-
Alexander Dubcek succeeds Novotny as CPCz leader
-
Programme of liberalizing reforms known as Prague Spring with the aim of ushering in "socialism with a human face".
-
-
A student burns himself to death in protest at occupation by Warsaw Pact armies.
-
Gustav Husak replaces Dubcek as CPCz leader and in 1975 become president.
-
Replaces Husak as party leader.
-
Becomes prime minister in a government in which the majority of members are non-Communists. Husak resigns as president. Dubcek elected chairman of Federal Assembly. Vaclav Havel elected president, completing the "velvet revolution".
-
Members form two new parties, the conservative Civic Democratic Party (CDP) and the liberal Civic Movement. Legislation allowing privatization of state-owned enterprises approved.
-
Elections see Czech voters backing the centre right while their Slovak counterparts support Slovak separatists and left wing parties. Negotiations between Klaus and Meciar reach deadlock as neither is prepared to compromise. The two agree to the separation of Slovakia from the Czech Lands, despite the objections of President Havel and a general lack of popular enthusiasm.
-
Czechoslovakia completes "velvet divorce" which results in two independent countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
