Topic 6: The evolution of the Eastern bloc

Question 1

Yugoslav break from USSR

Tito–Stalin Split/Yugoslav–Soviet Split:

Answer 1

a conflict between the leaders of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, which resulted in Yugoslavia’s expulsion from the Communist Information Bureau (Cominform) in 1948.
* break of diplomatic relations between both countries

Question 2

Yugoslav break from USSR

Yugoslavia receives 1 billion $ aid from US in 1949-55. Consequences:

Answer 2

• Purges in Yugoslavia and USSR
• Yugoslavia declares itself a non-aligned country
• Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Yugoslavia, Greece and Turkey (1954)

Question 3

De-Stalinization of the bloc

Answer 3

• Stalin dies in March 1953
• Khrushchev is appointed CPSU General Secretary in September 53 & denounces stalinism

Neostalinists vs. Reformists.

• Goal of the new CPSU: to restore the Soviet Socialist democracy planned by Lenin.
• Khrushchev strategy regarding CEECs: from “Colonial” relations to a “Dominion”

Question 4

Poland 1956

Answer 4

• Big impact of Khrushchev speech:
  
  • Rejection of Stalinism and demands of political reforms
  • Fracture within the Polish United Worker’s Party
  • Political, economic and social demonstrations
• Wladyslaw Gomulka is freed and elected - communist politician.
• Real limits of Gomulka’s reformism? Hungary 56, return to censorship, etc.

Question 5

Hungary 1956

Answer 5

• student demonstration with several political demands -demonstrations suppressed by the Hungarian secret police (ÁVH).
• New coalition government. Proposals:
  
  • free elections,
  • ÁVH is abolished,
  • withdraw of Soviet troops,
  • Hungary withdraws from the Warsaw Pact,
  • Hungary declares itself a non-aligned country.
• November 4th the Soviet army enters Budapest.
• November 7th Kádár arrives Budapest as new head of government (“thanks” to Moscow) and on November 11th the Revolution is finally suppressed.

Question 6

Limited sovereignty doctrine (1968)

Answer 6

• 1964: Khrushchev is substituted by Breznev
• CEECs leaders look for greater autonomy from Moscow.
• Changes in Czechoslovakia:
  
  • gov. change from soviets to more “liberal”
  • “Glasnost”: Action Program - Economic, political & social reformism
  • prague spring
  • soviet army -> take control (WP troops) - Czechs fled = euro communism
  • 8 months
• justified under the brezhnev doctrine (considered threat to all socialist countries)

Question 7

Poland (1980s)

Answer 7

• shipyard strike led by Lech Walesa in 1970s (+ protests)
• 1978: Walesa organizes the (illegal) Free Trade Union of the Coast. (non-communist) - fighting for its legalisation
• 1980: Polish govt allows the legalisation of Solidarnosc (polish TU)
• Moscow forces Polish govt to step back and imposes Martial Law (1981), illegalizes Solidarnosc (82) and arrest its leaders.
• Solidarnosc calls for a general strike (1988) that forces the govt to negotiate a democratization of the regime.
• coalition govt between Solidarnosc & the CP is est. 1989, allowing a transition towards free elections (1990) and Walesa is elected president.