Since XX meeting of KPZR Czechoslovakian communist party did not go through big changes. It still had a program from Stalin's times. In 1960 Slovakia's independence was abolished and the idea of Czech and Slovakian unity came back, which caused a big resistance, especially in Slovakia. There were students' demonstrations in Strachov district.

Demonstration of independence in Prague, November 24th 1989.

In January 1968 Antonin Novotny resigned from the post of the first secretary of KC KPCz. His position was taken over by the secretary of KC KP of Slovakia Aleksander Dubcek - the leader of liberals. He announced a program of "socialism with human face". In March general Ludvik Svoboda was chosen for a position of president and in April Oldrich Cernik took the post of prime minister. In spite of large popularity, new management did not succeed in keeping back social criticism. In March 1968 there were founded new parties: Klub Zaangazowanych Bezpartyjnych and K 231, whose programs were based on reforms. K 231 consisted of people, who had been sentenced for opposition's activity in the past. They tried to rebuilt socialdemocracy, which was called Rewolucyjna Socjalistyczna Partia Czechoslowacji. However also in other allied parties there were moves to return to political programs from February 1948. In April it was demanded to call an extra meeting of KPCz. On June 27th opposition published so-called: Manifest of two thousand words, which attacked the policy of Czech and Slovakian communists.

The events in Czechoslovakia disquieted most of leaders of communist countries, in which political situation was stabilized. Other countries, which were under communist governing, brisked up as the result of reforms in Czechoslovakia. There was only one country in which the censorship was abolished, the borders were open and new economic reforms were promised to people.

In March 1968 there was a meeting between Aleksander Dubcek and the leaders of the USSR, Poland, GDR, Hungary, Bulgaria in Drezno. They wanted to compel the management of KPCz to taking a fight with opposition. However the fight was unsuccessful because of social support to reforms in the country.

In July 1968 the management of KPCz did not accept the letter from five communist parties, which had taken part in Warsaw conference.

Opposition demanded to announce Czechoslovakian country's independence from the authority as the result of breaking of relations with most of countries of Warsaw Treaty Organization. At night from 20th to 21st August armies of countries of Warsaw Treaty Organization went through the Czechoslovakian boarders and occupied some bigger centres in Czechoslovakia. In that international conflict only Romania was a neutral country. Wladyslaw Gomulka decided his mind to use Polish army against Czechoslovakia. His decision was criticized by Polish society. Polish armies were commanded by general Florian Siwicki. General Ludwik Svoboda did not allow the army to leave barracks .

Two representatives of Czechoslovakia - Aleksander Dubcek (left) and Vaclav Havel (right), November 26th 1989.

In autumn 1968 in Czechoslovakia there was only USSR army. On October 30th a new constitutional act was enacted which confirmed the federal character of Czechoslovakian country. On April 17th 1969 after Aleksander Dubcek resigned, for the post of first secretary of KC KPCz was chosen Gustaw Husak.

After 1968 in Czechoslovakia the reprisals were used in culture and science circles. In December 1976 two hundred-forty people objected to it and created co-called The Charter of 77. Among its founders were Vaclav Havel and Jiri Hajek.