normalizácie

Normalizácie refers to a period in Czechoslovak history that followed the Prague Spring of 1968. It was characterized by a rollback of the liberal reforms initiated by Alexander Dubček and a reassertion of strict Communist Party control. The Soviet-led invasion in August 1968 crushed the reformist movement and installed a new leadership loyal to Moscow. This led to widespread purges within the Communist Party, government, and cultural institutions. Thousands of individuals, including intellectuals, artists, and politicians, were removed from their positions, faced persecution, and were often ostracized from public life. Freedom of speech and the press were severely curtailed, and censorship was reimposed. The period aimed to restore "normal" communist rule and eliminate perceived ideological deviations. The economic system also saw a return to centralized planning and away from the proposed market-oriented reforms. Normalizácie lasted until the Velvet Revolution in 1989, which peacefully overthrew the Communist regime. It left a lasting impact on Czechoslovak society, influencing political attitudes and national memory for decades.