Cominform, Comecon, and the Berlin Blockade Flashcards
What were the USSR invited to on 5 July 1947? Why did they claim they couldn’t attend, and what were communist countries told?
What did Moscow state two days after?
What was the issue with Czechoslovakia and how did the USSR respond at a meeting with their delegation?
What did Andrei Vishinsky claim in September?
5 July 1947 - The USSR were invited to a conference in Paris to discuss the distribution of Marshall Aid but claimed they would not attend as they had differences with the French and English. The communist countries in Eastern Europe were told, for tactical reasons, they may attend.
Two days later, Moscow changed their mind, and said the countries could not participate as the local communists declared to be against it. Czechoslovakia stated it would attend, so the USSR told the delegation at a meeting that the Marshall Plan was very uncertain and would be a pretext to form a hostile Western bloc. They stated if they went to Paris, they would isolate the USSR, and that not even Albania had not attended. In September, Andrei Vishinsky claimed the Marshall Plan was going to split Europe into two camps and create isolation, with the Americans interfering with economic and political control.
What was set up in September 1947 in response to May 1947 expulsion of communists in Italy and France?
Where was the first meeting held, and what did Edvard Kardeli criticise? Who was AA Zhdanov and what did he claim? What doctrine did he procure a year later, showing the US as imperialist?
In September Cominform, the Communist Information Bureau was set as a response to the May 1947 expulsion of Communists from their coalitions. The first meeting was held in Poland where Edvard Kardeli criticised the parliamentary illusions of the French and Italian communist parties, with the Yugoslavs wanting a more leftwing and militant line for communism. AA Zhdanov, Stalin’s former Leningrad party boss, and now ideology chief, claimed that the postwar world had been split into two camps. A year later at the Comintern conference, he procured the ‘two camps doctrine,’ claiming that while the US was imperialist and anti-democratic, sympathising with fascists, the USSR represented democracy, and wanted to fight their reactionary movement.
Describe the results of Zdhanov’s speech at the Comintern Conference in 1948? What ended coalitionist people’s democracy in Czechoslovakia?
Zhdanov’s speech triggered acceleration in communist takeover, not only of countries with fast communisation such as Bulgaria, Romania, and Yugoslavia, but also countries with a more gradual transition such as Hungary, East Germany, and Poland. There was collectivisation of agriculture, state control of press, dissolution of left-wing parties through forced coalitions, (often called workers and socialist parties), centralising state planning, and repression of free speech. Personality cults of local leaders and purges presumed. In Czechoslovakia after the crisis in Prague, February 1948, the centre and liberal parties were ousted, ending coalitionist people’s democracy.
Describe Comecon…
The Council for Mutual Assistance was set in 1949. It was supposed to allow the USSR to financially support the economies of Soviet countries, but was used to control their economics, give access to resources, and create specialised blocs, (Heavy industry - East Germany and Czechoslovakia, food and raw materials - Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria).
What did the US do to prevent Eastern European countries from receiving Marshall Aid? What were two intentions of the Marshall Plan? Why was it delayed until March 1948?
The USA could not refuse to offer Marshall Aid to the USSR, and so they made terms so the USSR would decline, by requesting to see financial records. The plan was to revive European working economies and safeguard the US economy. The plan was finally drafted in March 1948 due to delays with the Czechoslovakia coup.
Describe causes of the Berlin Blockade…
Nov London Conference 1947 - US is pro Western Germany independence and Walter Ulbricbht of the SED decides to set up ‘German People’s Congress for Unity and a Just Peace,’ but the USSR fears control over the Ruhr. Ernest Bevin therefore refused this and talks stopped on Dec 15. The French wanted to maintain Western Occupation and Occupation Statute, and keep the Ruhr occupied by the international Ruhr Authority, fearing the creation of police state as talks presumed from February to June. On 7 June, Western Germans were allowed to create their own constitution and the USSR restricted transport. On 20 June the West gained new currency so the East retaliated with the Ostmark.
Describe events of the Blockade…
On 24 June, the blockade prevented transport to West Berlin by road, railway, or canal. General Clay suggested a forced convoy, but Ernest Bevin felt that it would be wiser to have airlifts sent to Tempelhof and Gaton. B-29 planes capable of holding atom bombs were sent to East Anglia to intimidate the USSR. By Aug 2, meetings in Moscow commenced where Stalin refused to end the blockade unless the Germans had the Ostmark and were united for eventual Soviet control. On the 7th, talks broke down. The winter was mild. In January the council of foreign ministers met in New York and it was decided that there would be more discussion on Germany’s future and currency. By February the Deutschmark was the only legal currency, and in April 8000 tons, on average, were transported daily. By May 12th, the blockade ended as a tiny percentage of West Germans had immigrated to the East and they still showed prosperity.
Describe results of the blockade…
March 1948- the SED set up the German People’s Council to draft legislation to make a united German state. Peter Merkyl considered this ‘make believe constitution,’ to establish a one-party state, as all candidates for government represented the SED. On 12 October, the new government was set up with Soviet Control Commission in the East, founding the GDR. In Spring 1949 the FRG was set up with Konrad Adenauer as the first West German Chancellor.
NATO set up in 1949, April.
August 29, 1949 - Soviets detonate first atomic bomb.
