In The Warsaw Pact, 1969-1985: The Pinnacle and Path to Dissolution, Matěj Bílý analyzes the internal tensions of the Soviet-led Cold War alliance as its careened toward its end. Rooted in detailed research in Czech, Polish, and German archives, this book presents much previously unknown information about the alliance’s mechanisms as it served as one of the Kremlin’s increasingly ineffective tools for managing the Eastern Bloc.

Due to the Covid-19 spreading and subsequent nationwide quarantine, all ÚSTR’s scheduled public events are postponed until further notice. We are increasing our on-line activities by organizing webinars and on-line methodical support for history teachers. We are also making available on-line some of our previously published books.

The conference focuses on both national and international context of the fall and transformation of the communist regime. Self-perception of the then student generation, transformative journey of Czech media, changes in Czech society etc. will be topics of the conference’s lectures and discussions. Date: 6–8 November 2019. Venue: Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic. 

The conference will focus on violent acts occurring at the end of World War II in the context of nationalism as reshaped by previous war experiences. Date: 16 – 17 May 2019. Venue: Karolinum of Charles University in Prague. Programme of the conference.