Abstract This paper considers the development of democracy in former Soviet bloc countries. It focuses on how the countries of the former Soviet bloc have had to make a number of political and economic changes in a relatively short time, with most moving toward some form of free market economy and with many attempting as well to develop more democratic governments as well. The paper specifically focuses on Poland and Czechoslovakia.
From the Paper "The countries of the former Soviet bloc have had to make a number of political and economic changes in a relatively short time, with most moving toward some form of free market economy, and with many attempting as well to develop more democratic governments as well. Poland and Czechoslovakia are two such countries, and they have achieve some level of democracy to differing degrees, though each has much further to go to reach the desired end. Western-style democracy is alien to these countries, and each has adapted to it in different ways. The change came in Poland in 1990 with the dissolution of the Polish United Workers' Party (PUWP) after 41 years of one-party rule."
Abstract This paper examines how anti-Semitism persisted in Czechoslovakia during the Communist era primarily because of the pervasive and troubling presence of anti-Semitism through European history. Because of negative European cultural attitudes about the Jewish people, anti-Semitism was manifested in nearly every aspect of life in Czechoslovakia and at every level of society.
From the Paper "In analyzing how Heda, Rudolf, and other Czechs experienced anti-Semitism between 1941 and 1968, it is evident that their experiences of oppression and prejudice reflected historic anti-Semitism in Europe. The Soviet domination of Czechoslovakia through the puppet leaders in Prague resulted in the oppression of all Czechs, regardless of their race or religion. But Heda, Rudolf, and other Jewish people experienced oppression between 1941 and 1968 not only because of politics and Communist ideology, but because of prevailing anti-Semitic attitudes in Central Europe. Essentially, anti-Semitism persisted in Czechoslovakia during the Communist era primarily because of the pervasive and troubling presence of anti-Semitism through European history."
Abstract This paper explains the ways that, from 1919 to 1993, the United States, Germany and the USSR exerted their political power and sometimes their military power to manipulate Czechoslovakia in order to achieve their own political. The author points out that, from the restructuring of the European landscape through the 1919 Paris Negotiations, to Nazi occupation from 1939 to 1945 and to the Soviet domination from 1948 to 1989; finally, in 1993, the Peoples of Czechoslovakia made a choice of pluralist democracy and peacefully divided into two countries, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
From the Paper "In reaction to Dubcek's Spring Reforms (otherwise known as the Action Program) of 1968, Soviet leader Lenoid Brezhnev perceived the reform as a break from Marxist-Leninist tradition and a move towards capitalist democracy. On 29 July, 1968, Dubcek met with Soviet leaders met at Cierna to discuss the situation. On August 20-21, WTO troops invaded Czechoslovakia to crush the Prague Spring, proving little violence as compared to the 1956 WTO invasion of Hungary. In the following months, negotiations between Brezhnev and Dubcek continued."
Tags: dubcek, treaty of saint-germain, sudentenland comecon, pluralist democracy
A description of West German attempts to open political and economic relations with Eastern Europe brought about by the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.
1,240 words (approx. 5 pages), 2 sources, 2001, $ 42.95
Abstract This paper deals with the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. The author examines the historical relationship between West Germany and the former Soviet Union from the Cold War period. The paper discusses the opening of economic ties between West Germany and the rest of Western Europe.
From the paper:
"The war in Vietnam greatly increased US government spending on weapons and other supplies, the demand for which American industry could not fully meet. To fill the rest of the orders, the US turned to the other Western industrialized countries, in many cases West Germany and Japan. This increased spending helped jumpstart the economies of these countries, moving both West Germany and Japan from debtor to creditor nations as they achieved large trade surpluses. As it grew more powerful economically, West Germany took a more independent path politically."
Tags: cold, invasion, oestpolitik, states, union, united, war, west, industrialization, money, finance, reform, control
Abstract This paper compares the process of the collapse of Communism in the three states of Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Poland and Hungary were most successful, but for entirely different reasons.
Abstract This paper examines how the Soviet intervention of Czechoslovakia was a violation of rules shaping international relations. It looks at how the Russians had to invade, due to their geopolitical position within Europe and on account of a "counterrevolutionary" situation in Czechoslovakia. It argues that socialist countries cannot be indifferent to the erosion of one of the links in the world system of socialism and how alterations in one state immediately influences all. It also discusses how, in order to keep the balance of forces against NATO, the Soviets sustained that three USSR's nuclear weapons sites in Czechoslovakia were crucial. However, Czechoslovakia refused Soviet troops on its soil and the political and social unrest of Prague Spring disorganized the rigorous security system that was required.
From the Paper "Dubcek's liberalization of Czechoslovakia's socialist system alarmed Brezhnev and other Soviet leaders into reasoning that "revolutionary" elements in other Soviet-bloc nations would ensue the Prague Spring's pattern and shift away from their own form of socialism. The Soviets were also concerned that elements in their own country would emanate and oppose the Communist Party should they let the Czechoslovakian undertaking proceed. The modest liberalization was not limited to Prague. Soviet cinema and literature began to inspire "critical analysis of the system,'' Underground publications cropped up from Moscow to Berlin (Kundera). The KGB perceived the Prague Spring to be a threat to the external and internal security of the Soviet Union. Deliberations in Czechoslovakia about the past violations of the StB intensified apprehension that comparable debates would inevitably take place in Moscow about the Soviet security organs (Skoug 48)."
Abstract This paper begins by providing a brief biography of Havel. It then briefly explains about the book and looks at the central theme of the book - an informal autobiography during closed-door Communist Czechoslovakia. It examines criticism and reviews about the book and whether it achieved what it aimed to achieve - provide a different picture of the Czech Republic to the Western world.
From the Paper "The renowned dramatist, essayist, philosopher and the president of the Czech Republic Vaclav Havel was born 1936. The main theme of his literary writing has always been human identity and the mechanisms of dehumanized power. However, in the 70's and 80's he was a spiritual leader kind of for the rebellions and after the revolution of Velvet he became president of the country and is still very famous."
From the Paper "The disestablishment of communism in Czechoslovakia at the end of 1989 was surprising in both the way it happened and the extent to which it happened, leading to question whether a revolution had actually taken place. However, Webster's Dictionary defines "revolution" as "a sudden, radical, or complete change," and a political revolution involves fundamental changes in the structure of a society, its basic beliefs, and individual behavior. This, experts argue, is what has and is still taking place in Czechoslovakia, a one-time stable and closely-tied Soviet Union ally.
The purpose of this research will be to discuss the revolution in Czechoslovakia, including the events leading up to it, the "10-days of revolution," and the revolution's consequences for the nation and its Eastern European neighbors."
This paper discusses the economic and political impact of Soviet socialism and its collapse on Czechoslovakia and Poland from 1945 to 1992: Planning, stability, leadership, decentralization and reform, protests, labor, foreign aid and multinationals, par
6,750 words (approx. 27 pages), 35 sources, 1994, $ 135.95
From the Paper "This research examines economic and political stability in Czechoslovakia and Poland from 1945 through 1993. Czechoslovakia separated into two sovereign nations--the Czech Republic and Slovakia--as of 1 January 1993. Thus, Czechoslovakia is treated as a unity in the greater part of this examination.
Background on Economics and Politics in Eastern Europe: 1945- ... "
A discussion of the forced sterilization of Native-American women by the United States government in the 1970s and of Roma women in the former Czechoslovakia.
Abstract This paper discusses forced sterilization as a brutal method of population suppression that is occurring in modern history. It specifically focuses on the forced sterilization of Native-American women by the United States government in the 1970s and of Roma women in the former Czechoslovakia. It describes the background of the issue and the investigations into their occurrence.
Table of Contents:
Sterilization and Native American Women
Targeting the Roma
Conclusion
From the Paper "Forced sterilization is one of the most brutal abuses of reproductive rights occurring in modern history. The practice, which is often part of racist policies meant to control so-called nuisance populations, has even been widely used by modern, advanced nations such as the United States, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Forced and coerced sterilization was used by doctors employed by the Indian Health Services during the 1970s to deprive thousands of Native Americans the ability to grow their families. Methods ranging from pressure to outright deception were used to control Native American populations and, in some cases, for the doctors to benefit financially. Czechoslovakia used similar methods, and even financial incentives, to force and coerce thousands of Roma women into sterilization procedures as part of a racist government policy that has continued in some form at least until the past few years. Although international pressure and legal challenges have helped stem the practice of forced and coerced sterilization in America, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the racism that allowed for such policies remains a modern challenge in all three nations."
Abstract This paper explains that Mike Kundera's characters in "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" are subjected to the two major influences of the historical context of the novel and the existentialist philosophy as expressed especially by Heidegger in his "Being and Time". The author points out that the technique used in the book by the narrator to describe the mental states of his characters follows a precise format. The paper also describes each of the four major characters and to what degree they reflect the lightness of being.
Outline:
Characters Exponents of the Author's Real Life Experience
Historical Context
Communist Czechoslovakia Prague, Czechoslovakia Philosophical Theme; Existentialism
Character: Tomas
Free Individual
Character: Tereza
Opposite of Her Husband: Highly Idealistic
Character: Sabina
Highly Individualistic and Independent, Rebellious And Unconventional
Character: Franz
Very Passionate; Believes In Love and Politics
The Four Characters Reconstruct Milan Kundera's Life Experience
The Characters Choose Exile over Communism
From the Paper "Sabina is Tomas' lover, an artist who rebels against the ugliness of the surrounding world, and her oppressive father through her paintings and lifestyle choices. She is the extreme instance of the lightness of being. In fact, her love affair with Tomas is based upon this very lightness of being that they share. Their affair has nothing in common with a traditional romance as they are not traditional characters. Nevertheless, she looks for heaviness, which is why she falls in love with Franz, a university professor and at the same time, the extreme instance of heaviness."
This paper examines the influx of Eastern European immigrants to the United States especially after the Second World War. It discusses three major immigrant groups - Poles, Czechs and Russians and also discusses Americans' attitudes towards these groups.
1,432 words (approx. 5.7 pages), 3 sources, 2001, $ 47.95
Abstract This paper examines the influx of Eastern European immigrants to the United States especially after the Second World War. It discusses three major immigrant groups - Poles, Czechs and Russians and also discusses Americans' attitudes towards these groups.
From the paper:
"Established Americans often look down on new immigrants. The cultural habits of immigrants are frequently targets of criticism, especially when the new arrivals come from a different country than those in the established community. This is true despite the fact that so much of what we have accomplished as a nation has been due to the contributions of recent immigrants who have been willing to work as hard as they can to make a better life for themselves and their families ? and alon the way for the rest of the country as well."
19th & 20th Cent. history of causes & effects of nationalism & core-periphery state relations in politics & economics of Czechoslovakia, Hungary & Poland.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 8 sources, 1996, $ 55.95
From the Paper "This research paper explores aspects of the complex inter-relationships between nationalism, as manifested in East Central Europe, and relations between core and periphery statesin that area within the modern world economic system. The paths nationalism took in East Central Europe in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries were strongly, but by no means exclusively, influenced by the nature and content of the interactions between those states and certain great powers. Today, nationalism in the area remains a potent force.
Definitions
East Central Europe basically comprises the areas which make up modern Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland. Nationalism is the political expression of the desires of specific ethnic..."
Analyzes historical, political & military causes & effects of surrender of western Czechoslovakia (Sudetenland) by Britain and France to Hitler's Germany in 1938.
6,750 words (approx. 27 pages), 14 sources, 1997, $ 135.95
From the Paper "In the history of the Second World War, Munich is a name that carries powerful connotations. It was in Munich that Adolf Hitler launched the abortive Beer-Hall Putscht, his abortive first attempt at power. A decade and a half later, in September of 1938, Hitler had been in power for six years, and Munich became the site of even a more powerfully symbolic event. Here, the Western allied powers faced their last potential decision point short of the one which would confront them with the invasion of Poland a year later.
Hitler demanded the right to occupy the Sudetenland, a region of western Czechoslovakia that had a largely German-speaking population. The Czechs were prepared to resist, but despite a fairly powerful army they lacked the means to do so entirely alone. The question was whether the Western Allies.."
From the Paper " POWERS OF THE SECRET POLICE IN COMMUNIST EAST CENTRAL EUROPE
This research paper discusses the powers of the secret police in the communist-controlled nations of East Central Europe--East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary--and their role in controlling the populations of these countries during the Cold War.
Introduction
In his speech of March 4, 1946 in Fulton, Missouri, Winston Churchill said the following:
From Stettin on the Baltic to Trieste on the Adriatic an iron curtain has descended across the Continent. Behind that line all the capitals of the ancient States of Central and Eastern Europe -East Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest and Sofia. All these famous cities and.."
