It was not only Prague – the share of the people of the Czech and Slovak towns and regions in the fall of the communist regime. Cover Image

Nebyla to jenom Praha – podíl obyvatel českých a slovenských měst a regionů na pádu komunistického režimu
It was not only Prague – the share of the people of the Czech and Slovak towns and regions in the fall of the communist regime.

Author(s): Lukáš Valeš
Subject(s): Civil Society, Political history, Social history, Government/Political systems, Post-War period (1950 - 1989), History of Communism, Sociology of Politics
Published by: Historický ústav SAV
Keywords: Velvet Revolution; Dissent; Communist regime; Church; Demonstrations;

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this study is to prove that while Prague was an important centre of anti-regime activities, there was just as strong opposition also outside the capital city. Originally it was mostly apolitical. People “only” wanted to live freely and carry on their own activities – organize themselves, develop their own artistic activities, protect the environment or practice their religion. However, this already brought them into political conflict with the regime, which paradoxically prepared its own opposition. The role of the non-Prague dissidents and their activities was fundamental not only before November 1989 in the process of eroding communist rule, but also for the success of the November revolution as such. If there had been support for the regime outside Prague, the Velvet Revolution might have turned out entirely differently.

  • Issue Year: 66/2018
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 133-158
  • Page Count: 26
  • Language: Czech