Velvet Revolution

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Velvet Revolution

The Velvet Revolution (Czech: Sametová revoluce) was a non-violent transition of power in what was then Czechoslovakia, occurring from 17 November to 29 December 1989. It marked the end of 41 years of communist rule in the country and the subsequent dismantling of the Eastern Bloc.

Background

The Velvet Revolution was part of a broader wave of anti-communist movements that swept across Central and Eastern Europe in 1989. The revolution was influenced by the policies of Mikhail Gorbachev, particularly glasnost and perestroika, which encouraged more open political discourse and economic restructuring.

Key Events

The revolution began on 17 November 1989, when a peaceful student demonstration in Prague was violently suppressed by the police. This event sparked a series of protests and strikes across the country. The Civic Forum (Czech: Občanské fórum), a political movement led by Václav Havel, played a crucial role in organizing these protests and negotiating with the government.

On 27 November 1989, a two-hour general strike was held, which saw participation from a significant portion of the population. The pressure from the public and the international community led to the resignation of the Communist Party leadership on 10 December 1989. By the end of December, a new government was formed, and Václav Havel was elected as the President of Czechoslovakia.

Aftermath

The Velvet Revolution led to the establishment of a democratic government in Czechoslovakia. The country held its first free elections in June 1990. The revolution also set the stage for the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia on 1 January 1993, an event known as the Velvet Divorce.

Legacy

The Velvet Revolution is celebrated as a significant moment in the history of Czechoslovakia and is remembered for its peaceful nature. It is commemorated annually on 17 November, which is a public holiday in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Related Pages

• Czechoslovakia
• Václav Havel
• Communist Party of Czechoslovakia
• Eastern Bloc
• Velvet Divorce
• Central and Eastern Europe
• Mikhail Gorbachev
• Glasnost
• Perestroika