# Invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1968-invasion-of-czechoslovakia
Location: Czechoslovakia
Categories: battle

Polish troops took part in the Warsaw Pact invasion that crushed the Prague Spring. In protest, Ryszard Siwiec set himself on fire at a harvest festival in Warsaw. Within the broader People'S Republic period: Shifted westward and placed under communist rule, Poland rebuilt from the war but repeatedly rose against the regime, until the Solidarity movement forced a negotiated transition in 1989. At this point in the timeline (20 August 1968), the governing authority was Marian Spychalski (Chairman of the Council of State), together with Władysław Gomułka (First Secretary of the PZPR). Marshal of Poland and former defence minister. Invasion of Czechoslovakia mattered because it changed the military or territorial balance and influenced the political choices that followed. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
Invasion of Czechoslovakia mattered because it changed the military or territorial balance and influenced the political choices that followed.

Ruler at the time: [August Zaleski](https://poland-history.com/rulers/august-zaleski)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw_Pact_invasion_of_Czechoslovakia)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Invasion of Czechoslovakia](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Invasion+of+Czechoslovakia)
- [Wikipedia — Polish People's Republic (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_People's_Republic)