Cominform/Comecon Flashcards
When was Cominform established, and what was discussed in Poland?
On 22 September 1947 at Szliarska Poremba, in Poland, Cominform was established. Andrei Zhanov introduced the idea of two camps, stating that there was the ‘Socialist’ camp of democracy, and the US camp of ‘reaction and war.’ He claimed that the French and Italian Communists would need to sieze initiative in order to prevent the revive of German industry.
When did Averell Harriman recommend a foreign aid program in 1947?
In Washington, on 8 November, a committee chaired by Secretary of Commerce Averell Harriman recommended a foreign aid program to prevent the fall of Western Europe, and inevitably, America.
Truman campaigned for $600m from Congress to establish a plan of recovery.
What chaos ensued in Paris due to Communists, and how many were on strike by December 3rd, 1947?
In Paris chaos descended with workers going on strike outside the Renault factory, leading to Communist party member expulsion. The Confederation Generale du Travail had spontaneous outbreaks, with electricity, coalmine workers, and railway workers on strike, leading to shutdown, while garbage piled in the streets. By December 3 million were on strike, and Communists formed workers assemblies, ‘embryonic Soviets.
When was the roue from Lille to Paris? derailed in 1947, and what was the French solution?
On December 4th, a railway route from Lille to Paris was derailed, killing 20, and the French government tried to re-establish control to get Marshall Aid. On the 8th, they offered wage increases, below 25%, but accepted by most.
When did Truman’s requests for interim aid get approved in 1947, and how did this evolve?
On 17th December, Truman’s requests for interim aid to France, Italy, and Austria were accepted. He requested $17 billion to prevent Europe from falling, which would lead to America losing its liberties, but in January adjusted this to 6.8b for the first 15 months. He lowered this again to $5.3b to appease Republican majority, reinforcing that the Europeans were facing good shortages. Moreover, Prague had become abandoned by Washington.
What problems did Prague face?
How did Communists gain control, and when did Masaryk die?
In Prague, grain harvest in 1947 had only been two thirds, and potatoes half, its usual yield. They tried to appeal to the West for help, but Masaryk was told they would have to change their political stance first, and so Stalin offered intervention with grains.
In February 1948 non-Communist ministers resigned and Klement Gottwald took charge, but Masaryk remained foreign minister. Two weeks later, he mysteriously fell from his window from the Czech Foreign Ministry. In America, joint chiefs of staff developed an emergency war plan to meet Soviet invasion of Western Europe.
On 17th March, 1948, what did Truman request?
By 3 April, what did Congress approve?
On 17th March, at Congress, Truman requested approval for the Marshall Plan and the enactment of universal military training and selective service.
By 3 April, Congress apprved the Marshall Aid and 16 nations signed an agreement to establish the Organisation for European Economc Cooperation, leading to distribution of grain, fertilisers, and tractors.
What happened in Italy?
In Italy, Palmiro Togliatti, with the Communist Party reaching 2 million members, wanted to establish a new flavour of communism, and after the expulsion of Communists from government, the Popular Front rallied support. On 18 April, a General Election was set with the Christian Democrats trying to create middle ground.
What did the US government do to get involved with Italy?
The US government encouraged rich Italian Americans to contribute funds to combat communists and 10 million letters were written urging Italians not to vote for them. The CIA, with Truman, head to the NSA, approving, were given the go-ahead to start covert operations.
The CIA funded the Christian Democrats, non-Communist unions, and right-wing socialists, giving $2-3m for pamphlets and election campaigning, ‘black-bag’ payments.
