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Alexander Dubček becomes first secretary of the Czechoslovak Communist party
Dubček initiated many new reform programs which allowed for greater freedom of expression in the press and rehabilitated victims of political purges from the Stalin era. This eased tensions within Czechoslovakia, but raised concerns among other Warsaw Pact countries. -
Dubček launches a massive new reform program
Dubček's new reform program called for autonomy for Slovakia, a revised constitution to guarantee civil rights and liberties to the people of Czechoslovakia, and plans to democratize the nation. He even went so far as to promise “socialism with a human face.” This reform program signified what many have referred to as the beginning of "Prague Spring," or a period of political liberalization. This continued to ease tensions within the country, but raise concerns among other Warsaw Pact nations. -
Soviet invasion and occupation of Czechoslovakia
While Dubček claimed he could control the country's new transformation, the USSR and other Warsaw Pact countries viewed recent events in Czechoslovakia (Prague Spring) as counterrevolutionary. As a result, on August 20th, 1968, Soviet armed forces invaded and occupied the country. Communists re-established power and Dubček’s reforms were repealed. This led to significantly heightened tensions between the Soviet Union and the Czechoslovakian people. -
Dubček is replaced as party secretary by Gustav Husak
Dubček's replacement signifed an end of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia as well as a reaffirmation of Soviet power. Czechoslovkia would remain occupied by Soviet troops until 1990. This led to heightened tensions between Czechoslovakia and the USSR. -
Gustav Husak becomes president
Husak becomes president of Czechoslovakia. -
Anniversary of Soviet invasion of 1968
Mass demonstrations mark the anniversary of the 1968 Soviet invasion and leads to increased tension between USSR and Czechoslovakia. -
Velvet Revolution begins
In November, peaceful student demonstrations snowball into a full-fledged anti-communist demonstration consisting of protests and strikes. The Czechoslovakian people voice their desire for the end of a single-party state. This led to an increase in tensions, causing the revolution to continue. -
Single-party state is dismantled
To appease the demands of its citizens, the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia announces that is will relinquish power and dismantle the single-party state. This eased tensions because the country was giving in to the citizen's demands. -
Husák resigns
President Gustáv Husák appoints the first largely non-communist government in Czechoslovakia in over 40 years. Following this appointment, Husák resigns from the presidency. With the first non- communist government approaching, the tensions were eased. -
Dubček returns
Dubček returns and is elected speaker of the federal parliament. -
Velvet Revolution ends
Two new political groups -- OF (Civic Forum) led by Václav Havel and Slovak VPN (Public Against Violence) -- victoriously enter the government and become the leading parties. Václav Havel is elected president on December 29, 1989, signifing the end of the Velvelt Revolution. The Velvet Revolution sucessfully and peacefully overthrew the communist regime. With both the end of the revolution and the end of communism, tensions were eased within the country. -
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Czechoslovakia moves towards a market economy
The government began to liberalize prices, push demonopolization, and privatize the economy. This was all moving towards a market economy. The outcome of a transition to democracy and a market ecomony depended on how much developments outside of the country fecilitated or delayed the process of change. -
Czechoslovakia is renamed
The country is renamed as the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic. -
First free elections since 1946
First free elections since 1946 help establish a coalition government involving all major parties with the exception of the CPCz. In these elections Havel is re-elected president. -
Civic forum disbanded
Civic Forum is disbanded. Members create two new parties -- the conservative Civic Democratic Party (CDP) and the liberal Civic Movement -- and legislation allowing privatization of state-owned enterprises is approved. -
End of Soviet occupation in Czechoslovakia
Beginning in March, 1991, the USSR began to withdrawal their troops from Czechoslovakia. June, 1991 marked the completion of Soviet withdrawal and therefore the end of Soviet occupation in Czechoslovakia. This led to eased tensions between the USSR and Czechoslovakia. -
Klaus and Meciar negotiations
Elections shows Czech voters backing the center right while Slovak counterparts support Slovak separatists and left wing parties. Vladimir Meciar (a supporter of Slovak separatism) becomes Slovak prime minister. He is opposed to the privatization of the public sector proposed by Czech Prime Minister Vlaclav Klaus. Negotiations between Klaus and Meciar reach a stalemate as neither is willing to compromise. The two agree to the separation of Slovakia from the Czech Lands. -
Velvet Divorce
The Federal Assembly adopts legislation that will enable the federation to disband. -
Completion of Velvet Divorce
Czechoslovakia ends the Velvet Divorce which results in the creation of two independent countries -- the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
