Decrees of Nationalization were declared by President Benes, where most people of German background were expelled to Germany. The CzechoSlovak Communist party seizes government power. The people enjoyed any freedoms, it was a joyful time. Warsaw pact armies invaded the country to end the Prague Spring experiment. Between 700,000 and 800,000 people escape, or leave Socialist CzechoSlovakia.
Soviet pressure increases, it is a bleak time.
1977 Charter 77 published by a group of intellectuals including dissident playwright Vaclav Havel. The Velvet Revolution startles the world. The communist government of G. Husak resigns and playwright and dissident Vaclav Havel was appointed President of the renamed Czech and Slovak Federated Republic. 1990 Economic reforms and mass privatization of businesses begin. The first truly free and democratic elections held since 1946.