Cominform, Comecon, and Berlin Blockade Flashcards
What discussion was there at the Cominform meeting?
At the September 1947 Cominform meeting, Poland, Edvard Kardeli criticised parliamentary illusions of French and Italian communists. Yugoslavia wanted a more leftwing and militant line for communism and AA Zhdanov claimed the world had been split into two camps. The USSR represented democracy. The Communist Information Bureau was established to organise communists.
What was the result of Cominform forming?
The formation of Cominform triggered acceleration in communist takeover. Agriculture was collectivised, press controlled, left wing parties dissolved, coalitions forced, state planning centralised, and free speech repressed. Personality cults and purges presumed.
What was Comecon?
Comecon, the Council for Mutual Assistance, set in 1949, allowing USSR to financially support Soviet economies. However, it was used to control their economies and access finances. Heavy industry blocs set in East Germany and Czechoslovakia and food and raw materials specialised in Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria.
When was the London Conference?
London Conference attended by US, USSR, Britain, and France in November 1947. US supported Western European integration and divided Germany while USSR wanted it integrated so they could prevent US control of Ruhr.
How did the London Conference break down?
Walter Ulbricht set the German People’s Congress for Unity and a Just Peace, with representatives invited to its meeting on 6-7 December. A delegation of 225 were sent to the London conference, 1/3 from West and Communist. It didn’t reflect West Germans and on 15 December Ernest Bevin ended talks. German division was only option.
When was the second London conference?
A second London conference was held with US, France, Britain, and Benelux states. French feared rise of aggressive Germany so US promised to keep Western troops stationed in Germany and International Ruhr Authority would control Ruhr. They had to accept Occupation Statute to give allies control over economy, foreign policy, and disarmament in West Germany.
When did West Germany issue a new constitution and currency?
. 7 June, West Germans given permission for constitution for democratic federal West Germany. 20 June, Deutschmark established. USSR reacted with Ostmark.
USSR from March 1948 restricted movement of people and goods into West Berlin, which was in East German zone and dependent on rail links from West to send food and new materials.
How did the Berlin blockade start out ?
23 June 1948, blockade started. USSR justified this, fearing devalued Reichsmark would swamp Eastern zone. US military advisor General Clay suggested a forced convoy but Bevin feared US response so suggested an airlift to Tempelhof, Gatow, and Tegel. 60 B-59 bombs sent to East Anglia, thought to carry nuclear arms to fear USSR. By July 2000 tons averaged a day, 5000 needed to survive winter.
What discussion was there in August 1948?
2 August 1948, talks in Moscow from 3 western powers. Western powers wouldn’t reverse decision to create West Germany but were ready to agree to Ostmark circulation subject to financial control of all four powers. By September they realised USSR intended to control the currency. This had potential to oust West from Berlin. Talks ended 7 Sept.
What was the situation in Jan-Feb 1949?
By January 1949 C-54 planes were sent from Britain to Berlin, average tonnage was 5620 per day, reaching 8000 by April. 1000 aircraft able to use air corridors to Berlin at any time. In February Deutschmark only legal currency. Western exports stopped to Soviet zone. Winter was very mild.
How did the blockade end in 1949?
Stalin agreed to call another meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers, This was held at the UN Security Council, NY, with the blockade called off on 12 May. At Paris the Council of Foreign Ministers would discuss Berlin’s future and currency although no agreement was made.
When was the FRG formed?
FRG – Spring 1949 West German Constitution approved, August elections for Bundestag, by September Konrad Adenauer became first West German chancellor. The Occupation Statute came into power in September 1949 replacing the military government with a High Commission.
When was the GDR set?
In 1948 Ulbricht set up a German People’s Council of 400 delegates, March, with a quarter communists from Western zones, to show their party worked for the nation as opposed to the splitters in the West. If Germany couldn’t be unified, the Council’s constitution would be made for East Germany. In March 1949 the People’s Council drafted the constitution. It was a make-believe constitution disguising dictatorship. In May a People’s Congress was elected but people could only vote for SED members.
When did the USSR accept Germany couldn’t be re-unified?
the GDR had to be formed. On 12 October 1949 this happened and a Soviet Control Commission was set.
