| Source | The Times, 22nd August 1968 |
| Event referred to | USSR Invasion of Czech Republic, August 20th 1968 |
| Technological characteristics | Text file from print out from library microfiche |
| Description of the source | Newspaper article, obtained through Library microfiche archives of Times newspaper. Language: English. Availability to print from microfiche; copyright remains with the Times. |
| Contextualisation of the source | The Times is regarded as a conservative newspaper. This lead article 2 days after the event provides a wider view of events. |
| Interpretation of the source | This editorial article is highly critical and condemnatory of the Russian invasion of the Czech Republic. The use of such phrases as “barbarous”, “brutality” and “trickery” suggest an underhanded, violent attack. The article is also critical of the activities of Russia – on the one hand suggesting that they were friends of Czechoslovakia and then attacking them. The lead article suggests that Russia cannot cope with the idea of freedom amongst the soviet states, suggesting that it feels threatened by it.
The article is also highly critical of Marxist thinking.
There is a suggestion that Russia feels threatened by the members of the soviet bloc and has acted to preserve it’s position of power within this.
The article also suggests that Russia’s international position will have been affected by their action in Czechoslovakia with countries being wary of them
This lead article is highly critical of Russian actions and regards them as being typical of Russian action. It goes beyond looking at the situation in Czechoslovakia and comments on the international situation, seeing clear ramifications in international politics.
Through it’s comments the article suggests a ‘David and Goliath’ situation with a small, quiet country facing the might and terror of a larger country.
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