A Life in Prague 1941-1968 Essay

Life under the Soviets was as cruel as that under the Germans. The end of German job signaled a new era of political tension and economic dislocation for the people of Czechoslovakia. After the Communist coup in 1948, the Czech people were erst again introduced to the concept of totalitarian brutality. Many people were tortured and imprisoned by the state police for subversive activities. Prison camps, almost equal in splendor and brutality were erected across the country. However, unlike the Nazi experience, this new experience was never heard in the international stage.The tragedy of the Second World struggle became once again the scenery of Prague. However, much of the chapters content (pp. 93-143) seemed to focus on the hardships of the author. Kovaly seemed to have been frustrated with her role both as a adult female and citizen. At times, she complained on the governments lack of political will to guarantee the equality of women and men. Kovaly lived the life of a wealthy w oman. She bought luxurious items, attempted to constitute a foundation (for children), and sought the support of top officials for financing her projects.Because she was the wife of a deputy minister, she was expected to participate in minor political meetings, and to go a role model to other women. Rudolfs arrest turned her world upside down. Although an ardent Communist, his husband was suspected to be an ally of the West. Kovaly asked avail from Ludvik Frejka, the head of the Economic Commission. Frejka, however, refused to help her. After a few weeks, Frejka was arrested and executed along with Kovalys husband. Kovaly languished in pain. She cursed the system for its anti-Semitic orientation.She wanted to spy the brutality of the Soviet-led government, but had little power to demonstrate it. Her husbands execution was portrayed as the continuation of German tyranny (under the guise of a Communist Party). She persistently argued that being a loyal Communist does not guarantee safety, if you are a Jew, practicing or not. It can be argued that Kovalys bearish attitude against the Soviet-led regime was borne out of hatred and repulsion. The Communists had driven the Germans but failed to instill the principles of equality and humanity into the hearts of the anti-Semitic population of Prague.In this chapter, Kovaly explained the consequences of Communist loom of Czechoslovakia. She argued that the Communist occupation did not free the Czech people from thrall. It was an instrument in the creation of a new political and economic form of slavery slavery which is disguised by the principles of economic equality and political tolerance. She argued that while the war brought national shame and indignation to the country, the Communist occupation brought deprivation and invariable fear to the common people.According to Kovaly, the cessation of freedom for the sake of necessity, economic equality, Party disciple, and even for the false glory of the country, would only lead to the eventual end of individual truths truths which make individuals happy and content. Kovalys assertions are supported by many historians. For Toynbee, the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia signaled the end of freedom and individual merit. Toynbee argued that the real finis of Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia was the eventual isolation of Western democracy.The country served as a bait for the Western powers to relinquished their claim of democracy in the East, curiously Czechoslovakia. For Ozment, the Soviet occupation of the country was necessary because Czechoslovakia served as the basement of German military power during the early 1940s. Czech support for Germany proved to be fatal and convincing. Hence, according to Ozment, the brutality of the Soviet occupation was a testimony to revenge and destruction of political freedom.