In the late 1960s, Czechoslovakia experienced a period of political liberalization known as the Prague Spring, initiated by Alexander Dubček, who became the Secretary of the Communist Party in 1968. Dubček's efforts to reform the party included promoting greater freedom of expression, reducing censorship, and allowing more independence for the media and other institutions. However, these reforms alarmed Soviet leaders and prompted fears of a broader destabilization of communist control in Eastern Europe. The Soviet Union exerted substantial pressure to reverse these changes and restore a hardline approach to governance. The culmination of this pressure led to a special session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, where Dubček faced increasing opposition from conservative elements within the party. On April 17, 1969, he was officially deposed in favor of Gustav Husák, who was seen as more aligned with the Soviet approach to governance. The session was characterized by rhetoric denouncing Dubček's policies, arguing that they jeopardized the security and stability of Czechoslovakia and communist values. Dubček’s deposition signified a decisive shift back towards a more authoritarian model of governance, ultimately leading to the normalization of Czechoslovakia's political climate under Husák, which reinstated many of the previous hardline policies that had been relaxed during Dubček's tenure. This marked a pivotal moment in Eastern European politics and highlighted the tensions between reformist leaders and conservative factions within communist regimes.