The Two Thousand Words

The manifesto of 2000 words is one of the most important texts of the Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia in 1968. The text also wore the title Two Thousand Words that are addressed to workers, farmers, civil servants, artists and all.

It is a testimony of the emancipation of the public and was signed by intellectuals of various stripes. The document was created at the suggestion of some members of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences ( Československé academy VED ), including Otto Wichterle Jan Brod, Otakar Poupa and Miroslav Holub. It was written in June 1968 by the famous writer Ludvik Vaculik. The manifesto appeared noviny on 27 June 1968 in the cultural-political magazine Literární listy and in the daily newspapers Lidové noviny, Práce, Mladá fronta and Zemědělské.

He illuminated not only the role of KSČ in the process of the "Prague Spring" very critical and demanded an unconditional continuation of the reform policies, against the reactionary forces at home and abroad, but also practiced generally highly critical of the " errors of socialism." The leadership of the Communist Party rejected the document as from a distrust statement to their policies. The population, especially the hitherto somewhat passive workers, welcomed the manifesto, however, in a " stormy echo ". In general, led the " 2000 words" to a further radicalization of both the conservative and the reformist forces during the Dubcek government was forced to maneuver between the two sides.

Effects and reactions

The overwhelming effect of the? 2000 words? is undisputed. Both opponents and supporters of the reforms in Czechoslovakia were forced to refer to the manifesto position. Nature Shared dimensions the evaluation of the document turned out very differently. Clear words found on June 29, Prime Minister Cernik when he says that the statement, if the writers want it or not, incites both groups of extreme forces and disrupt the? Constructive upsurge of socialist renewal process seriously. ? The Chairman of the National Assembly Smrkovský goes even further by warning that a call to strike, boycott and the like? Elementary explosive charge of illegality in itself? mountains. He also raises the question of whether an abstract appeal to abide by the laws actually possess more authority within the readership, as the concrete demands for de facto illegal measures. With foresight, he warns against political romanticism and points out that this very prevails, ? When starting from inadequate information, and therefore does not consider all eligible - internal and external components, the development of our [ Czechoslovak ] society and the fate renewal of our ambition determine. This passage in his reply to the? 2000 words? must be understood as a subtle allusion to the threat of force, which threatened to narrow Czechoslovakia and its reform process.

Ota? Sik draws in his book a somewhat more moderate balance. He writes to the manifesto? Also I have kept this manifesto, so I agreed with its contents, for tactical accident. The progressives were all over the much stronger and despite all the intrigues of the reactionaries could no longer push back the development of internal forces. The manifesto has therefore the conservatives and reactionaries more availed at this time as the reformers.

The progressive part of the government was in its fundamentals in the evaluation of this document so agree. All of them could be at least partially identify with the content of the manifesto, but openly criticized choice of words and the publication date? 2000 words? . The allusion to the external forces by Smrovský must be viewed in this context as a final attempt to force the writers to a certain moderation in order not to jeopardize the entire project.

A negative attitude, of course, the conservative forces took themselves. Major General Kodaj described the manifesto directly after its appearance as? Calling for counter-revolution and the conservative Communist Hajak called the manifesto in his review as? Provocative? and declares that it is the other? accelerated political development? or even radicalized. Also CC member Idra sent in response to the? 2000 words? Warnings of an imminent counter-revolution to all party organizations. Rüdiger Wenzke goes in his published 1990 brochure " Prague Spring -? Prague Autumn? "? even be stated so far that only with the appearance of Manifesto of the term? counterrevolutionary? emerged in the clashes.

At least the centrally controlled from Moscow Pravda saw this danger is now on the horizon. In an article dated 11 July, they stated that it? Obvious than ever before [ is ]? , That the emergence of? Two Thousand Words? by no means an isolated phenomenon, but a testament to the right and become active counterrevolutionary forces in Czechoslovakia, which is obviously allied with the imperialist reaction. Soviet propaganda had so zeroed in amazingly fast on this manifesto and sought now, take advantage of it to support their way of seeing things in the CSSR. This is also the co- authored letter of the five countries involved in the invasion, which she directed on July 15 at the KSC. In this manifesto is put into a larger context by claiming that? Precisely because [ This refers to the to prudent intervention of the Central Committee against the intensifying attacks the supposed reaction ] was the reaction the opportunity to publicly with a spread all over the country political platform under the name? 2000 words? emerge, which contains an open appeal to the fight against the communist party against the constitutional power that calls for strikes and unrest.? In fact, so now entered what the Chairman of the National Assembly Smrkovský had suspected. The Soviets used the manifesto sent out and tried to give the impression of Prague was on the verge of an imperialist counterrevolution. All participants had at least be clear that Moscow assessed the course of reform as unnecessary and counter-productive now. What is also clear is pointed out in the letter that the Soviet Union would not tolerate further steps in this direction and the matter is no longer under the point of view of sovereignty, but under the common defense of imperialism would consider in the future.

Credentials

Swell

• Eleonora Schneider: Prague Spring and Velvet Revolution. Social movements in Soviet-type societies the example of Czechoslovakia, IZE Aachen 1994. ISBN 3-930528-11-8