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This edited collection represents the first comprehensive volume in English on the crucial, but under-explored, late period in the history of East European communism. Focusing on developments in Czechoslovakia from the crushing of the Prague Spring in August 1968 to the 'Velvet Revolution' of November 1989, the book examines a broad range of political, social and cultural issues, while also analysing external perceptions and relations. It explores the concept of 'normalisation' in historical context and brings together British, American, Czech and Slovak experts, each with their own archival research and particular interpretations. Overall, the anthology aims to assess the means by which the Prague Spring reforms were repealed and how Czechoslovakia was returned to a 'normal' communist state in line with Soviet orthodoxy. Key themes include the Communist Party and ideology; State Security; Slovak developments; 'auto-normalisation'; women and gender; cultural and intellectual currents; everyday life and popular opinion; and Czechoslovakia's political and cultural relationship with the USSR, the GDR, Poland and Yugoslavia. The volume sheds light on the process of decay of the Czechoslovak communist regime and the reasons for its ultimate collapse in 1989.
List of contents
1 Czechoslovakia and Eastern Europe in the Era of Normalisation, Matthew Stibbe and Kevin McDermott.- 2 Building the Normalisation Panorama, 1968-69, James Krapfl.- 3 The Ideological Face of Normalisation: Socialist Modernity and the
'Quiet Life', Michal Pullmann.- 4 The Leadership of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia during Normalisation: Stability and Change, Martin Stefek.- 5 An Uncommon Course: Normalisation in Slovakia, Adam Hudek.- 6 The Czechoslovak Security Service during Normalisation: The Appearance of Success, Kieran Williams.- 7 Twenty Years in Shades of Grey? Everyday Life during Normalisation Based on Oral History Research, Miroslav Vanek.- 8 Gendering Normalisation: Citizenship in Czechoslovakia during Late Communism, Celia Donert.- 9 Shaping 'Real Socialism': The Normalised Conception of Culture, Jan Mervart.- 10 The 'City of Shoes' under Normalisation: Local Politics and Socio-Economic Trends in Gottwaldov after 1968, Vitezslav Sommer.- 11 Friendship under Occupation: Soviet-Czechoslovak Relations and Everyday Life after the 1968 Invasion, Rachel Applebaum.- 12 Normalisation across Borders: Official Cooperation and Contacts between East Germany and Czechoslovakia, 1969-80, Matthew Stibbe.- 13 Fragile Friendship: Polish-Czechoslovak Labour Force Cooperation, in the Normalisation Era, Ondrej Klípa.- 14 A Different Socialism: Czechoslovak Normalisation and Yugoslavia, Ondrej Vojtechovský and Jan Pelikán.
About the author
Kevin McDermott is Professor Emeritus of Modern East European History at Sheffield Hallam University.
Matthew Stibbe is Professor of Modern European History at Sheffield Hallam University.
They have jointly edited five previous volumes of essays on post-1945 Eastern Europe.
Report
"Czechoslovakia and Eastern Europe in the Era of Normalisation, 1969-1989 is the editors' fourth such volume, and perhaps their best yet. This is because the volume's authors deftly balance the stifling aspects of normalization with the varied colorful experiences of those living in the era. In this, the book succeeds in its mission ... . Such a revolution in historical collaboration guarantees a bright future for the field." (Zachary Doleshal, Austrian History Yearbook, July 12, 2023)
