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Czechoslovakia
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 Prague and most of the rest of Czechoslovakia is taken over from the Germans by the Soviets.
At the Czechoslovakian national elections, more than a third of the parliamentary seats go to the Communist party. The Communists take control of the ministries of education, interior and communications.
A new government headed by the Communist leader Klement Gottwald is established in Czechoslovakia.
The Communist take complete control of the Czechoslovakian government, making Czechoslovakia the last country in Eastern Europe to come under Communist rule.
Following the death of Stalin, the Czechoslovakian government permits a mild liberalisation of conditions.
The Warsaw Pact, a "Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance" is signed by the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Albania.
Read the text of the Warsaw Pact.
The Prague Spring, a movement led by Alexander Dubcek of the Czechoslovak Communist Party, calls for radical changes in the government and the creation of "socialism with a human face". The party attempts to liberalise and democratise Czechoslovakian life by granting freedom of speech and press. The movement is seen favourably by the West, but not by the Soviet Union.
Read more about the Prague Spring incident in this article written by the Prague Post Online.
A combined force of Soviet, East German, Polish, Hungarian and Bulgarian troops invade Czechoslovakia in an attempt to end the Prague Spring movement. A treaty is signed to allow Soviet troops to remain in the country for the next 20 years.
Gustav Husak becomes president of Czechoslovakia. He reverses all the reforms of the Prague Spring movement and brings orthodox Communism back to Czechoslovakia.
The Charter 77 movement presents the Czechoslovakian government with a document signed by several hundred people, accusing the government of violating basic human rights. The government responds by imprisoning the movement's leaders.
Read the Charter 77 manifesto.
The "Velvet Revolution", a bloodless overthrow of the Czechoslovakian Communist regime, takes place. The Civic Forum party is established as the official spokesman of the people. They ask for the resignation of the Communist government and the release of political prisoners. In response, the Communist party leaders step down. In December a new government takes over.
The first free elections since 1946 takes place in Czechoslovakia. Civic Forum and its allies win a large majority in the house of parliament. In the spring of 1992, negotiations between the Czechs and the Slovaks lead to the creation of two separate states - the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This takes place on the 31st of December, 1992.
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