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Posted by Kerry Kubilius Aug 24, 2007 |
Slate recently featured photos describing the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. As you know, Czechoslovakia is no more; today, the area that was Czechoslovakia has been the Czech Republic and Slovakia since 1993.
The Soviets invaded Czechoslovakia in August. The period before the invasion was nicknamed "Prague Spring," as it was a period of liberalization initiated by the Czechoslovakian leader of the time, Alexander Dubcek. The invasion signaled an end to this period, and the Soviets sent soldiers and tanks into Czechoslovakian territory in order to re-assert authority.
Dubcek had already survived one attempt on his life, and the Soviets took him prisoner during the invasion. Dubcek was released, but no longer held the level of power he had before the invasion. He would be re-elected shortly before Czechoslovakia split into two countries.