Alexander Dubcek Biography

Birth of Alexander Dubcek

Appointed full member of the Central Committee of the KSC

Appointed First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Slovakia

Appointed First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Slovakia

Appointed Member of Slovak Parliament (Slovak National Council)

Appointed First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia

Appointed First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia

Becomes party leader and begins the Prague Spring.

Starts when Alexander Dubcek comes to power and runs until August 20 when the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies (except for Romania) invade the country

Starts when Alexander Dubcek comes to power and runs until August 20 when the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies (except for Romania) invade the country

Dubcek launches an Action Programme of liberalisations which include increased freedom of the press, emphasis on consumer goods, and the possibility of a more democratic multi-party Government

Launches reforms known as socialism with a human face.

Announces the Fourteenth Party Congress will convene on September 9 and incorporate the Action Programme into the party statutes, draft a federalization law, and elect a new Central Committee

Brezhnev and the leadership of the Warsaw Pact countries are concerned about Dubcek's reforms, which they fear weaken the position of the Communist Bloc during the Cold War

Warsaw Pact military practice manoeuvres are held in Czechoslovakia in late June. Russia agrees with Czechoslovakia to withdraw their troops (still stationed in Czechoslovakia since the June maneuvers) and permit the September 9 Party Congress.

Representatives from Russia, East Germany, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Czechoslovakia meet in Bratislava and sign the Bratislava Declaration

Warsaw Pact military practice manoeuvres are held in Czechoslovakia in late June. Brezhnev and the leadership of the Warsaw Pact countries are concerned about Dubcek's reforms, which they fear weaken the position of the Communist Bloc during the Cold War

In the Bratislava Declaration Russia expresses its intention to intervene in a Warsaw Pact country if a bourgeois system-a pluralist system of several political parties is ever established

The Bratislava Declaration aaffirms unshakable fidelity to Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism and declares an implacable struggle against bourgeois ideology and all antisocialist forces.

In the Bratislava Declaration Russia expresses its intention to intervene in a Warsaw Pact country if a bourgeois system-a pluralist system of several political parties is ever established

Representatives from Russia, East Germany, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Czechoslovakia meet in Bratislava and sign the Bratislava Declaration.

The Bratislava Declaration aaffirms unshakable fidelity to Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism and declares an implacable struggle against bourgeois ideology and all antisocialist forces.

In the Bratislava Declaration Russia expresses its intention to intervene in a Warsaw Pact country if a bourgeois system-a pluralist system of several political parties is ever established

In the Bratislava Declaration Russia expresses its intention to intervene in a Warsaw Pact country if a bourgeois system-a pluralist system of several political parties is ever established

Dubcek, who had been arrested on the night of August 20, is taken to Moscow for negotiations, it was agreed that Dubcek would remain in office and that a program of moderate reform would continue

The Dubcek reforms go too far for Russia and Russia invades. Russian troops and vehicles cross the Czech border at 18 points without any resistance

The Soviet Press prints an unsigned request, allegedly by Czechoslovak party and state leaders, for immediate assistance, including assistance with armed forces. The relaxation after the Prague Spring ends when 200,000 Soviet troops invade Czech.

Dubcek calls upon his people not to resist

Eastern Bloc armies from 5 Warsaw Pact countries invaded the CSSR, Russian tanks ranging in number from 5,000 to 7,000 fill the streets, followed by Warsaw Pact troops ranging from 200,000 to 600,000.

The occupation is followed by a wave of emigration, unseen before and stopped shortly after (estimate: 70,000 immediately, 300,000 in total), typically of highly qualified people.

The Soviet Press prints an unsigned request, allegedly by Czechoslovak party and state leaders, for immediate assistance, including assistance with armed forces

Dubcek calls upon his people not to resist

Dubcek, who had been arrested on the night of August 20, is taken to Moscow for negotiations, it was agreed that Dubcek would remain in office and that a program of moderate reform would continue.

Eastern Bloc armies from 5 Warsaw Pact countries invaded the CSSR, Russian tanks ranging in number from 5,000 to 7,000 fill the streets, followed by Warsaw Pact troops ranging from 200,000 to 600,000.

The occupation is followed by a wave of emigration, unseen before and stopped shortly after (estimate: 70,000 immediately, 300,000 in total), typically of highly qualified people.

Tries to introduce more contact with the west and socialism with a human face

Eastern Bloc armies from 5 Warsaw Pact countries invaded the CSSR, Russian tanks ranging in number from 5,000 to 7,000 fill the streets, followed by Warsaw Pact troops ranging from 200,000 to 600,000

Appointed First Secretary of the Communist Party of Czech

Warsaw Pact armies invade Czechoslovakia.

Dubcek returns from the Kremlin announces the repeal of democratic reforms

The Russians increase their occupation force to 650,000. Dubcek returns from the Kremlin announces the repeal of democratic reforms

The Czech National Assembly declares the Soviet occupation illegal

The Czech National Assembly declares the Soviet occupation illegal

Dubcek bans political clubs

At the 14th KSC Party Congress (conducted secretly, immediately following the intervention), it was emphasised that no member of the leadership had invited Russian intervention

At the 14th KSC Party Congress (conducted secretly, immediately following the intervention), it was emphasised that no member of the leadership had invited Russian intervention

Czech leaders visit Moscow and agree to dismantle reforms

Russia and Czech sign a Treaty on the withdrawal of Warsaw Pact forces from Czech

Russia and Czech sign a Treaty on the withdrawal of Warsaw Pact forces from Czech

Russia and Czech sign a Treaty on the withdrawal of Warsaw Pact forces from Czech

Dubcek is replaced as First Secretary by Gust v Husak, and a period of Normalisation begins

Czechoslovakia becomes a two state federation

Following the Czechoslovak Hockey Riots, Dubcek is forced to resign as First Secretary

Following the Czechoslovak Hockey Riots, Dubcek is forced to resign as First Secretary

Appointed Ambassador of Turkey

Exiled after launching a Liberalizing campaign following the Soviet invasion

Appointed Chairman of the National Assembly

Appointed Chairman of the National Assembly

Supports the Civic Forum of Vaclav Havel. When Dubcek appears with Havel on a balcony overlooking Wenceslas Square, he is greeted with uproarious applause

Alexander Dubcek is elected speaker of the federal Parliament on December 28 and Vaclav Havel the President of Czechoslovakia on December 29 1989

Alexander Dubcek is elected speaker of the federal Parliament on December 28 and Vaclav Havel the President of Czechoslovakia on December 29 1989

Buried in Slovicie Udolie, in Bratislava, Slovakia

Death of Alexander Dubcek