The Hungarian Revolt and the Prague Spring: a Comparative Investigation of Causes; Why 1956, and Why 1968?

Abstract

While the Hungarian Revolt in 1956 and the Prague Spring in 1968 occurred under substantially different contexts, a comparison of the general causes of these two uprisings against the Soviet-imposed Communist system will be presented in this research. Similarities which have been uncovered in the liberalization processes during the run-up to the two uprisings consist of; reform leadership, popular uprising of the intellectuals and economic difficulties, placing strain on the general population. This study uses the method of comparative historical analysis to research three main questions; why was there no revolt in Czechoslovakia in 1956, as there was in both Hungary and Poland? What changed in the Czechoslovak situation between 1956 and 1968 to produce circumstances conducive to change? And finally, what conclusions can be drawn from the overall comparison of the Hungarian Revolt and the Prague Spring?