Cominform And Comecon Flashcards
Cominform 1947
Cominform’ (shortened from the Communist Information Bureau) was a political organisation set up by the order of Stalin in September 1947. As an organisation, it had 9 members. These members were expected to follow the rules set out by the Cominform organisation. The members were the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, the Communist Parties of the satellite states of Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland and Romania and Yugoslavia. The Community Party of France and Italy were also members. These two countries were not officially part of the Soviet Union, but Communism was strong enough for them to have an influential Communist Party
What did cominform do?
Cominform gave Stalin a way to CONTROL the governments of the satellite states. Cominform made sure that all of the rules and orders given out by Stalin were carried out in each country. It was a way to make sure that the satellite countries followed communism. This also meant that orders could be given by Stalin in Moscow, and Cominform would make sure they were followed in all of eastern Europe. Any political communication and contact with non-communist countries was discouraged. Cominform also began to spread negative, anti-American propaganda. This propaganda was then given to the members to spread themselves.
For example?
Stalin did not want agree with the Truman Doctrine or the Marshall Plan. He ordered that no other eastern European country accepted money from the Marshall Plan. Cominform made sure that each country followed his order.
Comecon 1949
Comecon’ (shortened from The Council for Mutual Economic Assistance) was another organisation set up by the order of Stalin in 1949. It made sure that all communist states rejected (did not follow) capitalist ideas. It was an alternative to the Marshall Aid being offered by America and made everyone in communist countries believe that communism was just as strong and effective as capitalism.
What did comecon do?
Comecon aimed to help the economies of the Soviet Union’s satellite states. It arranged trade between all of the communist countries. It also allowed money to be lent/borrowed between all communist countries. It also planned for the growth of industry in the Soviet Union. Each communist country had a 5 Year Plan which aimed to give all industry and business to the government to control. Any trade with the USA and other capitalist countries in the west was banned. This would mean that any goods and trade would be in the Soviet Union only.
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