Czech The History: Václav Havel

Lesson objectives

1. evaluate Václav Havel's role in both pre-revolutionary and post-revolutionary events
2. understand why the Velvet Revolution was a turning point in our nation's history
3. discuss the post-November restoration of democracy in our country

Czechoslovakia in the late 1980s lived under the shadow of a communist regime that stifled freedom of expression and everyday life. Yet, a wave of resistance was rising, and among its leading figures was Václav Havel — a playwright and dissident who managed to articulate the society’s longing for change. November 1989 brought mass demonstrations and the spontaneous power of citizens who were no longer afraid to publicly stand up to the regime. The euphoria of newly gained freedom transformed the atmosphere in cities and opened the path to democracy. Havel became a symbol of this transformation and turned the trust of the people into a role as a political leader. The Velvet Revolution thus marked a fundamental turning point — the end of one era and the beginning of a new hope for all of Czechoslovakia.

 This lesson is also available in Czech.