegotten idealism.

[@paulmattt]

13:40 You forgot about student revolt in neighboring Poland.

[@pyeitme508]

😳 wow

[@giganosaurus7777]

0:45 idk why but for some reason I head the Mexican was alarm and I was about to run out of my house rn lol

[@Nobody.exe50]

thanks for thr mention of the mexican students again

[@bigsarge2085]

👍👍

[@dragoncz453]

It is interesting to hear the history of my country on an English speaking channel.

[@DMU386]

I really enjoy learning your country and its amazing history. From Bohemia and Moravia Silesia up to the first and second world wars. Its all so interesting. And people seem to forget or rather probably dont know that after 1933, Czechoslovakia really remained the only functioning democracy in Central Europe, organized as a parliamentary republic. I hope to visit to one day. Respect from New York City ✌️

[@seansanchez1245]

Jagr!

[@ColdHighway7]

Makes me wonder why Dubček signed that agreement in the first place. He had to have figured that his line of thinking was going to draw anger from the outside. Would be a good alt history if he refused to sign it and then moved Czechoslovakia closer to Tito's Yugoslavia

[@ugencz8364]

He was quite naive, that's why. Other countries would still invade us, like it was in 1938. Our word wouldn't probably matter.

[@johnpoole3871]

I am sure Brezhnev will ultimately come around and support Dubcek in fraternal socialist solidarity no matter what. No spoilers please.

[@davidknichal6629]

Actually Brezhnev was not the one who wanted to invade Czechoslovakia. It was Honecker, DDR president who was afraid of the impact Prague spring could have on the communism in East Germany and rightly so

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

@davidknichal6629 among others too probably.

[@davidknichal6629]

@@robertortiz-wilson1588 of course

[@dragosbecheru839]

In 1964 Ceausescu wasn't yet in power. It was still the leadership of Dej and Stoica.

[@stealmysunshine]

I find it strange now hearing the name Czechoslovakia, as it has been the Czech Republic and Slovakia for longer in my lifetime than it was Czechoslovakia.

[@Pidalin]

75 years Czechoslovakia and 34 years of Czech Republic, that's why many people still remember Czechoslovakia more. Protectorate during WWII was illegal, we don't consider it to be a country, it was still Czechoslovakia with legal government in exile in the UK.

[@samwill7259]

Makes your ideology look REALLY good when you have to meet social unrest with tanks (Good thing our modern, Western nations always respond reasonably and peacefully to social unrest, right?)

[@Voitilus]

I prefer western countries sending military to serious situations than communist countries sending armored militia troops and declaring martial law to take on students or people striking against shortages and prices increase. It really sucks when military is murdering miners or people working in dock after misunderstanding and sending people to work and setting military to shoot on people driving to work.

[@qZbGmYjS4QusYqv5]

Well, you can always protest peacefully somewhere in Hong Kong. I'm sure Chinese colonial administration is always very understanding and reasonable

[@bobs_toys]

​@@qZbGmYjS4QusYqv5you wouldn't be put in front of a hand picked judge with the prosecution's choice of defence attorney at all. And the chances of them getting out the water cannon laced with tear gas is now very minimal.

[@cdgncgn]

west has no values except making profit. Corrupt to the core. They told us via radio to confront those armies. How cynical.

[@horeageorgian7766]

In Hungary it also started as a reform and not a revolution.

[@rainman4835]

plz make an episode about soviet computers

[@cdgncgn]

KSČ is Ka Es Che, (Tsche in German wtiting)

[@Retro80sMan1]

Kfc?

[@zdenekprisovsky2783]

This document does not take into count a crucial East - West balance of power of 1960s. Should the "pro-democracy" movement in CSSR prevail in long term, the vital power interests of USSR in Central Europe would be in serous jeopardy. They would loose what they fought for in final phase WW2. This was from their point of view quite understandably unacceptable. Regarding those who made decision to conduct invasion I recommend to listen (for Czech or Slovak speakers) to memories of former chief-redactor of Mlada Fronta (Young front) Mr. M. Syrucek who had confidential contacts in USSR. He clearly stated it was NOT general secretary L. Brezhnev who decided to go ahead with invasion, but Red Army general staff. According to him, L. Brezhnev was too emotionally based person in his position to make such a decision. It is also important to know that NATO has placed tactical nuclear weapons in West Germany beginning of 1960s for which Czech military had no equivalent for. Thus, this was perceived by Red Army generals as weakness which had to be corrected. Therefore, the events of Prague spring gave the soviet military opportunity to use the occasion (in their calculation) to 'restore the balance'. Furthermore, Mr. Syrucek characterizes Mr. Dubcek as self-enamored, largely unrealistic politician, who's fame grew over his shoulder;, basically NOT fitting to his role. It is also important to know that the initial impetus was given by internal cultural circles who's mental orientation was remote from life of everyday citizens. The conduct of reform at the start was on shoulders of Central Committee of KCS who proceeded originally within only slight deviation from its original directives; when wider part of population's input took over the process, it was not able to control it. In conclusion, all those who had a bit of wisdom and oversight in their command knew, that this attempt will not survive. It is fair to say that this largely idealistic attempt for "socialism with human face" was failed right from the start.

[@ugencz8364]

Yeah, Mr. Syrucek's interview was a great piece of info for me.

[@thegarfield2414]

You are justifying keeping people as slaves in a dictatorship. Shame on you!

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Very well said.

[@UX1966]

Потому что в субботу выезжали из ГДР в Чехословакию а понедельник заезжали в ФРГ

[@ianshaver8954]

He says KSC but I hear KFC.

[@monklast9752]

Never mind the cold war all people in power will do horrifying actions to stay in power. All humans have the ability to act the same.

[@gerryhouska2859]

Aged nineteen, I was fortunate to escape to Austria and soon after to Australia, as far as I could from the barbaric brutish Muscovites.

[@befeleme]

Sadly, I was only fourteen at that time, and it took me further thirteen years to finally escape to Austria and soon after to Australia. Should have done it earlier, but better late than never. Greetings from Melbourne! 😀👍

[@albertmisic3876]

Czechs and Slovaks didn't really liked socialism, they never accepted this ideology. It was forced by Soviets. That events were just expressing of this. In regards to Yugoslavians, Albanians, Bulgarians, Russians. Where socialism was accepted and that ideology become part of mentality.

[@michaeldunham3385]

You could say the same for many countries who were forced to except communism by Moscow and the Bolsheviks

[@fuksji]

well no...in slovakia commies lose vote yes (but gradually the communists processed them - if you look at slovakia now its even worst nostalgia for socialims that czechia). But in Czechia they had really strong positon. But if you look now at generatios 70s they have strong nostalgia.... (i i suppose that you are not from Czechia or slovakia)

[@OrlandMapper]

@@fuksji Strong position in Bohemia*. In Moravia-Silesia, KSČ had only slightly stronger position than in Slovakia.

[@albertmisic3876]

@@fuksji I disagree with you. In democracy Czech Comunist Party didn't have more than 10 % of popular votes. I spoke with many Czech and they see this period like dark time of history. Don't forget they did total social illustration of socialist establishment.

[@Barricade379]

Some did, some didn't. And that goes for all the peoples in the world. Its fact

[@beepboop204]

[@michaeldunham3385]

French rioters, who'd have thought?

[@TheMormonPower]

Hey Brechneve was right, giving Eastern block countries the power of decent would eventually lead to the fall of the USSR, and ultimately the war in Ukraine 😮

[@jacobedward2401]

Dubchek seems like a smart guy, democracy could have gotten more western countries to accept socialism... what an alternate history that would be!

[@thegarfield2414]

A shit one.

[@jessemays9427]

WooHaaa,I got you all in Czech!

[@unr74]

The cancelled Czech

[@michaelsinger4638]

Such a wasted opportunity.

[@qZbGmYjS4QusYqv5]

It wasn't wasted. It showed the whole world that under the mask of Soviet Socialism there was good old Russian Imperialism all along.

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

Gave those Commies a wakeup call about whether or not Moscow is the champion of Commienism they have been taught all those years...

[@user-no6wd4rz4z]

Dubcek want communalism not communism 😊

[@thezeroalchemist277]

We would certainly live in a better world had Dubçeck succeeded. Capitalism's greatest strength is its flexibility and pervasiveness. Socialism should have attempted to surpass it in both in ways much more subtle than imposing totalitarian control. Bureaucratic socialism was certainly too rigid to win and begin a new era of humanity.

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Socialism is inherently idiotic. Every non authoritarian socialist either turns into a useful idiot or an authoritarian when they find out the rest of society doesn't want to cooperate with their dumb idea.

[@Alhamod2007athotmail]

I am ChatGPT and i support Russian tanks!