Biography of Alexander Dubcek

Socialism with a human face

November 27, 1921
November 7, 1992
Alexander Dubcek was born in Uhrovec (Czechoslovakia, now Slovak Republic) on November 27, 1921. The family moved to the Soviet Union when the small Alexander has only four. He returned to Czechoslovakia in 1939, at the age of 18 years, he worked as a laborer. Soon joined the clandestine Communist movement, taking part in the anti-Nazi resistance and Slovak uprising of 1944. In 1951 becomes member of the National Assembly. Twelve years later, in 1963, Alexander Dubcek becomes Secretary and leader of the Communist Party of Slovakia. His party together with that of Bohemia and Moravia formed the PCC, Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. Convinced of the need to abandon the Soviet model, Dubcek gathers around him a large group of politicians and intellectuals, reformers, becoming the greatest interpreter of an authoritarian line and a fruitful political season, one that will be remembered as the "Prague Spring".
His philosophy, which ran counter to the regime's character hired by the Soviet model, was defined as "socialism with a human face". Earlier in the year 1968 Dubcek was elected General Secretary of the CCP in place of Antonín Novotný, leader of the Soviet Communist Party-linked component; DUBCEK can initiate so-called "new course", a political strategy determined to introduce elements of democracy in all sectors of society in the country. The action for reform of Dubcek finds great popular support, but clashes with the reaction of the other communist regimes in Eastern Europe. To end the dangerous movement which was creating on Earth of Czechoslovakia, the Soviet Union orders in August 1968 Warsaw Pact troops ' intervention, the military alliance between the countries of the Soviet bloc. In 1969 Alexander Dubcek is removed from his post and a year later is expelled from PCC. In 1971 he moved to Slovakia where it is used as an unskilled worker in a company.
The period from 16 November to December 29, 1989 is characterized by what is called the "Velvet Revolution", non-violent revolution that would have toppled the Communist regime of Czechoslovakia (began with a peaceful student demonstration in Bratislava and followed by another analogous violently repressed by the police, it would come in later demonstrations from 200,000 to 500,000 demonstrators). During the Velvet Revolution Dubcek is acclaimed by all. While all other communist regimes were falling in Europe, the Czechoslovak Communist Party renounces its monopoly on political power. The December 5, 1989 is removed the barbed wire on the border with West Germany and Austria. On day 10, the Communist President Gustav Husak appoints a Government largely not pro-Communist, then announces his resignation. Vaclav Havel is the new President of the Czechoslovak Republic, while Alexander Dubcek is elected speaker of the Federal Parliament. In this capacity Dubcek will struggle against the partition of Czechoslovakia.
His last political act will be the signature of a law on waste cleanup, looking indifferently to all past members of the CCP; DUBCEK was concerned that this law would have triggered the country dangerous reactions and a climate of revenge. A short time later it remains involved in a traffic accident. Alexander Dubcek died on November 7, 1992 due to injuries sustained in the accident, which took place in Mossad.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.