Forgetting 1968: Constructing the Czech and Slovak ‘Memory Regimes’ of the Twenty-First Century

Formerly halves of a united Czechoslovakia, Czechia and Slovakia have since diverged significantly in their views towards Russia and their historical position under Russian hegemony, including their shared experience of the Soviet-led invasion in 1968. In addition to the cynical politics of self-interest that can always be assumed, this article argues that these two states constitute fascinating case studies demonstrating the effects of memory, political discourse and historiography upon the ‘memory regimes’ and, in turn, the international relations, of nation-states. Understanding the processes behind the Czech–Slovak divergence helps explain divergent attitudes towards Russia among post-2004 members of the European Union.