The Velvet Revolution Essay -- World History

The citizens of Czechoslovakia had not known freedom in decades. During much of World War II the nation was occupy by the Nazis and later by the Red Army as it drove the Nazis back to Berlin. When they Red Army moved into an area, communist regimes were set up to control the area, and establish satellite nations. There were numerous uprisings throughout the decade that were violently suppressed by the communist governments with help from the USSR. After Alexander Dubcek tried to agree reforms to the people of Czechoslovakia in 1968, the USSR and most members of the Warsaw Pact sent their military forces to intervene and suppress any unrest or reforms. Things grew somewhat violent and brutal, as any demonstrators were either or beaten, killed, or arrested. Dubcek himself was removed from power. While many Czech citizens were fed up with their lack of freedom and the failing economy, they had little bechance to achieve change. In the mid 1980s though things began to lighten up when Mikhail Gorbachev became Premier of the USSR and announced his reform programs of Glasnost and Perestroika. Gorbachev also encouraged the leaders of the satellite states to do suit and grant their citizens more political and civil liberties. Under Gorbachev the USSR also withdrew most of its armed forces from eastern and central European countries. Many citizens and political reformers took proceeds of the moment and started to push for an end to the single party political system that had been forced on them for years. 1989 was the year of many revolutions and demonstrations in eastern and central Europe. In October of 1989 police in Prague had to break up a few large demonstrations that broke out on the 71st anniversary of the establishment of Czec... ...the movement gained such far-flung popular support made it possible for the demonstrators to have a great deal of leverage when negotiating with the communist party. Works CitedLadislav Adamec, Speech by Premier Ladislav Adame c at an extraordinary session of the CPCz CC, stating his preference for a political solution to the crisis, Making the History of 1989, Item 512, http//chnm.gmu.edu/1989/items/show/512 (accessed April 17 2012, 706 pm).The civic Forum, The Civic Forums definition of its Position in Public Life with a Call for Nonviolence, Tolerance and Dialogue, Making the History of 1989, Item 503, http//chnm.gmu.edu/1989/items/show/503 (accessed April 17 2012, 715 pm).The Civic Forum, List of Goals by the Civic Forum, Making the History of 1989, Item 513, http//chnm.gmu.edu/1989/items/show/513 (accessed April 17 2012, 656 pm).