Soviet hegemony in Eastern Europe (45'-49') Flashcards
1
Q
What were the three general parties that Stalin aimed to be in coalitions with, and why did he do this?
A
- Communists
- Peasant parties
- Social Democrats / socialists
- Stalin thought this would be more acceptable to the West than immediately installing Communist-led one-party states.
2
Q
What were ‘salami tactics’?
A
- This tactic involved the USSR supporting local communist patrties in Eastern European countries to gradually infiltrate key areas of power, such as the government, military and police. This was done step-by-step, rather than a sudden takeover, which may have provoked international attention
- Form coalition government
- Undermine opposition through arrests, purges and intimidation
- Monopolise power
- Establish single party rule
3
Q
When does Petru Groza become PM?
A
- Groza becomes PM in March 1945, representing the Ploughmen’s Front, a party closely associated with the Communists
- King Michael attempted to force Groza’s resignation by refusing to give royal assent, yet Groza simply chose to enact laws without this
4
Q
What happened in November 1945 in Romania?
A
- 8th November 1945; anti-communist demonstration at the Royal Palace in Bucharest ends with dozens killed/wounded
5
Q
What were the relations between Groza and King Michael
A
- King Michael attempted to force Groza’s resignation by refusing to give royal assent, yet Groza simply chose to enact laws without this
- Despite the King’s disapproval, Groza brought land reform and women’s suffrage
6
Q
What was the result of the November 1946 election in Romania?
A
- Communist-led BPD claimed 84% of the vote
- Elections characterised bt widespread irregularities, including intimidation, electrocal fraud and assassinations.
7
Q
What happened throughout 1946 and 1947 in Romania
A
- Hundreds of participants in Romania’s pro-Nazi government during WW2 were executed as war criminals; de-nazification
8
Q
What happened on the 30th December 1947 in Romania?
A
- King Michael was summoned to Bucharest and presented with a pre-typed letter of abdication, and was demanded to sign it
- Forced to sign as Groza held a gun on him, pro-Communist troops had surrounded his palace and his telephone lines were cut
- Parliament abolished the monarchy and proclaimed Romania as a People’s Republic
9
Q
How did the Communists fare in Italy?
A
- The PCd’I’s membership increased from about 5,000 in 1943 to 1,700,000 at the end of 1945
10
Q
How did the Communists fare in France?
A
- In November 1946, the PCF became the largest party in the French Parliament, with 182/627 seats in Parliament (rougly 29%)
11
Q
Why did neither French or Italian Communists succeed?
A
- Stalin held them back from seizing power; both parties focused on building alliances with other political groups, rather than taking radical measures
- Stalin’s interests were in consolidating his hold in Eastern Europe, not aiming for expansion in Western Europe
- Both parties were ejected from coalition governments in May 1947
12
Q
What happened in Hungary in 1947?
A
- Rajk established the AVH secret police, in an effort to supress political opposition through intimidation, false accusation, imprisonment and torture
- Nagy forced to resign as PM
- In August 1947, Communists became the largest party
13
Q
What happened in Hungary in 1948?
A
- June 1948; Communists forced Social Democrats to merge with them.
- December 1948; openly pro-Communist Dobi made PM
14
Q
What happened in Hungary in 1949?
A
- May 1949; voters presented with a single list of parties running on a common programme
- August 1949; newly elected Assembly passed a new constitution, almost identical to the Soviet constitution; country renamed People’s Republic of Hungary
15
Q
What happened in Czechoslovakia in 1946?
A
- In May 1946, the Communists won 38% of the vote and Gottwald became Prime Minister
- President Benes and Foreign Minister Masaryk both admired the West; led to a struggle in the cabinet
