Antonin Novotny

Antonín Novotný (December 10, 1904 – January 28, 1975) was a Czech politician who served as the President of Czechoslovakia from 1957 to 1968. He was a prominent figure in the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and played a significant role during the Cold War era.

Early Life and Career

Antonín Novotný was born in Letňany, a suburb of Prague, which was then part of Austria-Hungary. He joined the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia in 1921, shortly after its founding. Novotný worked as a metalworker and was actively involved in the trade union movement.

Political Career

Novotný rose through the ranks of the Communist Party, becoming a member of its Central Committee in 1946. He was a staunch supporter of Stalinism and played a key role in the purges of the 1950s. In 1953, he became the First Secretary of the Communist Party, effectively becoming the leader of Czechoslovakia.

In 1957, following the death of Antonín Zápotocký, Novotný was elected as the President of Czechoslovakia. His presidency was marked by a strict adherence to Soviet policies and a resistance to reform.

Presidency

During his tenure as president, Novotný maintained a hardline stance against political dissent and was known for his opposition to the Prague Spring reforms. His leadership style was characterized by centralization and authoritarianism.

Novotný's resistance to reform eventually led to his downfall. In 1968, he was replaced by Ludvík Svoboda as president, and Alexander Dubček took over as the First Secretary of the Communist Party, ushering in a period of liberalization known as the Prague Spring.

Later Life and Legacy

After his removal from power, Novotný lived a relatively quiet life until his death in 1975. His legacy is controversial; while some view him as a staunch defender of socialism, others criticize his repressive policies and resistance to change.

See Also

• Communist Party of Czechoslovakia
• Prague Spring
• Cold War

References

Kieran,

 The Prague Spring and its Aftermath: Czechoslovak Politics, 1968-1970, 
  
 Cambridge University Press, 
 1997, 
  
  
 ISBN 978-0521588034,

Skilling, H. Gordon,

 Novotný and the Czechoslovak Reform Movement, 
 Slavic Review, 
 1968, 
 Vol. 27(Issue: 2), 
 pp. 232-245,

External Links

• Antonín Novotný - Britannica