The Thaw was a period of freer political and cultural life in the USSR that began after Stalin’s death in 1953 and lasted until the late 1960s. During this period, many harsh political measures, such as the persecution of political opponents and the promotion of a personality cult, were abolished. More critical publications and films, which had previously been banned, were also allowed. However, in the late 1960s, the USSR again moved to a harsher regime due to a series of protests and rallies, most notably the Prague Spring in 1968.
Stalin’s personality cult was a phenomenon that characterized his rule in the USSR from the 1920s to mid-1953. It was a propaganda system aimed at creating an image of Stalin as a genius and a great leader who saved Russia from the rot of capitalism, won the Great Patriotic War, and led the country to national prosperity. Stalin’s personality cult was created through images, statues, films, and books that told the story of his life and achievements. However, despite the creation of a positive image of Stalin, his regime was also known for its cruelty, repression, and human rights violations. In the post-war years, Stalin’s personality cult was gradually destroyed, and after his death in 1953, the process of destruction accelerated.
The Prague Spring was a period of reform in Czechoslovakia that began in January 1968 and lasted until August of the same year. During this period, attempts were made to improve the lives of citizens, reduce prices, and increase freedom of speech. However, in August 1968, Soviet troops entered Czechoslovakia and the reforms were interrupted. The international community condemned the position of the USSR, and as a result, international relations cooled. The Prague Spring period remains one of the most significant chapters in the history of Czechoslovakia and symbolizes the people’s desire for freedom and democracy.